The Birth of a World Class Steelhead Fishery
In the early 1980s, the Ohio Division of Wildlife introduced Pacific salmon into Lake Erie. The goal was to establish a salmon fishery in Lake Erie similar to the highly successful programs developed by New York and Michigan. After several years of stocking, it was clear that the salmon program had several major drawbacks. Ohio abandoned the salmon program and introduced the steelhead trout (large lake-run rainbow trout) in their place.
By the mid 1980s, steelhead were successfully being stocked in four major Lake Erie Tributaries annually. The first of these trout introduced into Ohio waters were a domestic strain of rainbow trout from the state’s London Fish Hatchery. The 1990s saw many experiments with different stocking rates, fall stocking, and fish size/strain.
By the end of the 1990s, two major developments would direct the Ohio steelhead program towards the successful fishery that we enjoy today.
First, Ohio adopted the Michigan Little Manistee strain steelhead as the
basis for it’s fishery program. Then, shortly thereafter, the Ohio Division
of Wildlife established a long-term
commitment to
the program by purchasing the formerly private Castalia Fish Hatchery and
turning it into their primary steelhead rearing facility. Ohio is currently
stocking approximately 400,000 juvenile steelhead (called smolts) into five
rivers along the Lake Erie shoreline.
The Ohio steelhead fishery, along with the other successful programs in the Lake Erie portions of Pennsylvania and New York, has garnered the attention of fishermen from around the country. National fishing publications have dubbed the Lake Erie corridor from Ohio to New York as “Steelhead Alley”. The notoriety that this level of attention brings with it can help stimulate local economies, but can also aggravate several issues which need to be addressed. Therefore, it is the purpose of this pamphlet to address the most serious of these issues: stream access and stream etiquette.
Ohio Stream Access
The most imminent problem currently facing Ohio steelhead anglers is loss of
stream access. The majority of the land along Ohio’s’ steelhead
rivers are owned by private individuals. Public
water represents only a relatively small portion of available water. The
fact that stream access laws vary from state to state serves to confuse
matters and make this problem even worse. Anglers need to be aware of the
access and trespass laws in each state in which they choose to fish. In
Ohio, the law states that without the permission of the landowner you can
only gain access to streams on public property. This includes property that
is owned by the State of Ohio, county, municipality, or Park District such
as Cleveland Metroparks (which offers 26 public miles of the Rocky River).
Landowners in Ohio not only own the stream banks but they also own
the land
under the stream. However, they do not own the water, therefore it is
permissible to float a stream from a watercraft as long as you stay in the
boat. Once you touch bottom or set anchor you are trespassing, unless you
have written landowner permission.
Private landowners have the right to restrict stream access on their
property for any reason, regardless whether or not the stream is stocked
with steelhead by the State of Ohio. If you enter that property from the
shore or the streambed without written permission, then you are trespassing
and the landowner can choose to press charges if they wish.
If you wish to fish a section of privately owned river contact the owner
first and ask for his/her permission. Owner’s names and addresses can be
obtained from County Plot Maps. These are available at the local county
engineers offices in the county seats of most local counties.
When approaching a landowner always be courteous and respectful. Explain
that you would like to fish their segment of river and that you would
plan to stay near the
river bank as close to the water as possible. Point out that this is the
only reason that you seek access to the property.
Many landowners will allow fishing, but not hunting and recreational vehicle
(ATV) access. If permission is granted
to access a
property, make a point of establishing a long term, on-going relationship
with the landowner. Stop and pay a visit from time to time and ask if he or
she is having any problems with littering or with other anglers who are
accessing without permission. Pick up trash along the river and let the
owner know that you are doi
ng
so. If you fish the property regularly, make an effort to present the owner
with a gift of appreciation at the holidays. A little generosity on your
part will go along way towards maintaining the relationship.
If you plan to hire a guide to fish steelhead on private waters in Ohio, several questions need to be asked before a decision is made. Is this guide working for a reputable tackle shop or guide service? If you will be fishing on private property does the guide have permission to fish on that stretch of the river? A reputable guide should always be able to show proof (written permission) that he/she is legally allowed to bring clients onto that part of the river. Guided anglers must realize that if they want to return to that section of the river on their own, they must obtain permission from the landowner themselves before returning. Do not assume that just because a guide accessed the river at this point that everyone is entitled to do so.
These guidelines have been developed out of respect for landowners along our Ohio steelhead streams, as well as with the best interests of anglers in mind. Common courtesy must be practiced by all anglers in an effort to keep our streams accessible for years to come.
Ohio
Central Basin Steelheaders
P. O. Box 29577
Parma, OH 44129
www.ohiocentralbasinsteelheaders.com
Please support OCBS by being a member and becoming involved. OCBS has been in existence for over 20 years, and currently has over 300 members. We are here to insure Ohio steelhead will exist for future generations. With your membership we can continue to have a strong voice, while supporting and funding programs that benefit steelhead fisherman.
Please visit our
web site and click on
Join OCBS.
You will find easy to follow instructions and membership application.
Together we will make a difference!
Photos Top to Bottom: Kelly Riesen,, Tom Krause, Bruce and Casey Johnson and Ken Harper