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Agreement keeps choice fishing area open
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Good news has arrived for anglers who would like to have about 500 ponds to fish in 2008, plus camping and 50,000 acres of beautiful country to explore.
All this will be available in eastern Ohio. Moreover, it won't cost a dime to fish, camp or hunt in the 50,000 acres.
Extras
This sector lies south of Zanesville and is known as the AEP ReCreation Land, formerly called Ohio Power Recreation Area.
An agreement to extend the practice another year recently was approved by the AEP and the Ohio Division of Wildlife. The division will be responsible for fish management and enforcement of state wildlife regulations.
The open hunting and fishing policy is a milestone in that it marks the 50th year the division and the utility have made this area accessible to the public.
Many Dayton area anglers have taken advantage of the opportunity to fish, camp and hunt the AEP land. Quite a few fishermen drive to the AEP area more than once a year. Some go on a regular basis.
While bank fishing is possible at many of the ponds, a canoe or pram is good to have at the larger bodies of water. My favorite way to fish the small ponds is with a belly boat.
For those not familiar with a belly boat, it is a round or oval-shaped, ultra-light craft designed for one person. The fisherman sits on a wide strap across the bottom of the craft with legs dangling in the water.
The belly boat is propelled by kicking the feet. Having flippers on them makes it much easier to move around.
With some 500 ponds to fish, the big question is which to try. Therein is the biggest problem. Some ponds are productive and many are not. Bluegills may be small and stunted in some places and large and plentiful at others.
Seeking advice from bait store owners in the area can be helpful. Most of the other anglers and campers in the area usually will share information.
"Generally speaking, the better ponds are the ones that are more difficult to reach," said Tim Parrett, district fish management supervisor in southeast Ohio.
Parrett said a creel study taken several years ago indicated that bass and bluegill fishing is good in the AEP. It further disclosed that the better fishing took place in the more remote waters.
If you like pond fishing, you'll love the AEP area. A free permit is needed.
It can be obtained by calling the AEP at (740) 962-1205. Along with the permit, request the free map that shows the location of the campgrounds and most of the larger ponds.
Contact Jim Robey at Dayton Daily News, 1611 S. Main St., Dayton, OH 45409.
