Muskie fishing in the Buckeye State is coming of age. Big fish and good numbers of them have put Ohio in the forefront as one of the best muskie-fishing destinations in the Midwest.

During 2007, the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked over 19,500 10-inch muskies into Ohio waters. In just a few years, these fish will join ranks with muskies already being caught in the 40- to 50-inch range and tipping the scales at 30 pounds or more.

All you have to do is know where to go to get in on the action. The following is a sampling of our best bets for this month:

CLEAR FORK RESERVOIR
Muskie prospects in Clear Fork are excellent. A few years ago, the ODOW estimated that in this 1,000-acre lake, there were three muskies per acre -- a population density that may be unrivaled anywhere. Fish caught averaged about 30 inches, and not much has changed.

These fish provide fast action while boasting one of the best angler catch rates in the nation.

The ODOW uses Clear Fork as a broodstock lake for the state's hatchery program. Some of the big brood fish are released into the lake to keep the numbers running high.

A few years ago, biologists electro-shocked what would be the new state-record muskie if that fish had been caught on hook and line. But so far, that Clear Fork Lake monster hasn't shown up in the record book.

Hotspots during August are along the steep banks where the fish herd huge schools of shad. The submerged humps near the dam are likewise good. Trolling is effective in the deeper weedbeds throughout the lake.

Clear Fork lies in Richland and Morrow counties northwest of Lexington on state routes 97 and 314. An 8-miles-per-hour speed limit is enforced. For more information, contact the ODOW at (419) 429-8370, or the Clear Fork Lake manager's office at (419) 884-1408.

LEESVILLE LAKE
Leesville Lake is always among the top muskie lakes in the state, based on total numbers of muskellunge reported to the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club. (Continued)

Few anglers have topped the record of Don Weaver, past president of the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club. Weaver calls the lake his home water, and he's a common sight on the water throughout the season. In his lifetime, he's landed well over 600 muskies most of them on Leesville.

The lake covers 1,045 acres in Carroll County about five miles south of Carrollton. Access is from state routes 39 and 212.

For more information, contact the ODOW at (330) 644-2293, or the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District at 1-877-363-8500.

PYMATUNING LAKE
Pymatuning is a trophy muskie fishery. The minimum-length limit here is 30 inches, and anglers should expect to catch a higher percentage of big fish here than in other waters.

With 14,650 acres of water, the fish have plenty of room to grow. In 2006, according to OHMC catch statistics, a total of 59 Pymatuning muskies longer than 42 inches were landed by the end of November.

Start trolling the south end of the lake along the manmade structure in about 15 feet of water. Crankbaits and in-line spinners in natural colors are good bets. The stumpfields, rocks and weedbeds north of the state Route 85 causeway can be muskie magnets. Depths reach 25 feet in this area, and the fish have access to good cover, food and cooler water.

Pymatuning borders both Ohio and Pennsylvania, and a fishing license from either state will keep boaters legal. Shore-bound anglers in Ohio must possess an Ohio fishing license.

A 10-horsepower restriction is in effect.

For more information, call the ODOW at (330) 644-2293, or the Pymatuning State Park office at (440) 293-6030.