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partners, community members—and even Ohio Governor Mike DeWine—gathered to witness the stocking of 252,000 young saugeye into Indian Lake, marking a major milestone in this year’s fish management efforts. The fish were released primarily in the northern section of the lake near Acheson’s Resort, an area that ODNR Division of Wildlife biologists say is ideal for young fish. “We typically stock fish in the upper part of a reservoir where tributaries enter,” explained Nick Radabaugh, Fisheries Management Supervisor with the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “These areas are shallower, offer more plankton as a food source, and provide turbid water that acts as natural cover from predators. Indian Lake is unique because of its canal-fed system, but the northern zone consistently meets those criteria.” Earlier in the spring, ODNR stocked 2.5 million saugeye fry, and Friday’s event added another layer of support for the lake’s fishing ecosystem. While these fingerlings won’t affect fishing conditions immediately, anglers can expect to start seeing them on their lines by late fall when the fish reach 8 to 10 inches in length. By next summer, they’re projected to grow to a harvestable size of 13 to 15 inches, and some may eventually reach 20 to 25 inches over their typical 4–5 year lifespan. Saugeye stocking plays a significant role in balancing the ecosystem and providing sport fishing opportunities. “These fish are top predators that help maintain a healthy prey population,” said Radabaugh. “They also attract anglers and nature enthusiasts to the area, which supports conservation awareness and boosts local tourism.” To ensure stocking success, ODNR biologists will return to the lake in October to conduct electrofishing surveys, collecting young saugeye for measurement and comparison to past years. The data will help refine future stocking practices and track survival rates and growth patterns. Though the process on Friday was standard, ODNR used a mix of visible “bucket dumps” for public engagement and tubing techniques for mass release directly from hatchery trucks. “Multiple stockings over several weeks increase our chances of syncing with optimal environmental conditions,” said Radabaugh. The fish stocking event preceded the official Inland Fish Ohio Day celebration on Saturday, May 10, hosted by Governor Mike DeWine, ODNR Director Mary Mertz, and Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. It was part of a broader effort to highlight fishing in Ohio’s inland lakes and encourage community involvement in conservation. For more information on fish stocking and conservation programs in Ohio, visit wildlife.ohiodnr.gov. Comments are closed.
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