OHIO

OHIO
Spring turkey hunting season a record breaker
COLUMBUS - A record 26,156 bearded wild turkeys were taken by hunters during this spring's three-week statewide turkey hunting season, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
The final harvest total represents an increase of 29 percent over the 20,276 turkeys checked in by hunters in 2000.
This is the second year that turkey hunting has been open in every Ohio county. Only 57 of the state's 88 counties were open to spring turkey hunting in 1999.
Final area turkey season results for 2001 (2000 totals) Ashtabula - 1,263 (1,135); Carroll - 632 (663); Columbiana - 400 (360); Coshocton - 1,003 (857); Geauga - 352 (289); Mahoning - 82 (64); Portage - 112 (108); Stark - 129 (80); Summit - 13 (14); Trumbull - 520 (515).
New boat facilityset for dedication
HURON -- State and local officials will unveil a new $758,000 boating facility on the Huron River during ceremonies at for 11 a.m. July 27.
The facility is located on the Huron River adjacent to the downtown marina.
The new facility includes a new building with restrooms and showers, a retail and lounge area, indoor boat storage and several administrative offices. The interior and exterior portions of the facility are accessible by persons with physical disabilities.
An ODNR grant awarded by the Division of Watercraft provided 75 percent of the funding for the $758,000 facility.
FISHING
Lake Erie walleyeaction turning hot
SANDUSKY - Lake Erie is maintaining its title as the Walleye Capital of the World this summer with both the weather and the fish cooperating. Local walleye anglers are touting this year as the best fishing season in a decade, according to Ohio Division of Wildlife.
Disappointing walleye fishing for many Lake Erie anglers for the past two summers was attributed to poor weather, an abundance of bait fish in the lake and lack of a large spawning class entering the fishery.
This year, walleyes from an excellent spawn in 1999, now measuring 14 to 16 inches, are adding significantly to the fishery.
Anglers are filling coolers with a mixed bag of walleyes ranging in length from 14 to 30 inches. Fishing from private boats, charter boats and & quot;walk-on & quot; charters (larger boats that can accommodate up to 50 people) have all been successful, with many reporting limit catches, often in just two or three hours of fishing.
The hot spots are concentrated west of the islands to the Michigan state line. The legal bag limit for walleyes on the Ohio watersof Lake Erie is six from May through February, and four during March and April. Most anglers are fishing for walleyes, but Lake Erie also provides excellent fishing for yellow perch, smallmouth bass and white bass.
A fishing report is available by calling (888) HOOK FISH (1-888-466-5347). Callers in the local Sandusky exchange should call 625-3187.