The ODOW put on the work gloves in the early 1980s to find out what kind of potential harvest regulations would increase both the sizes and numbers of Salt Fork bass. Minimum length limits rose from 12 inches to the current 15-inch level, with special attention given to ongoing electro-shocking surveys and growth-rate assessments.

What level of success has been achieved?

"The presence of both largemouth and smallmouth bass in multiple year-classes should provide bass anglers with plenty of opportunities for smaller, younger fish, and the potential for a trophy bass with every cast," said Bright.

Salt Fork covers 2,952 acres in Guernsey County with 74 miles of shoreline offering plenty of good bass cover. There is no horsepower limit on the lake, which lies in Salt Fork State Park seven miles east of Cambridge on U.S. Route 22, which intersects and crosses the lake twice.

For maps and more information, contact the ODOW's District Four office at (740) 589-9930.

OHIO RIVER
Largemouths are holding their own in the backwaters and tributary streams on the Ohio River's Meldahl Pool.

The l pool covers 95 miles of the Ohio River between the Meldahl Dam west of state Route 133 and state Route 41; and pool includes Greenup Dam, which lies 14 miles south of Portsmouth.

Look for largemouths where weedbeds have become established out of the main current, especially in the lower section of the pool. The weedy stretches downriver from Brush Creek are a sure bet. Stream confluences also draw their share of bucket-mouths.

Smallmouths and Kentucky spotted bass are also present in this stretch of the river, but not in great numbers. For these species, fish the bottom structure and contour changes in the main river.

The water near this lock and dam may be restricted from boat traffic during high security risk events associated with the federal government's Homeland Security program.

A new development this year will allow more boater access to some of the Ohio River Lock and Dam tailwaters. Buoys are in place to clearly mark the off-limits areas. Additional information about this change in policy can be found on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Web site at www.orh.usace.army.mil. The best advice is to contact the lockmaster for the dam pool you'll be fishing before you go.

The Meldahl Pool lies in Clermont, Brown, Adams and Scioto counties and covers 21,700 acres.

Contact the ODOW's District Four office at (770) 589-9930 to request a copy of the Ohio River Fishing Guide, which details boater and bank-fishing access.

These waters are going to shine this spring. If you're looking for hot spring bass action, this is where you'll find it.

The ODOW offers a list of fishing hotspots, locations of fish concentration devices and lake contour maps that are available free and online at www.ohiodnr.com.

For more trip-planning assistance, call 1-800-BUCKEYE.