DELAWARE, Ohio — Four Delaware County ponds will soon be stocked with rainbow trout, with one new location for 2023.
Across the state, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will release around 84,000 rainbow trout produced by state hatcheries. Fish are between 10 and 13 inches when released.
ODNR says stocking lakes with fish creates a ‘fish in a barrel’ experience, with anglers of all ages able to experience success while fishing. The daily limit is five rainbow trout per angler.
In Delaware County, a new spot will be stocked with rainbow trout in 2023, the Youth Pond at Delaware State Park. The Youth Pond is reserved for anglers 15 years old or younger.
The following ponds in Delaware County will be stocked:
- Blue Limestone Park – Friday, March 17
Directions – From SR 23 and Central Avenue proceed west on Central Avenue. Turn left on Elizabeth Street. Turn right on John Street. This is the entrance to Blue Limestone Park. - Delaware State Park Youth Pond – Friday, March 24
From SR 23 and Central Avenue proceed north on SR 23. Turn right at the Delaware State Park Sign and follow the main road back towards the State Park Marina. The pond is on the right before the Marina parking lot. - Ashley Upground Reservoir – Friday, May 5
Directions – from SR 229 and SR 42 head east on SR 229. The reservoir will be less than one mile down the road on the right. The entrance to the park will be the first right after passing Ashley Road (CR 243). - Sunbury Upground Reservoir – Friday, May 5
Directions – from I-71 and SR 36/37 head east on SR 36/37 for approximately three miles. Continue straight (east) on Cherry Street and then turn left (north) on Otis Street. Otis Street. will dead end at the upground reservoirs. Rainbow trout will be stocked in the reservoir on the right (east).
ODNR says stocking smaller lakes and ponds results in greater accessibility to anglers, and more fish being caught. Fish not caught within a few weeks are likely to die as the water warms.
Anglers ages 16 and older need an Ohio fishing license to fish in state public waters. An annual license is $25 and is valid for one year after purchase. A one-day fishing license costs $14 and may be redeemed for credit toward the purchase of a one-year fishing license. Licenses and permits can be purchased online at wildohio.gov, through the HuntFish OH app, and at participating license sales agents.
If you’re willing to travel for some extra fishing, here’s a list of all rainbow trout stocking dates for the state:
| Location Name | County | District | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAMS LAKE | Adams | 5 | 3/16/2023 |
| BARNESVILLE RESERVOIR #4 | Belmont | 4 | 3/16/2023 |
| LAMPING HOMESTEAD LAKE | Monroe | 4 | 3/16/2023 |
| ST. CLAIRSVILLE RESERVOIR | Belmont | 4 | 3/16/2023 |
| BLUE LIMESTONE PARK | Delaware | 1 | 3/17/2023 |
| CALDWELL LAKE | Ross | 4 | 3/17/2023 |
| MT. GILEAD LAKE | Morrow | 1 | 3/17/2023 |
| QUARRY PARK | Marion | 1 | 3/17/2023 |
| RIO GRANDE RESERVOIR | Gallia | 4 | 3/17/2023 |
| BUCKEYE PARK LAKE | Washington | 4 | 3/22/2023 |
| FOUNDATION PARK | Knox | 1 | 3/22/2023 |
| HERITAGE PARK | Franklin | 1 | 3/22/2023 |
| JESSE OWENS WA POND MB165 | Morgan | 4 | 3/22/2023 |
| PETROS LAKE | Stark | 3 | 3/23/2023 |
| RUSH RUN LAKE | Preble | 5 | 3/23/2023 |
