Lake Erie
Lake Erie's fisheries on the Ohio side are run and tested by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. These agencies routinely catch sport fish and other species for testing. Samples are sent off to state labs where the fish are tested for contaminants, heavy metals and disease. This information is used for conservation issues and to post for public use in regard to eating the fish.
Managing Personal Ponds and Lakes
Private lake and pond owners in Ohio manage and regulate their fish with information from the state Department of Natural Resources and through Ohio State University. According to a bulletin from the university, managing the species in these lakes requires understanding of fish growth, size at sexual maturity and how water temperature effects spawning and behavior.
Ohio River: Exotic Species Threats to Fish
Ohio is saddled with the zebra mussel and other invasive species issues on the Ohio River. Zebra mussels were introduced into the Ohio River and other tributaries about 1986 from ship ballast discharge. The zebra mussel threat affects fish species in the river, as they are parasitic. According to posted reports at the Ohio DNR website, researchers have found zebra mussels attached directly to many Ohio River specimens and fish, necessitating the need to educate the boating public on the need to wash the bottom of the boat off before putting it into any Ohio river to prevent the spread on these invasive mussels..
Article Written By Eric Cedric
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.
