Deadlines nearing for Castalia trout opportunities

1/13/2004

Even though the ice-fishing season is not yet in full swing, it already is time to start thinking about and applying for special trout-fishing opportunities at Ohio s Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County.

Two lottery drawings are scheduled, one for trout fishing and one for fly-fishing clinics that include some trout fishing. The hatchery property includes a half-mile section of the famous Cold Creek, a stream long popular for its stocked trout and private fishing clubs.

The fishing-only program will be open for limited anglers in two seasons for adults, April 5 through June 4 and Aug. 23 through Oct. 29, and one season for youths 16 and under, June 7 through Aug. 20.

An angler must submit an application form, along with a nonrefundable fee of $3, before March 1. Forms can be downloaded from the Web site of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources at www.ohiodnr.com. Postcards no longer will be accepted for this program.

Mail the completed form and application fee, in the form of a check or money order, to: Castalia Trout Fishing, c/o Ohio Division of Wildlife, 1840 Belcher Dr., Columbus, OH 43224. Successful applicants will be notified by mail as to their fishing dates.

Individuals selected for either the adult or youth seasons may bring two other adults and three youths 16 or under for a total of six anglers. The daily limit is five trout each during fishing sessions that will run 7 a.m. to noon. Valid licenses will be required for anglers 16 and older.

A second limited-entry program at Castalia involves beginning instructions in fly fishing. This popular program will have 135 slots available, morning and afternoon sessions, between April 30 and June 4.

In addition to instruction by wildlife division staff and members of Trout Unlimited, participants will be able to fly-fish for trout in Cold Creek. Sessions will run 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. on April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21 and June 4.

To apply for this program, send a postcard listing name, address and phone number to Ohio Division of Wildlife District 2, Attention: Linda Keesecker, 952 Lima Ave., Findlay, OH 45840. Application deadline is April 1.

A successful applicant may bring a guest, but the guest s name must be listed on the postcard application. Only one postcard per applicant and guest is permitted. Successful applicants will be notified as to session date and time. Permits are not transferable.

DATEBOOK

Today through Thursday: Public trap, skeet, 5-Stand Sporting Clays, and indoor pistol shooting, 2 to 9 p.m., Toledo Trap & Skeet Club, 3150 State Rt. 295, Berkey; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; call the club, 419-829-5101.

Tonight: Hunter Archery League, 7 p.m., Mudjaw Bowmen, 6240 Benore Rd.; also, tomorrow, Wednesday Hunter League, 7 p.m.; call Rocky Warner, 419-474-9492.

Tonight: Public trapshoot, 6 to 10 p.m., Dundee Sportsmen s Club, 2300 Plank Rd., Dundee, Mich., repeats Thursday 9 a.m. to noon and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.; call the club, 734-529-3581.

Tonight: Public trap and skeet shooting, 6 to 11 p.m., Camp Perry Shooting Club, Camp Perry, State Rt. 2 west of Port Clinton, repeats Thursday 6 to 11 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.; call the club, 419-635-2682.

Tomorrow: North Branch Boys Fly Fishing Club, dinner 6:30 p.m., program by Jeff “Bear” Andrews at 7:30 p.m., Toledo Sailing Club, Walbridge Park; call Art Raker, 419-661-1777.

Tomorrow: Public trapshoot, 6 p.m., Elmore Conservation Club, Portage River Road South, just west of State Rt. 590; call Richard Gremling, 419-729-9518.

Tomorrow: Afternoon hike, 4 p.m., Side Cut Metropark, Riverview Area; also, Friday, naturalist volunteer training, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Swan Creek Preserve Metropark Yager Center, repeats same location Saturday 1 to 3:30 p.m.; also, Saturday, making nature photo scrapbooks, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Swan Creek Yager Center; call for reservations 419-535-3057 extension 101; also, youth winter craft program, ages 6 to 8, 1 to 3 p.m., Oak Openings Preserve Metropark, Buehner Center; call extension 101 for reservations; also, adventure touring and hiking program, 1 to 3:30 p.m., Secor Metropark, Nature Photography Center, hike, ski, 1 p.m., and slide show on the Greek isles by Adele Shelton, 2:15 p.m.; also, Sunday, winter birds program, 1 p.m., Oak Openings Buehner Center.

Thursday: Organizational meetings, Friends of Van Buren State Park, 7 p.m., at Van Buren Sports Complex, State Rt. 613 east of I-75, north of Findlay; call 419-299-3807.

Thursday: Trap and skeet shooting, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monroe Rod and Gun Club, 6280 Lighthouse Rd., Monroe, Mich.; call Jim Warren, 734-243-9774.

Thursday: Trapshoot, 6 p.m., Sandusky County Sportsmen s Club, State Rt. 600 east of Gibsonburg.

Thursday: Public trapshoot, 6 to 9 p.m., Ottawa County Conservation League, Martin-Moline Road, Martin; call Bob Reinbolt, 419-855-8409.

Thursday: Public trapshoot, 7 to 10 p.m. Progressive Fishing Association, 8050 Schadel Rd., Whitehouse; call Mike Adcock, 419-897-8446.

Thursday and Friday: Public trap and skeet shooting, 5 p.m., United Conservation and Outdoor Association of Hancock County, Township Road 243 north of U.S. 224, east of Findlay, Thursday practice shoots, Friday practice shoots, plus protection shoots; call Don Borkosky, 419-427-4236.