GREAT OUTDOORS: Panfish, other species provide prime opportunities from docks

This is an ideal time to introduce children to fishing from the ODNR's numerous public fishing piers and docks. Many species are present in good numbers, catch rates are high and the weather is comfortable. In addition to white bass, white perch, freshwater drum, carp, suckers, and catfish running the rivers, several varieties of sunfish have moved into shallow water all around the mainland and island shorelines while water temperatures are within their spawning range. Man-made structures provide nest-guarding sunfish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, rock bass, bluegill and pumpkinseeds with shelter while they are on their spawning beds. (Note: Except for one fish over 18 inches, largemouth and smallmouth bass season is closed until the fourth Saturday in June when a five-fish and 14-inch minimum size limit resumes through April 30.) Due to their habit of attacking all intruders seen as a threat to their eggs, many of these fish -- within easy reach of anglers above them -- can be hooked whether they are hungry or not. Numerous freshwater drum, carp, bullheads, channel catfish, gobies and various sucker species trying to steal their eggs are within casting distance of anglers, too. Rarer species, such as bowfin (aka dogfish), gars, goldfish and other oddballs may challenge a casual angler's identification skills. Using a simple, baited hook just off the bottom and a small bobber, all of these species can be caught in numbers sure to keep the kids from getting bored. It is a good idea to have all children wear life jackets as they fish because they may be too far to reach if they fall into the water. Safety ladders to enter and exit the water are not always available at these fishing spots. To encourage people to try fishing, Ohio's Free Fishing Days are scheduled this year for June 19-20, when any Ohio resident can fish without a license. All other rules, such as bag and size limits still apply. Dozens of family friendly fishing locations along the Lake Erie shoreline can be found in the ODNR Office of Coastal Management book called, "Ohio's Lake Erie Public Access Guide." It can be downloaded from the internet. Some of the most popular public docks from west to east include Metzger's Marsh Pier, the jetty at Port Clinton's Waterworks Park, Catawba Island State Park Pier and the Mazurik Access in Marblehead. In Sandusky, Shoreline Park, Battery Park Marina and the Jackson/Washington/Meigs Street piers are all good places to fish. The Huron Harbor West and Nickel Plate piers (Huron), City of Lorain Public Fishing Pier, Hot Waters Boat Ramp (Lorain), Veterans Memorial Park (Avon) and Bradstreet's Landing (Rocky River) all draw families eager to fish as well. In Cleveland, Edgewater Park, Wendy Park, East 9th Street, East 55th Street, Gordon Park and Wildwood Area all get plenty of use while water temperatures remain within their preferred range. There are also a good number of prime ODNR docks available on the Lake Erie island State Parks, including Kelleys Island, Middle Bass Island, South Bass Island and the Oak Point Picnic Area. Additional piers on South Bass Island worth fishing include the public docks downtown wherever boats are not present, the historic ODNR Put-in-Bay State Fish Hatchery (Aquatic Education Center) dock, and at Massie Cliffside Preserve. At South Bass Island State Park, deeper water along the outer wall of the fishing pier sometimes produces runs of white bass, white perch, yellow perch, freshwater drum, smallmouth bass and an occasional walleye. On the island docks and in many places elsewhere, there are an "infinite" number of rock bass and pesky, worm-stealing, round gobies present during this time of the year.