OHIO WILDLIFE More than 10 million fish released this spring across state

COLUMBUS -- Ohio anglers will continue to have many good fish stories to tell thanks to the recently completed stocking of 10 million fish in state waterways by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
Fifty-seven lakes around Ohio received a share of the 7.6 million fingerling saugeye; 2.6 million fingerling walleye and more than 600,000 fingerling yellow perch -- all raised at the Hebron, Senecaville and St. Marys State Fish hatcheries. Stockings were conducted from mid-May through the first week of June.
"The state's hatcheries had an outstanding year producing record levels of fingerlings to supplement Ohio's already great fishing opportunities," said John Navarro, administrator for Ohio's fish hatchery program.
The saugeye fingerlings are a hybrid that results by crossing a female walleye and a male sauger. Incapable of natural reproduction, they must be stocked yearly to provide fishing opportunities.
Year-round pursuit
Saugeye fishing is a year-round pursuit and is productive in many lakes or in the tailwaters below a lake dam. Alum Creek, Hoover Reservoir, Deer Creek Lake, Buckeye Lake and Indian Lake are among the waterways in central Ohio where saugeye were released.
Walleyes were released into 17 lakes, including Grand Lake St Mary's in northwest Ohio, C J Brown Reservoir at Buck Creek State Park in southwest Ohio, and Berlin Reservoir.
Yellow perch, stocked mainly in upground reservoirs in northwest Ohio, were released for the first time in an upground reservoir near Washington Courthouse.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife also raises and releases muskies, channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, steelhead trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.