OHIO FISHING

OHIO FISHING
Licenses now on sale
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife reminds anglers that a 2003-04 fishing license is required as of March 1.
Ohio's annual resident fishing license costs $15. A one-day fishing license costs $7 and may later be exchanged for credit toward purchase of an annual fishing license. The annual non-resident fishing license costs $24, while a three-day non-resident fishing license costs $15. All anglers age 16 and older must possess a fishing license. Those anglers who are age 66 and older may obtain a free license directly from a license sales vendor.
Free fishing workshop
Ohio educators and others who work with young people are urged to volunteer for a statewide natural resources and drug awareness program known as Hooked On Fishing - Not On Drugs.
Through its outdoor education section, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife will host five workshops this spring, designed to introduce educators and community counselors to the program.
Since 1993, state wildlife officials have used the Hooked On Fishing -- Not On Drugs program to introduce more than 100,000 school-age children in Ohio to fishing. At the same time, these children received a strong message about avoiding alcohol and substance abuse, and how to lead a productive life through participation in positive activities such as fishing.
Training workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and are scheduled for March 7 in Springfield, March 21 in Athens, April 4 in Akron, April 9 in Findlay and April 23 in Columbus.
The Akron, Athens, Columbus and Findlay workshops are being held at the wildlife district headquarters. The Springfield workshop will be at the ODNR Division of Watercraft office at Buck Creek State Park.
Each workshop is limited to 25 people. Individuals interested must register at least five days in advance. Prior to the workshop, registrants will receive a confirmation notice and map of directions.
The events are sponsored by the ODNR Division of Wildlife, U.S. Fish & amp; Wildlife Service and the Future Fisherman Foundation.
Participants will be provided teacher training, learn how to implement the Hooked On Fishing program in their communities, receive free student materials, free fishing and aquatic exploration equipment, and become eligible for subsidy grants to help fund fishing events and other activities.
Individuals interested in registering for a workshop can call (800) WILDLIFE.
Trout to be released
More than 80,000 rainbow trout measuring 10 to 13 inches will be released in 40 Ohio waterways from March through May to enhance public fishing opportunities, according to the Ohio Department of Natural. Resources Division of Wildlife. The daily catch limit for inland lakes is five trout per angler.
Locally, 2,500 trout will be stocked in Lake Glacier in Mill Creek Metropolitan Park in Youngstown April 11; 2,500 trout will be stocked in Punderson Reservoir in Punderson State park in Geauga County April 19 and 2,500 trout will be stocked in the Silver Creek Lake March 28 and 1,200 in Little Turtle Pond May 10 in Summit County
CLUBS
Concealed carry and self-defense classes
There are still openings for the Portage Summit Field & amp; Stream "Concealed Carry Firearms and Women's Self Defense class.
The class will begin March 12 at 6 p.m. and will run for 10 consecutive weeks finishing up on May 14.
For additional information please contact: Ken Zeigler (330) 773-5701 or Bruce Knodel, (330) 872-0674.
SHOWS
Eastwood Expo event
An outdoor sale and show will concluden today at the Eastwood Expo Center in Niles.
Demonstrators and exhibitors will offer archery, fishing and hunting equipment and instruction.
Show hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children 5-12 and free for children under 5.
SKEET
2003 shoot schedules
The latest list of all of Ohio's skeet shoots submitted to date is available at the Ohio Skeet Shooting Association Web site www.ohioskeet.org/ossashoots2003.html
Shooters looking to take part in events at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Gun Club in Dayton should note that the club will attempt to host a regular schedule of shoots while international tensions simmer, however, once a shooting war gets started, shooters should make a point to either contact the club or watch the web site for information on a possible base closing to the public.
The 2003 O.S.S.A. State Skeet Championships are scheduled for July 25-27 at Wright-Patterson.
ACTIVITIES
'Birding by canoe'
Migrating waterfowl over Walborn Reservoir near Alliance will be the focus of a birding program sponsored by the Stark County Park District on March 8, from 2-5 p.m. Rather than a shoreline hike, participants will canoe around the 1,700-acre reservoir northwest of Alliance and west of Route 183.
Reservations for the program are required by March 6, and may be made by calling Stark Parks at (330) 477-0448. Information on Stark Parks' other weekly programs is available at www.starkparks.com.
OHIO
Bald eagles startnesting season
Cold and snowy winter weather did not deter the state's bald eagles from kicking off the 2003 nesting season as several eagle pairs recently began incubating eggs in four Ohio counties.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said eagle pairs in Seneca, Ross, Ottawa and Sandusky counties have begun nesting and others are expected to begin nesting between now and mid-April. State wildlife biologists expect another successful breeding season. Ohio's bald eagle population grew from only four nesting pairs along the southwestern Lake Erie shore 25 years ago, to a record 79 eagle pairs in 28 Ohio counties in 2002. The pairs produced a record 107 young last year.
Active nests are located in the following 28 Ohio counties: Ashtabula (1), Crawford (1); Delaware (1); Erie (8); Geauga (3); Guernsey (1); Hancock (1); Henry (1); Holmes (1); Huron (2); Knox (2); Licking (1); Lorain (2); Lucas (5); Mahoning (3); Marion (1); Mercer (1); Noble (1); Ottawa (14); Portage (2); Ross (1); Sandusky (10); Seneca (4); Stark (1); Trumbull (6); Wayne (1); Wood (3) and Wyandot (5).
Anyone who observes eagles building a new nest should contact the county wildlife officer or a wildlife district office. Eagle observers are reminded that bald eagles and their nest sites are protected by state and federal laws. Any type of disturbance around a nest could cause the birds to abandon the nest or discourage them from using the nest in the future.