Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine

Ohio muskie fishing outlook is "outstanding

By Chris DePaola

The crazy weather we had last summer didn’t seem to cause problems for muskie fisherman. According to records obtained from the Ohio Huskie Muskie club the number of muskie reported in 2007 were above the number reported in 2006. Over 2,028 fish were registered in 2007 compared to 1,904 in 2006.
According to ODNR District 3 Supervisor, Phil Hillman, in 2008 muskie anglers should experience good fishing in all of Northeast Ohio muskie lakes. Nearly 99% of all muskie caught statewide were released. This along with the stocking program should produce another record year. Several veteran muskie fishermen agree that fishing should be outstanding not only this year but for years to come.

Let’s take a quick recap of the Ohio Muskie program. Ohio has little if any natural reproduction. The state’s muskie fishing is heavily dependent upon annual stocking. Currently the state stocks ten program lakes and one surplus lake. The list includes: Alum Creek, Caesar Creek, Clear Fork, Piedmont, Leesville, Salt Fork West Branch and East Branch. Recently Lake Milton was added as a program lake and will be stocked each year. Pymatuning will remain a surplus lake for Ohio and will only get stocked when excess fingerlings are available.

Below is a brief snap-shot of Northeast Ohio muskie fishing:

Piedmont Lake:
Guernsey and Harrison counties (2,273 acres)
Results for 2007 were very good. 371 reported, two were more than 42 inches and no fish over the 50 inch mark. Since 2002 more then 13,000 muskie have been stocked.
The outlook for 2008 is excellent, with a good number of quality fish available. If the reports are accurate there is a healthy population of mid-thirty inch fish. This is one of the prettiest lakes in Ohio and has a history of producing giant fish. Remember this lake has a 9.9 horsepower restriction.

Leesville:
Carroll County (1,045 acres)
Once again Leesville won the title for producing the most fish caught. This little gem accounted for 642 muskies last year. 141 were 42 inches or larger and one fish was 50 inches.
Since 2002 more then 6,000 muskie have been stocked. The outlook for 2008 is excellent. The fishing seems to be good all season but it is hard to beat this lake in the fall. Remember this lake is a 9.9 horsepower restricted.

Salt Fork:
Guernsey County (2952 acres)
Results 2007 were good with 127 fish reported. Eighteen fish were 42 inches or larger and two measured more then 50 inches.
Since 2002 over 18,000 muskie have been stocked and the outlook for 2008 is excellent. This is a great early season lake, plenty of fish available with some big ones to keep you busy.

West-Branch:
Portage County (2,616 acres)
This Northeastern Ohio muskie hot spot had a good 2007 with 175 fish reported, up from seventy-seven in 2006. Fourteen of the fish were 42 inches or larger.
The outlook for 2008 is good. Over 15,000 muskie have been stocked since 2002. The boat traffic can be horrendous on the weekends so try and plan your trip during the week.
Lake Milton: Mahoning County (1,684 acres)
Muskie fishing was very good on Lake Milton in 2007. Over 175 fish were reported. Thirteen fish were above 42 inches and one surpassed the fifty inch mark. Lake Milton is now a program lake and will be stocked each year. Since 2002 over 6,000 muskie have been stocked. The outlook for 2008 is excellent with an above average number of fish available.

Pymatuning Lake:
Ashtabula County (14,650 acres)
In 1996 a very aggressive action plan was developed. Both Ohio and Pennsylvania began annual fish stocking. During the past nine years over 55,000 muskie have been stocked.
In 2007 thirty-nine fish were reported, eleven were over the 42 inches. This lake will remain a surplus lake for Ohio. The Pa Fish & Boat Commission will continue to stock 7,500 fingerlings annually. Two giant fish were captured in 2007 both over 53”. This is a peaceful lake to fish plenty of room to explore and lots of quality fish. Contrary to some reports, this lake is ten horsepower restricted in 2008.

We are blessed with plenty of high quality muskie water in the northeastern part of the state. With no closed seasons in Ohio and a first-class stocking program you could experience good muskie fishing in any of the lakes mentioned. Remember practice (CPR) catch, photo and release.