By Paula Keller

Ohio is a great place for family outdoor vacations. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from tent camps to lodge reservations, bass boats to pontoons, and fly-fishing to spincasting.

Families interested in nature can take pride in the Buckeye State's natural habitats, lakes and forests. The stocking programs throughout the state have been extremely successful, and each year thousands of people visit the parks with fishing gear in hand.

The latest statewide figures reveal that over 883,000 fishing licenses were sold in Ohio, and more than 416,000 boating registrations were issued.

Enjoy the wonders of Ohio - it's an excellent state to explore. The following examples are typical of its great family vacation destinations:

The saugeye, a cross between a female walleye and a male sauger, have been stocked since 1990 with excellent June prospects in the Old Indian Lake area. Also, night-fishing near the bridges produces good catches of white bass in the 10- to 14-inch range.

This relatively shallow lake has an average depth of 5 to 6 feet.

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

Four marinas allow for easy launching; the absence of a horsepower limit makes water-skiing an option. Sailing, canoeing and tubing all add to the day's excitement. Rental pontoon boats and fishing boats are available. Docks can be reserved in close proximity to 443 campsites that are suitable for tents or trailers. Cabins are plentiful, and even an island can be reserved. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed.

Sandy beaches with on-duty lifeguards are provided at Old Field Beach. A paved 1.5-mile walkway is favored for rollerblading, bicycling and jogging. Hiking trails abound, as well as the chance for scenic touring among the many islands and peninsulas.

Wildlife programs are available at the nature center with scenic displays in the amphitheater. A wildlife watch program helps promote attention to nature. The lake's fireworks display on July 4 is considered one of Ohio's best.

Many restaurants are accessible by both land and water. A mile from shore is Brickham Bridge, a restored covered bridge that offers a great background for photographs. The city of Bellefontaine is 10 miles away; there, shopping opportunities, museums and caverns can be explored. For more detailed information, contact the Logan County Convention and Tourist Bureau at (937) 599-5121.

Indian Lake State Park is two miles north of Lakeview on state Route 235. The telephone number is (513) 843-2098, www.IndianLake.com the Web site.

The ODOW's Wildlife District One office at (614) 644-3925 can provide additional details.

Crappies both black and white running between 7 to 11 inches are available in good numbers; some pulled in measure over 14 inches. The lake has an excellent population of saugeyes, too. June saugeyes will be found in the sandy beach areas in 10 to 15 feet of water; night-fishing seems to be most productive method. Bluegills and white bass are available in fair numbers, and channel catfish up to 25 inches are taken.

The bass seem to be segregated in the lake, with largemouths in the upper portion of the lake and smallmouths in the lower portion. The occasional 30- to 45-inch muskie is an interesting addition to the mix.

The park's 1,345 acres lie three miles southwest of Perrysville on state Route 95. Vacation cabins are available, and there are 380 campsites with electric and full hookups. Leashed pets are welcome, and picnic tables are plentiful. An activity center with daily programs and special events at the amphitheater help to make vacations successful. Handicapped-accessible facilities are available.

Great hiking and wildlife viewing are only the beginning. Within a mile's radius of the park are many state and national treasures. In the nearby city of Lucas, an educational day trip can be arranged by calling the historic Malabar Farm State Park at (419) 892-2784, the only working farm in the Ohio state park system.

The 113-foot Pleasant Hill Dam, the highest in the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), is also the retaining wall for the Clear Fork branch of the Mohican River, where the 400-foot-deep Clear Fork Gorge can be found. Waterfalls and rock formations add to this natural national landmark.

The Mohican Tourist Association at 1-800-722-7588 in nearby Loudonville will help visitors plan a trip to the "Canoe Capital of Ohio," whose many streams and rivers provide invigorating canoe trips.

More information can be obtained by calling the park office at (419) 938-7884 or the main office in New Philadelphia at (330) 343-6647. The Wildlife District Two office at (419) 424-5000 can clarify fishing details, and the MWCD Web site, www. mwcdlakes.com, will provide facts about district properties.

The park's 93-acre lake, with maximum depths of 25 feet, is home to bluegills, channel catfish and largemouth bass. Fish small hooks with garden worms near logs and brush to produce a great morning's catch of bluegills. Catfish can be caught using various live baits on a No. 4 hook fished near the bottom in shallow water (no deeper than 8 feet); night-fishing seems most productive.

The Ohio Division of Wildlife annually stocks catfish averaging 13 inches for its Young Angler Fishing Derby, held annually in June. The plentiful bass can be caught with crankbaits, spinnerbaits or plastic lures. Be aware of the protected-slot length limit of 12 to 15 inches for bass, which means that only fish less than 12 inches or more than 15 inches may be kept.

This is an excellent lake for children, because access to shoreline fishing is readily available. The Lorain County Bass Club also sponsors a national Casting Kids Competition at the lake.

There are 272 non-electric camp- sites and three rustic camper cabins with dining flies available. The camping area provides a nature center with a game room, sand volleyball, basketball and horseshoe pits. A seasonal onsite naturalist leads nature hikes and presents slide shows and fishing programs.

Only electric boat motors are permitted. The marina provides rental canoes, rowboats and paddleboats. A 435-foot beach will keep the family's sunbathers and swimmers happy.

Nearby Wellington boasts of being the "Cheese Capital of America," where more than 40 cheese factories are in operation. Museums and shopping complete a visit to the city.

More information can be gathered by calling the ODOW's Wildlife District Three office at (330) 644-2293. Details on downtown Wellington are available at (440) 647-4367. More information for youth anglers can be received from park manager Jim Tuttle at (440) 647-4490.