According to Lewis, this 1,684-acre lake is not regularly stocked. It receives muskies only if fingerlings are left over after the scheduled stockings. But Lake Milton does have a natural population of muskies and is fast gaining a reputation as a great muskie fishery.

One of Lake Milton's greatest features is the relatively low angling pressure it receives. A muskie angler might go all day without seeing a fellow trophy hunter.

Milton has several cold streams feeding into it. Fishermen targeting the water near and into these tributaries could enjoy some great success.

Trolling near the dam on the north end of the lake has proved to be productive as well. The fish typically suspend in this area.

To obtain more information on Lake Milton and its muskie fishery, contact the ODOW's District Three office at (330) 644-2293.

PIEDMONT LAKE
Located off U.S. Route 22 in Belmont County, Piedmont Lake is home to some of the largest muskies ever caught in Ohio. From this muskie magnet in 1972 came the state-record fish -- a 50 1/2-inch 55-pound, 3-ounce monster.

In 2006, anglers pulled 199 muskies from the lake, five of them Huskie Muskie Club fish. Moreover, Piedmont produced two fish over 50 inches last year.

Successful anglers troll around the dam and deep-water bays. At this time of year, the muskies will be suspended. Anglers can easily determine their depth by locating schools of baitfish on a fish finder.

The baitfish will typically be shad, sometimes white bass. On the finder, a large dark marking in the mix of baitfish is probably a muskie.

Piedmont Lake covers approximately 2,273 acres of fishable water and 37 miles of shoreline. There is a 10-horsepower limit at Piedmont, which lies one mile northeast of Smyrna, directly off U.S. Route 22. Launch sites along Route 22 are marked with signs.

For more information on fishing Piedmont Lake or to request a lake map, call the ODOW's Wildlife District Four office at (740) 594-2211.

CLEAR FORK RESERVOIR
Clear Fork Reservoir, located in Richland and Morrow counties makes the Top Five list yet again this year. Clear Fork is where the ODOW gets their brood stock. According to biologists, the number of brood fish in Clear Fork had been showing a noticeable drop in recent years and still is.

In 2005, the ODOW began using leftover fingerlings to double-stock the lake to increase those numbers. The double-stocking procedure continued through 2006.

Muskie anglers may find success on the lake by targeting the area around the confluence of Clear Fork Creek. North Bay is always a great spot for muskies, too.

Clear Fork has no horsepower restrictions. However, the ODOW has implemented an 8 miles per hour restriction that is strictly enforced.

Clear Fork Reservoir may be reached by taking state Route 97 northwest of Lexington. For more information on the reservoir or to request a lake map, contact the ODOW's Wildlife District Two office at (419) 424-5000.