Lottery slots available to fish Cold Creek

1/26/2010

Anglers interested in the opportunity to fish Cold Creek, one of Ohio's most unique streams, have until Sunday to apply for a special lottery conducted by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

A half-mile section of the creek, located at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County, again will be open to a limited number of anglers on selected dates between March 29 and Oct. 29, 2010.

To apply, submit an application form and a nonrefundable $5 application fee. Application forms can be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or apply at wildohio.com for $3.

In related news, individuals interested in learning the art of fly fishing and practicing their skills on the hatchery's stream may enter a lottery for beginning fly-fishing clinics.

In all, 135 slots are available for the popular program, which includes morning and afternoon sessions each Friday from April 30 to June 4. Deadline for submitting an entry is April 2.

In addition to fly-fishing instruction by division of wildlife staff and members of Trout Unlimited, attendees will be able to test their newly acquired skills by fishing for the abundant rainbow trout found in Cold Creek. Anglers may also encounter an occasional brown trout.

Instructors will offer sessions from 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 30, May 7, May 14, May 21, and June 4.

To apply submit a postcard with name, address, and phone number. An applicant may bring a guest, but the guest's name must be listed on the postcard. Only one postcard per applicant and guest is allowed. Postcards should be sent to: Ohio Wildlife District Two, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio 45840 Attention: Linda Ringer.

Successful applicants will receive an assigned session date and time. Permits are nontransferable. For more information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit online at ohiodnr.com.

The Castalia State Fish Hatchery is located in Erie County off State Route 269, near Castalia.

Also, young anglers ages 15 and younger interested in learning the art of fly fishing and practicing their skills are encouraged to enter a lottery for a youth-only clinic, in which 30 spots will be available. The clinic is set for June 18 from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.

Topics covered will be elementary "bugology," nomenclature, set-up, and casting. In addition to fly-fishing instruction by wildlife staff and members of the Clear Fork Chapter of Trout Unlimited, attendees will be able to test their newly acquired skills by fishing for the abundant rainbow trout found in Cold Creek.

To apply, submit a postcard listing with name, date of birth, address, and phone number. Each successful applicant must be accompanied by a non-fishing adult. Postcards must be postmarked no later than May 14 and should be sent to: Ohio Wildlife District Two, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio 45840 Attention: Youth Fly Fishing Clinic. No duplicate postcards may be submitted.

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The Northwestern Ohio Fur Traders' winter fur auction, held at the Tontogany American Legion hall, brought more than $20,200 in sales among 45 lots to eight buyers.

Following are the number of pelts sold, and high and average prices for various furs:

Muskrat, large, 1,200, $9 and $7.53; large/damaged, 55, $2.81 and $2.50; medium, 82, $4.75 and $2.82; flat/damaged, 113, $2.50 and $1.32.

Raccoon, large, 88, $6 and $3.77; extra-large, 231, $10.25 and $7.28; XX-large, 193, $13 and $9.63; XXX-large, 286, $15.50 and $13.88; rubbed/damaged, 128, $11.50 and $3.84.

Mink, male, 45, $16 and $10.47; female, 20, $12 and $5.47. Opossum, extra-large, four, $3.50 and $3.25; large, eight, $2.50 and $1.69; medium, two, $2.25 and $1.63.

Red fox, 23, $11 and $7.74. Gray fox, three, $21.00. Coyote, 59, $21 and $9.49 For additional details, call Keith Madaras, 419-287-4920, or Craig Spoores, 419-832-1575.

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Lake Erie ice fishing - It's a no-go on the lake until at least early February, said John Hageman, an ice guide at Put-in-Bay at South Bass Island. "There isn't a single shanty out off the island," he said, and even with forecast cold weather it will take a good while for the ice to firm up since rain, wind, and warm temperatures softened it up.

Game feed proceeds - The 34th annual Gonya-Hull Game Feed, held last week, raised about $22,500 in donations to support athletic trophy funds at Fremont Ross and St. Joseph Central Catholic high schools, reports Charlie Gonya, one of the organizers. It takes about 50 volunteers to put on the event, one of the region's largest with attendance this year of more than 580.

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Upcoming - The newly formed Point Place Canoe, Kayak, and Racing Shell Club is set to meet tonight at 6:30 at the Friendship Community Center on 131st Street in Point Place. For details call Howard Pinkley at 419-343-2751.

The fourth annual North Central Ohio Wildlife Management Conference is set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Cedar Point Center of the Firelands campus of Bowling Green State University, just west of Huron on Rye Beach Road.

It is hosted by the Erie and Ottawa Soil Conservation Districts and the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service. For details call 419-626-5211 or visit erie-county-ohio.net/eswcd.

Contact Steve Pollick at:

spollick@theblade.com

or 419-724-6068.