Tom Cross, Author at Outdoor News

Ohio 15-year-old catches giant blue catfish, likely setting new state record

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, National Fishing, National News, News, Ohio / Tom Cross

On a sunny Sunday afternoon on April 7, 15-year-old New Richmond High School sophomore Jaylynn Parker lit a match to the Ohio fishing world with her 101-pound plus blue catfish she caught on a jug line in a little flooded creek just west of New Richmond.
It’s quite possibly the largest fish ever caught and recorded in modern times in Ohio. The monster catfish measured 56-1⁄2 inches long, (nearly 5 feet) and was as big around as a pot belly human at 39-1⁄2 inches.

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Gov. DeWine marks fifth ‘Inland Fish Ohio Day’ at Acton Lake

Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, News, Ohio / Tom Cross

The fifth annual Inland Fish Ohio Day held June 3 was a success by any measure as the numbers of attendees continue to increase and participate.
The governor, ODNR director, wildlife chief, and parks and watercraft chief, park and wildlife officials, guests, and media members were all in attendance at Hueston Woods State Park’s Acton Lake.

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Ohio DNR adds new campground on Ohio River

Featured, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News, Ohio / Tom Cross

May 26 marked the opening of Ohio’s newest state park campground. To an enthusiastic crowd of 200 plus, including reporters, community members, ODNR personnel, would-be campers, and public officials, ODNR Director Mary Mertz and more than a dozen others cut the ribbon on the new Shawnee State Park Ohio River Campground.
“Everything we do here is to expand the legacy this community has to offer to Ohio,” said Director Mertz.

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Commentary: Ohio’s new trout stocking plan will take some digestion

Featured, Fishing, National Fishing, Ohio, Opinion / Tom Cross

ODNR has made new plans for trout stocking dubbed “Rainbow Trout Stocking Reset,” and it doesn’t include Adams Lake. After the last stocking this spring, you may as well put away your rooster tails and power bait or move your trout fishing to Turkey Creek Lake, because after 2023, there will be no more trout for Adams Lake.

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