Ohio Mixed Bag: Angler drowns on Portage Lakes

Akron, Ohio — The body of a 55-year-old fisherman was pulled from an Ohio lake in mid-July.

According to Cleveland 19 News, Michael Ocepek’s body was retrieved from the Portage Lakes on July 15, according to the Summit County Medical Examiner. Ocepek was from Copley in northeast Ohio.

Emergency crews responded to the lake a day prior after reports of a fishing boat floating empty near the Akron Yacht Club, according to Cleveland 19.

The medical examiner said the probable cause of death was a drowning accident.

The medical examiner has determined that Ocepek was not wearing a life jacket and was in the boat, which likely tipped, by himself.

In addition to Summit County Sheriff deputies, Coventry firefighters and officials with the Ohio DNR (ODNR) were on the scene.

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New Lake Erie Guidebook Available Soon

Sandusky, Ohio — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Office of Coastal Management released a fully updated Lake Erie Public Access Guidebook, a resource for exploring Ohio’s 312-mile Lake Erie coast. This 348-page publication includes a detailed listing of all public parks, nature preserves, wildlife areas, beaches, boat ramps, fishing piers, and scenic vistas.

In addition to coastal sites along Ohio’s Lake Erie shore, the guidebook also includes locations situated on the major rivers flowing into Lake Erie. Altogether, the publication highlights 201 Lake Erie public access sites and 320 sites located along the 14 major river systems that flow into the lake.

The guidebook offers in-depth site information for each location, including site descriptions, amenity icons, trail names, maps, and photographs, as well as details on how to access the water at each site.

The updated Lake Erie Public Access Guidebook (LEPAG) combines information previously published in two separate volumes: the LEPAG Coast Edition from 2014 and the LEPAG Rivers Edition from 2013. This new edition consolidates all public access details into a single, comprehensive resource.

Free copies of the guidebook will be available to the public starting this summer at more than 30 locations in the Lake Erie coastal region while supplies last. A complete list of distribution sites can be found at coastal.ohiodnr.gov.

The full document can be downloaded by chapter on the Office of Coastal Management web page.

MWCD Touts Grant Funding Program

New Philadelphia, Ohio — The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) announced the launch of its new Connecting Communities Grant Program, a $1 million initiative designed to expand public access to outdoor recreation across its region.

Funded through MWCD’s oil and gas revenue, the program represents a strategic reinvestment of natural resource development back into the communities of the watershed to support projects that enhance quality of life and create lasting public benefit.

The program will fund capital projects that create outdoor recreational infrastructure, including trails, playgrounds, waterfront access, and park improvements. The initiative reflects MWCD’s long-standing commitment to investing in outdoor spaces that improve quality of life and support communities, according to the organization.

“Connecting people to the outdoors is fundamental to our mission,” said Pete Novotny, chief of recreation at MWCD. “This program is about more than building trails or parks, it’s about strengthening communities, improving quality of life, and ensuring that every resident in our watershed has access to meaningful outdoor experiences close to home.”

The program focuses exclusively on permanent, high-impact projects beginning at $25,000 that provide measurable public benefit and long-term access to outdoor recreation. Eligible applicants include Ohio political subdivisions such as municipalities, counties, townships, and park districts, as well as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located within MWCD’s service area. The deadline to apply is Sept. 1, and awards will be announced in November.

For additional information and to apply, visit www.mwcd.org/communitygrant.

Applications Due Aug. 9 For DNR Officers

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) is inviting passionate outdoor enthusiasts to apply for its next natural resources officer recruit class. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 9.

Natural resources officers serve on the front lines of law enforcement, education, and public safety across Ohio’s outdoor spaces.

Officers patrol scenic trails, assist visitors, protect wildlife and natural resources, and promote safe recreation on land and water. Applicants can hear directly from current officers about their work by watching this video that highlights the variety of officer responsibilities in a typical day.

Candidates who move forward in the hiring process will complete a specialized ODNR training program tailored to natural resources enforcement. Recruits will then attend the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Academy. Applicants who are already certified peace officers in Ohio will bypass the academy and transition directly into field training.

Applicants must meet requirements listed on the ODNR website.

Learn more about becoming a natural resource officer and the application process on ODNR’s website.