Bass fishing in the Buckeye State is as good as it's ever been, due in part to the capable hands of Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries biologists. Lakes throughout the state are loaded with bass, and many of them include those elusive 5- and 6-pounders.

The ODOW is moving forward with a study to revamp its bass regulations in the hopes of making opportunities even better. Their goal is to manage lakes with similar characteristics and potential in a consistent manner statewide, focusing more attention on waters where bass populations need a boost.

Here's what fisheries managers are saying about bass management in Ohio -- and where to get in on the state's best bass action this year:

DISTRICT ONE
Bass management in Ohio centers on establishing regulations that benefit anglers and fish, according to Nick Radabaugh, an ODOW fisheries biologist. Minimum-length, bag and slot limits pretty much sum up what fisheries managers determine.

"We're taking a look at the current regulations on a statewide basis to see if they're still working," Radabaugh said. "We'd like to make regulations more consistent from place to place. And we're finding that on some waters slot limits, for instance, aren't really accomplishing what they're supposed to."

ODOW officials are discovering that bass anglers have so completely adopted the catch-and-release ethic that they are releasing, rather than harvesting, even fish that do fit within slot limits!

Doing away with some of the slot limits is under consideration.

Habitat is another focus for bass managers, said Radabaugh. The old adage that "If you build it, they will come," certainly holds true for bass.

Habitat-enhancement projects are generally accomplished in cooperation with local bass clubs.

Bass-spawning containers have been placed into Lake Loramie and Buckeye Lake. Each one consists of the bottom half of a 55-gallon drum that's been filled with gravel. These artificial beds also protect newly hatched fry.

For consistent bass fishing, the best lake in the district is Knox Lake, said Radabaugh. He cited ODOW creel surveys that show good numbers and sizes of bass in this quiet, 495-acre lake in Knox County. Fallen shoreline trees and areas of stumps in shallow water have been left intact. The lake has a 10-horsepower limit.

This year, 364-acre Griggs Reservoir in Franklin County is another good choice for central Ohio anglers.

Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are available, with the smallies dominating the northern half of the lake. Central Ohio's tournament anglers have some of their best catch rates on this lake.

Spawning areas are off Hayden Road with nearby, deeper water holding post-spawn bass. Cover consists of scattered patches of water willows, rocky shoreline, a few downed trees, breaks and boat docks.

Deer Creek Reservoir, covering 1,290 acres in Stark County, also rates a thumbs-up from Radabaugh, who says there's a solid bass population with good-sized fish.

Last year, the ODOW surveyed the lake and found that well over 10 percent of the largemouths measured at least 15 inches.

Indian Lake in Logan County is a perennial favorite of the tournament crowd. Most of the bass aren't huge in this shallow, turbid lake, but a real lunker is taken on occasion.