Photo by J. Michael Kelly

Ohio's muskie fishery is growing increasingly popular among anglers all around the country. And though August is the hottest month of the year, muskie anglers keep plugging away on their favorite lakes.

Fueled by dedication and the lure of 50-inch Huskie Muskies, these avid anglers account for the majority of fish taken each year.

Some biologists maintain that the best time to target Buckeye State muskellunge this month is from dusk to daylight. But in August, muskies can be taken at just about every hour of the day.

Fisheries biologists agree with anglers on one thing: Muskie fishing is improving in the Buckeye State. And there's no reason for this trend to slow any time in the near future.

The current stocking program encompasses several lakes around the state. Ed Lewis, an Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries biologist and muskie data recorder, said that each lake involved in the ODOW's stocking program receives muskie fingerlings at a rate of one fish per surface acre.

Lewis noted that every muskie stocked is approximately 9 inches in length.

"By stocking larger fingerlings," he said, "we have been able to increase the fish's odds of survival by several percent."

Lewis also explained that the Ohio Division of Wildlife attempts to keep a running count on the number of muskies caught in Ohio waters every year.

"The program depends entirely on anglers reporting their catches to us," Lewis said. "We provide small postage-paid envelopes near the boat ramp facilities of all the lakes stocked with muskies. All an angler needs to do is remove five or six scales from his fish, drop them in the envelope, fill out the appropriate data on the front and put it in the mail."

Lewis said that the information gathered through this process helps the state determine the success of their management practices.

If the muskie an angler catches and turns in is eligible for an award, the angler will be notified by mail.

"It's really a win-win situation," Lewis said. "By reporting your catch, we can see the results of our stocking efforts and continue it in the same direction, while anglers may continue pursuing the muskellunge on their favorite lakes."

Here's a look at the best places in the state to pursue the muskies throughout the month of August.

SALT FORK LAKE
Salt Fork Lake in Guernsey County near Cambridge is home to some of the state's finest muskie fishing. In 2005, dam problems forced the state to lower the lake's levels, making it almost impossible to access the water to fish. As a result, Salt Fork endured very little fishing pressure and fewer muskie returns than normal. This should mean more opportunities for anglers in 2006 because last year's survivors will be bigger and hungrier.

The dam has been repaired and water levels are back to normal, so Salt Fork Lake is ready for action this month. This muskie masterpiece provides anglers with 2,952 acres of high-yield muskie water. There is approximately 76 miles of shoreline, and the average depth of the lake is 14 feet. The deepest section of the lake (near the dam) is about 37 feet.

There are currently no horsepower restrictions on the lake, so expect heavy pleasure-boat traffic throughout the day.