In an interview conducted by telephone on January 30, 2010, Mid-Ohio Saugeye Fishing Trail President John Stalling announced the 2011 tournament schedule and changes to the tournament rules. Stalling and fellow saugeye fishermen started the tournament in 2010. “The reason we started it was because we were all fishing different circuits, and fishing opportunities were declining,” Stalling said. “We decided to put together our own tournament series, just let the people involved decide where and when, and under what rules to fish. We thought we’d give it a try and see how it went, and it was real successful.”
He went on to explain how his organization differs from others. “We’re the only trail in the state, and maybe in the U.S., with 100 per cent payback.”
Saugeye Tournament Eligibility
All club members 10 years old or older may participate. Membership fees are $30 per person. Teams consist of two anglers, and anglers between 10 and 17 years old must be accompanied by an adult team member. The entry fee for all qualifiers is $80, and the entry fee for the championship is $160. Tournament bag limit is six fish per team. Only live fish may be presented at the weigh-in.
Schedule and Rule Changes for 2011 Saugeye Fishing Trail
The 2011 Mid-Ohio Saugeye Trail schedule is as follows:
- Indian Lake, April 3, 2011
- Lake Loramie, June 5, 2011
- Rocky Fork, June 26, 2011
- Alum Creek, July 24, 2011
- Championship at Buckeye Lake, October 15 & 16
There are two changes from 2010 tournament rules. In 2011, fish must be at least 15 inches in length, an increase from last year’s 14 inch limit. This is in accordance with ODNR size limits for saugeye. Also, in 2011 there will be a penalty of 0.2 points deducted for each dead fish presented at weigh-in.
All of the impoundments scheduled for tournaments receive annual saugeye stocking from the state. Marty Lundquist, of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Fisheries, stated that the outlook for saugeye fishing in each of them promises to be good to excellent in 2011. Of Buckeye Lake, where the championship is scheduled, he said,
“It’s doing really well. Last spring, when we sampled Buckeye Lake, it looked good, and there were a lot of fish left over in the fall. The fish from the 2008 stocking did well, and those 2008 fish are around 16 inches now.”
Stalling explained that his club strives to be good sportsmen. They make an effort to return tournament fish to the water unharmed, and to demonstrate the highest standards of sportsmanship while on the water.
“We want the local people to come to the weigh-ins and talk to us when we’re fishing their home waters. We’re happy to talk about our lures and our techniques, and we want them to consider us welcome visitors.”
More information, including membership forms and tournament entry forms, is available at the Mid-Ohio Saugeye Trail website.
Brenda Layman - I grew up in eastern Kentucky in a family that hunted, fished, hiked, and camped regularly. Although I moved to Ohio to become a teacher ...
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