Rush Run is one of the most popular trout fishing spots in the district. It was stocked with 2,900 trout. Clark Lake, just east of Springfield, received 2,500 fish.
Sycamore State Park’s pond, in Montgomery County, is scheduled to receive 800 trout on April 4.
On April 7, Rocky Fork State Park will stock 1,625 fish for its annual youth fishing derby. Contact the park office to find out what time the trout fishery will be available to the public.
Davis Lake, on the north edge of St. Marys in Auglaize County, will receive 500 trout on April 11.
Tawawa Lake in Shelby County, just outside of Sidney, is scheduled to receive 650 rainbows on April 19.
The final stocking in southwest Ohio will be on May 5 when 2,900 fish are stocked at Stonelick Lake in Clermont County. A youth fishing derby is also planned at this lake. So check for times for public fishing.
Want to be a wildlife officer?: Applications are being accepted now through April 2, for the next wildlife officer cadet training school. The Ohio Division of Wildlife is seeking to fill 11 state wildlife officer positions throughout the state.
Wildlife officers have statewide jurisdiction to enforce wildlife regulations, investigate allegations of waterway pollution, protect state lands and property, conduct investigations and make arrests. They also conduct educational programs, provide technical advice on wildlife to landowners and keep local agencies and conservation organizations updated on wildlife projects and regulations. They frequently work alone and can be assigned anywhere in the state.
To be considered for the wildlife officer cadet training school, applicants must be at least 21 years of age by Dec. 31, 2018 and have a valid driver’s license. An associate degree or completion of an undergraduate core program in fish and/or wildlife management, criminal justice, environmental law enforcement or related fields is required by June 1, 2018.
Applicants must also be able to perform the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Program’s approved fitness testing entry standards for new recruits at the 30th percentile, be able to swim 100 yards in 5 minutes or less, and tread water for a minimum of 5 minutes. These standards are approved by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC).
To obtain more information, go to wildohio.gov/wildohiocareers, and to apply, go to careers.ohio.gov.
Boater safety course: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering a 13-session boater safety course at Fairmont High School.
”It’s the best overall basic course around,” said the Auxiliary’s David Friedman. “Yes, you can take an eight-hour seminar, but that only scratches the surface. Yes, they both meet all of Ohio’s standards. But if you are going to be on the water for any length of time, this is where you really need to start. Anyone interested can contact me either at (937) 293-4131 or at davidboat@woh.rr.com.”
Statewide hearings: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has announced an update to the upcoming statewide fish and game public hearings, now April 23 at 2:30 p.m. The hearings will be held at the Wildlife's District One office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus. Copies of the public hearing notices are available at registerofohio.state.oh.us.
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