FISHING

FISHING
Lake Sturgeon stillsurprising experts
SANDUSKY - Recent sightings of juvenile Lake Erie sturgeon hold promise for the endangered species, according to state wildlife biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Due to overfishing in the mid-1800s, sightings of Lake Erie sturgeon declined and the fish was nearly lost from the Great Lakes. Yet recent observations and catches of this prehistoric-looking fish have wildlife biologists hoping for a reversal in the lake sturgeons diminished presence in Lake Erie.
Last October, a perch angler caught an especially noteworthy sturgeon north of the Portage River mouth in western Lake Erie - a 7-inch fish. ODNR experts said the fish spawned last spring - may be a good indication that sturgeon are reproducing in Erie.
Lake sturgeon, Ohio's largest fish species, can exceed more than 6 feet in length and weigh more than 200 pounds. They have no scales, but instead have bony plates along the back, sides and belly. They have a distinctive shark-like tail, long, pointed snout, and four long barbels (used to locate prey) in front of a suction-like mouth. The upper body ranges from olive to gray, graduating to a yellow or milky white belly.
ODNR cooperates in an interagency tagging study to collect information on sturgeon populations in Lake Erie and connecting waterways in the lower Great Lakes. Since 1995, more than 4,000 sturgeon have been tagged. Recaptures of these highly migratory fish will help biologists learn more about the population, migration movements and possible spawning grounds.
This year, 21 sturgeon were reported in Ohio waters of Lake Erie.
Sturgeon are a state endangered fish. Anyone who catches a lake sturgeon should release it back into the water immediately and report it to the ODNR Division of Wildlife at (419) 625-8062 or (800) WILDLIFE. Helpful information would include the date and place of the observation, length of the fish, any tag information, and a photograph if possible.
Licenses now available
Fishing license and trout stamps are always a great bargain. But if you purchase your 2002 fishing license and trout stamp this month, you'll be able to fish during thirteen months for the price of an annual license and trout stamp - a 2002 fishing license and trout stamp purchased during December 2001 is valid from the date of purchase all the way to Dec. 31, 2002.
Visit one of nearly 1,600 fishing license issuing agents in December or order an & quot;instant & quot; 2001 fishing license and trout stamp online at The Outdoor Shop.
HUNTING
Disabled huntershost special event
A special group of hunters will soon hit the Alabama woods. Special because they are disabled -- and special because they don't let their disabilities keep them from enjoying outdoor opportunities that regular hunters take for granted.
Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF, an outreach program of the National Wild Turkey Federation, is hosting its 4th Annual Ultimate Team Up event in Union Springs, Ala. During the weekend of Dec. 13-16, over 80 disabled individuals will have the opportunity to hunt deer, create lasting friendships and enjoy an exciting and memorable outdoor experience. Field activities will include:
Shooting activities such as shotguns, pistols, rifles, air guns, muzzleloaders and more.
For more information on Ultimate Team Up or Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF, contact Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF Regional Coordinator Pam Morgan at (334) 877-4496 or National Coordinator Kirk Thomas at 1-800-THE-NWTF.
Preliminary bear figures
HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Game Commission today announced that hunters came up slightly short in their efforts to establish a new state record bear harvest in the recently concluded three-day bear season.
& quot;Our preliminary bear harvest figures show hunters took 3,060 bears in the three-day season held last week, & quot; said Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross. & quot;It marks only the second time bear hunters have harvested 3,000 or more bears in a three-day season, and both harvests occurred in the past two seasons. & quot;
The Pennsylvania bear harvest record was set in 2000 when hunters harvested 3,075 bears. It shattered a previous state high of 2,598 bears set by hunters in 1998.
The best preliminary regional harvest was reported in the Northcentral Region, where 1,416 bears were taken. That compares with 1,526 in 2000. Other region totals were as follows: Northeast, 703 (814); Northwest, 304 (231); Southwest, 275 (232); Southcentral, 268 (213); and Southeast, 94 (54).
Report violations
Ohioans are encouraged to help enforce state wildlife laws by reporting alleged or known wildlife violations to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Turn-In-A-Poacher (TIP) program.
The TIP program allows Ohioans to call a toll free number from anywhere in the state to report wildlife violations. Calls regarding wildlife violations can be placed anonymously at 1-800-POACHER (800-762-2437).