The recent warnings for people to stay off the lake should be lifted by the October waterfowl hunting season. Cooler water should eliminate the problem with toxins.
“We will hold the drawing as scheduled,” said Dave Kohler of the Xenia office of the Division of Wildlife. “If there happen to still be warnings when waterfowl hunting begins, then the only thing people will be out is the time they spent going to the drawing.
“If the warnings delay the time a person has to construct a blind, then the time period will be adjusted.”
He said the lake problems should have little or no effect on the birds, especially since many will be migratory.
The drawing will be held at 8 a.m. Applicants should show up at 7:30 a.m. to sign up. For more information, call (937) 372-9261.
Hatchery problems considered minimal
The state fish hatchery at Grand Lake St. Marys has traditionally taken water out of the lake to fill and maintain its ponds. But with the lake pronounced temporarily unsafe because of toxins from the blue-green algae blooms, hatchery officials have had to rethink their procedures.
“Fortunately we filled our ponds early in the spring when the lake water was clear — in fact it was extra-clean,” said Elmer Heyob, administrator for state hatcheries, based in Columbus.
He said lately any water needed to top off the ponds has been pumped from a nearby quarry. They are also considering putting in a well large enough to fill ponds.
“But once the lake is tested and cleared we have no problem using lake water. When it’s hot like it has been this summer, we always have to worry about dissolved oxygen in the lake, but that’s normal,” Heyob said.
Short shots
Canceled:
According to the Ohio State Parks website, the annual Governors Cup Regatta at Grand Lake St. Marys, scheduled for Aug. 21, has been canceled due to the toxic water conditions.
Youth derby: A youth fishing derby is scheduled for Saturday at the Kiser Lake State Park marina, 4370 Kiser Lake Road, in Champaign County. It will be held on the following schedule: Ages 13-17, 9 a.m. to noon; ages 7-12, 10 to noon; ages 1-6, 11 to noon. There will be a free lunch for kids at noon. For information, call (937) 362-3565.
Bass champ: Mike Emerick of Piqua won the recent Miami Valley Bass Masters tournament at O'Shaughnessy Reservoir. He had a three-fish total of 5 pounds, 9 ounces, including Big Bass at 3.6 pounds. Second place went to Bob Lyons of Piqua at 4 pounds, 6 ounces. Third place went to Scott Foureman of Bradford with 4 pounds, 4 ounces. Anyone interested in joining the club can find information at miamivalleybass.com.
Outdoors columnist Jim Morris can be reached through his website at www.tinyurl.com/ylh2rol or by e-mail at sports@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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