(Belmont County), 2,270 acres, 10 h.p. motor limit
Bluegill - Bluegill sunfish of acceptable quality (6-8") and of moderate abundance. OUTLOOK - GOOD
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass - Largemouth bass are in high numbers and exhibit a good range of year classes. The smallmouth bass fishery continues to provide quality catches during spring and fall. The quality of the black bass fishing is significantly better than the 1983 results. A statewide 12" minimum length limit on black bass at lakes larger than 500 acres applies at this water area. OUTLOOK - EXCELLENT
Channel Catfish - The population has several year classes (10-24") with many reports of 10-15 lb. catches. OUTLOOK - EXCELLENT
Walleye, Saugeye - Individual Walleye up to 14 lbs. have been sampled. Saugeye were stocked in 1989 to elevate survival and utilization of this lake's percid fishery. The introduction of Saugeye versus Walleye has indicated a significant benefit to percid anglers and good utilization by crappie anglers based upon the comparison of the angler surveys of 1983 versus 1993. OUTLOOK - EXCELLENT
Muskellunge - Muskellunge up to 42 lbs. have been sampled by netting. excellent year classes of this species are moving into the harvestable range. OUTLOOK - EXCELLENT
COMMENTS - Approximately 32 tons of clay tile were placed to develop 5 "reef" areas. Also, 225 shoreline trees were felled as fish attractors. Approximately 1,200 Christmas trees were placed at designated sites within 7-15 ft. of water during February and March 1992 as fish concentration devices. Flathead catfish and crappie occur in low to moderate numbers providing the anglers of Piedmont Lake with additional sportfish.
SALT FORK LAKE (Guernsey County), 2,995 acres, unlimited h.p.
Bluegill, Redear - Bluegill sunfish are of fair to good quality (5 1/2 - 7"). The occurrence of redear sunfish is increasing in quality. OUTLOOK - GOOD
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass - The presence of both largemouth and smallmouth bass in multiple year classes should provide a more diverse sport fishery to the black bass angler. An intensive electrofishing survey in spring 1991 to monitor the black bass population and assess the need for regulation modifications has resulted in the implementation of a 15" minimum length limit which began March 1, 1992. OUTLOOK - EXCELLENT
Channel Catfish - The "cat" fishery continues to be a reliable source for angling opportunities. The population has multiple year classes with many individuals at 12-15 lbs. OUTLOOK - EXCELLENT
Walleye - Recent netting surveys indicate several year classes (8-30") with individuals weighing up to 14 lbs. OUTLOOK - GOOD
Muskellunge - The spring survey indicated a good population of muskies. This fishery continues to improve with each stocking. OUTLOOK - EXCELLENT
COMMENTS - Approximately 3,320 Christmas trees were placed as fish concentration devices during January-March 1990, 1991, and 1995. Approximately 625 Christmas trees were placed in January-March 1997. Flathead catfish and crappie occur in low to moderate numbers for an additional challenge to anglers.
SENECA LAKE (Noble and Guernsey counties), 3,550 acres, 165 h.p. motor limit
Bluegill - This sunfish is moderately to heavily populated with a sizeable percentage of the population being 6-8" in size. OUTLOOK - GOOD
Largemouth Bass - The electrofishing survey in the spring of 1995 indicated numerous quality size fish. Several individuals were greater than 20" and weighed in excess of 6 lbs. A 15" minimum length limit on black bass is in effect at this location. OUTLOOK - EXCELLENT
Channel Catfish - The channel "cat" fishery is dependable for many shoreline anglers at this location. The catfish population is extensive and has multiple year classes (8 1/2-33"). The weight of a specimen sampled in 1982 was equal to the current state record (approximately 30 lbs.). OUTLOOK - EXCELLENT
Walleye - The Walleye population has improved based on netting surveys. The numerous young Walleye sampled at Seneca Lake should provide continued increases in angling opportunities. Individual fish up to 30" were recorded. OUTLOOK - GOOD
Striped Bass - The population of this sport fish is expanding due to annual stockings. A 1-fish daily limit with a 26" minimum length limit went into effect March 1, 1995. Individuals up to 38" were recorded in 1994. OUTLOOK - GOOD
COMMENTS - Smallmouth bass, crappie, and flathead catfish occur in limited numbers to provide the anglers of Seneca Lake with additional bonuses. Approximately 600 Christmas trees are to be placed during February - March 1996. Christmas trees were placed as fish concentration devices during January-March 1993. An angler survey was conducted in 1994 to assess changes from the results of the 1984 survey. An electrofishing survey was conducted in spring 1995 to evaluate the black bass population. Elevating the black bass minimum length limit from 12" to 15" was recommended and approved.