A pair of Lima area bass anglers finished among the top 20 in last Saturday’s Michigan Division tournament of Major League Fishing’s (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) on Lake St. Clair.
Zach Maisch, of Lima, was 17th while Matt Elkins, of Spencerville, was 18th in the boater category. Maisch had a five-bass limit that weighed 20 pounds while Elkins also had a five-bass limit that weighed 19 pounds, 14 ounces.
The two are among the top 40 in the points standings along with Wilson Burton, of Findlay, after two tournaments. Elkins is 23rd, Burton is 32nd and Maisch is 36th.
The next three tourneys in the division will be held on the Detroit River. Two will be on consecutive days (Aug. 27 and 28) and the final one a two-day event on Sept. 24-25.
Rockford’s Dick Shaffer is 13th in the boater points standings in the Hoosier Division. He finished 65th on Lake Monroe, near Bloomington, Indiana, last Saturday.
The next Hoosier event is slated for Aug. 6 on the Ohio River at Rocky Point out of Cannelton, Indiana.
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The Ohio Wildlife Council (OWC) could approve a proposal to allow a maximum of three lines while fishing statewide during its next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 10. If the eight-member council approves the proposal, it would take effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
The council received the proposal at its July meeting where it received proposals that would change the special catfish regulations at Hoover Reservoir and one that would specify that an annual shooting range permit would expire one year from the date of issue. Those proposals also with others can be found at wildohio.gov.
Using a maximum of three fishing lines already is legal in parts of Ohio. The latest proposal would streamline fishing regulations. Areas where anglers currently may use three rods and reels include the Lake Erie Sport Fishing District, Ohio River fishing units, and Pymatuning Lake.
The OWC is an eight-member board that approves all Ohio Division of Wildlife (DOW) proposed rules and regulations. Its meetings are held virtually and are open to the public on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. According to the DOW, individuals interested in providing comments are asked to register by calling 614-265-6304 at least two days prior to the meeting. All comments are required to be three minutes or less.
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Sign-up for the 27th annual catfish tournament, scheduled for Aug. 4-7 from noon-noon, on Indian Lake got underway July 14.
Entry fee is $20 and features a 100% payout. It is being hosted by Gene’s Marine Bait and Tackle. People may sign up there or at Mike’s Bait & Tackle and Lakeside Pro Bass. They may also sign up at Moundwood in Indian Lake State park beginning at 12 p.m. on Aug. 4. All placing winners are subject to a polygraph. For additional information, contact Tosh Collins at 937-404-8845.
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The Operation Dry Water over the July 4 weekend that was a crackdown of law enforcement agencies, resulted in hundreds of safety warnings on Ohio waters.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) had 85 officers working Ohio waters that weekend and they issued 37 boating citations and 447 safety warnings. Among those citations were four for boating under the influence. The highest blood alcohol content was .167. Some results are pending upon lab testing. To be cited for a BUI, one must have a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or above.
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The ODNR is looking for natural resources officer candidates. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 14.
The agency says All applicants must hold a valid driver’s license, be 21 years old upon completion of the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course and be a United States citizen.
Candidates will attend an in-residence training academy for general law enforcement training on a variety of topics including criminal laws, court conduct, search and seizure, investigative skills, and patrolling and enforcement techniques.
Successful applicants will begin their NRO academy training in February 2023. The training will last approximately six months.
Some specific requirements include:
Completing an associate core program in natural resources area (e.g., parks and recreation, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, environmental, conservation biology, natural science) or criminal justice/law enforcement
Must have the ability to continuously swim 300 yards in 12 minutes or less, continuously tread water for five minutes and perform a surface dive and retrieve object in a minimum of five feet of water from water treading position.
To learn more about becoming a natural resources officer, go to ohiodnr.gov and look under becoming an Ohio Resources Officer.
