Ottawa Outdoors - The Beacon | Port Clinton News, Marblehead News, Oak Harbor News, Lake Erie Islands News

OSWCD Women in Conservation taking registration

Punt boat rides at Winous Point in 2012 series

The Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District “Women in Conservation Series” is starting soon. The series will be held in various locations in Ottawa County from 5:30 p.m.– 8 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from April through September. The first workshop will be on April 17th at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most popular spots in America for bird watching. Staff from the refuge will lead the group on a bird tour through different habitats ranging from forest to marsh.

Castalia State Fish Hatcheryoffers controlled trout fishing

A half-mile section of Cold Creek at Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County will be open to a limited number of anglers on selected dates for controlled trout fishing, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Controlled trout fishing is offered by the ODNR Division of Wildlife at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery from May 6-Nov. 29. No weekend or holiday fishing is available. Anglers interested in this event must apply online and pay a non-refundable $3 application fee from March 1-31 in order to be eligible for a random drawing. Applicants can apply at www.wildohio.com.

Boating Safety Class to be held at Coast Guard Station

US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 16-12 will be conducting the About Boating Safely Class at the US Coast Guard Station Marblehead, 606 Prairie Street, Marblehead, on Saturday, March 16.

This one-day program, from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 pm, is open to the public. A tour of the station will also be offered to all participants.

Ohio enjoys another record year for boat registrations

The number of Ohio boat registrations reached a record high for a fourth consecutive year in 2012, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

The ODNR Division of Watercraft, which oversees the registration and titling of all Ohio recreational watercraft, announced that a record 435,310 boats were registered in 2012, surpassing the previous record of 426,674 reported in 2011.

New Ohio Bass fishing regulations now in effect

New statewide and specific site bass fishing regulations are now in effect for the 2013-2014 license year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).