Ohio Mixed Bag: Improvements planned at Harrison Lake

Columbus — The North and South Campgrounds at Harrison Lake State Park are set to undergo a transformation, with improvements designed to upgrade visitor amenities and ensure long-term safety.

To make way for these upgrades, the Ohio DNR (ODNR) will temporarily close these areas of the park. Although the park’s two main campgrounds will be closed, visitors can still enjoy the day-use portion of the park. That includes the beach, lake, boat docks, south-side primitive campground, and shelter houses, which remain open for use and reservations.

The planned improvements for the North Campground include converting 65 of the 126 electric sites to full hookup sites, reconstructing the dump station, and demolishing and rebuilding the shower house. This campground is expected to reopen in October. At the South Campground, seven of the full hookup sites will be converted into pull-through sites, with reopening anticipated in June.

Once part of a vast wetland, Harrison Lake State Park showcases natural charm with opportunities to spot shorebirds, songbirds, amphibians, and small mammals. In addition to camping, visitors can enjoy boating, swimming, picnicking, and hiking, while nearby historic sites like Sauder Village add a touch of history to the experience.

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Bill Would Reduce Senior License Fees

Columbus — State Reps. David Thomas (R-Jefferson) and Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) introduced legislation recently to correct what appears to be an oversight in discounts given to seniors for their hunting, fishing, fur trapping, and other sportsmen licenses. The representatives’ Seniors Sportsmen Fairness Act would reduce the age of senior discounted licenses for outdoor recreation in Ohio from 66 to 65.

The idea came to Rep. Thomas on his first day in office when a constituent messaged him to say he had turned 65 and was excited to get a discount license but then was disappointed upon hearing the age was 66.

“We did research and of the nine age discount programs in Ohio Revised Code, this was the only one above 65,” said Thomas. “It just made sense and we’re honored with nearly 30 cosponsors.”

The discount for fishing licenses lowers the traditional $25 resident license to $10 for seniors and hunting discount lowers the regular adult cost from $19 to $10.

Ohio does not grant free licenses due to the ability to pull down federal conservation dollars for every license sold at a certain cost, according to Thomas.

The bill has not yet been assigned a committee, however Reps.

Deeter and Thomas believe quick action can be made soon on this legislation.

Bass Classic Coming Back To Knoxville

Birmingham, Ala. — The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing is making its way back to one of the most electrifying destinations in the sport. B.A.S.S. officials announced recently that the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic will return to Knoxville, Tenn., for the third time on March 13-15, 2026.

With competition set on the Tennessee River’s Fort Loudoun and Tellico lakes, daily weigh-ins will take place at the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in downtown Knoxville. The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, featuring more than 200 exhibitors, will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center and World’s Fair Exhibition Hall, offering over 250,000 square feet of event space.

The 2026 Bassmaster Classic will feature 58 of the world’s top bass anglers, who will earn their spots through the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Bassmaster College Classic Bracket, and the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship. These elite competitors will battle for a $300,000 first-place prize.

Clarification: Salt Fork Drilling Fire

Columbus — A story which appeared in the Feb. 14 print edition of Ohio Outdoor News and on the newspaper’s website regarding an oil and gas rig fire at Salt Fork State Park in December incorrectly implied the drilling rig was located on park property and was extracting minerals from beneath park property.

The rig was not on park property and was extracting minerals from beneath land outside the park, according to the ODNR.

– Jane Beathard