| SHADOW LAKE | Cuyahoga | 3 | 3/23/2023 |
| DELAWARE STATE PARK YOUTH ONLY POND | Delaware | 1 | 3/24/2023 |
| FOREST HILL POND | Cuyahoga | 3 | 3/24/2023 |
| PAINESVILLE RECREATION PARK POND | Lake | 3 | 3/24/2023 |
| VETERAN’S PARK POND | Lake | 3 | 3/24/2023 |
| COWAN LAKE YOUTH POND** | Clinton | 5 | 3/25/2023 |
| BRUSHWOOD LAKE | Summit | 3 | 3/29/2023 |
| WESTLAKE RECREATION CENTER POND | Cuyahoga | 3 | 3/29/2023 |
| CLARK LAKE | Clark | 5 | 3/30/2023 |
| DARKE WA POND W4F3 | Darke | 5 | 3/30/2023 |
| ROCKY FORK STATE PARK SOUTH BEACH POND | Highland | 5 | 3/30/2023 |
| FRANKLIN PARK POND | Franklin | 1 | 3/31/2023 |
| LINDEN PARK POND | Franklin | 1 | 3/31/2023 |
| PENROD LAKE | Athens | 4 | 3/31/2023 |
| WESTGATE PARK POND | Franklin | 1 | 3/31/2023 |
| WHETSTONE PARK POND | Franklin | 1 | 3/31/2023 |
| PIKE LAKE** | Pike | 4 | 4/3/2023 |
| SWANTON WATERWORKS RESERVOIR | Lucas | 2 | 4/4/2023 |
| BLUE HERON PRESERVE POND | Geauga | 3 | 4/5/2023 |
| BLUE ROCK LAKE | Muskingum | 4 | 4/5/2023 |
| MUNROE FALLS LAKE | Summit | 3 | 4/5/2023 |
| TECUMSEH LAKE | Perry | 4 | 4/5/2023 |
| CENCI PARK LAKE | Fairfield | 1 | 4/6/2023 |
| JEFFERSON LAKE | Jefferson | 3 | 4/6/2023 |
| LAMBERJACK LAKE | Seneca | 2 | 4/6/2023 |
| ROWLAND NATURE PRESERVE LAKE | Lorain | 3 | 4/6/2023 |
| ANTRIM LAKE | Franklin | 1 | 4/7/2023 |
| MONUMENT PARK POND | Stark | 3 | 4/7/2023 |
| ROSE LAKE** | Hocking | 4 | 4/7/2023 |
| STADIUM PARK POND | Stark | 3 | 4/7/2023 |
| CRYSTAL LAKE** | Preble | 5 | 4/8/2023 |
| CAESAR CREEK YOUTH POND** | Warren | 5 | 4/9/2023 |
| GOODALE PARK POND | Franklin | 1 | 4/10/2023 |
| SCHILLER PARK POND | Franklin | 1 | 4/10/2023 |
| SCHOONOVER LAKE | Allen | 2 | 4/10/2023 |
| BEARTOWN LAKE (LOWER) | Geauga | 3 | 4/11/2023 |
| MILL CREEK LAKE | Mahoning | 3 | 4/11/2023 |
| DAVIS LAKE | Auglaize | 5 | 4/12/2023 |
| KRUMM PARK POND | Franklin | 1 | 4/12/2023 |
| PERRY COUNTY GUN CLUB LAKE | Perry | 4 | 4/12/2023 |
| SILVER CREEK LAKE | Summit | 3 | 4/12/2023 |
| TAWAWA LAKE | Shelby | 5 | 4/12/2023 |
| SYCAMORE STATE PARK POND | Montgomery | 5 | 4/13/2023 |
| WALKER ROAD POND | Lorain | 3 | 4/13/2023 |
| LITTLE TURTLE POND** | Summit | 3 | 4/15/2023 |
| MALLARD LAKE** | Lucas | 2 | 4/15/2023 |
| MIRROR LAKE** | Licking | 1 | 4/15/2023 |
| MOUNTS PARK POND** | Warren | 5 | 4/15/2023 |
| PEARSON METROPARK PONDS** | Lucas | 2 | 4/15/2023 |
| WILLSHIRE QUARRY** | Van Wert | 2 | 4/15/2023 |
| YOCTANGEE PARK LAKE** | Ross | 4 | 4/15/2023 |
| ENGLEWOOD NORTH PARK POND | Montgomery | 5 | 4/19/2023 |
| JACKSON PARK LAKE | Guernsey | 4 | 4/19/2023 |
| Taylorsville Poplar Creek Pond | Montgomery | 5 | 4/19/2023 |
| DEER RUN-SYMMES TOWNSHIP POND | Hamilton | 5 | 4/20/2023 |
| HOME OF THE BRAVE PARK POND | Hamilton | 5 | 4/20/2023 |
| FRANKLIN PARK POND | Franklin | 1 | 4/21/2023 |
| MALABAR FARM SP INN POND** | Richland | 2 | 4/21/2023 |
| WESTGATE PARK POND | Franklin | 1 | 4/21/2023 |
| WHETSTONE PARK POND | Franklin | 1 | 4/21/2023 |
| EAST HARBOR STATE PARK POND** | Ottawa | 2 | 4/22/2023 |
| LINDEN PARK POND** | Franklin | 1 | 4/22/2023 |
| MAUMEE BAY STATE PARK NATURE CENTER POND** | Lucas | 2 | 4/22/2023 |
| ROOSEVELT LAKE** | Scioto | 4 | 4/22/2023 |
| TURKEY CREEK LAKE** | Scioto | 4 | 4/22/2023 |
| CROSS ROADS INDUSTRIAL PONDS** | Crawford | 2 | 4/29/2023 |
| OHIO CANAL LOCK #4** | Stark | 3 | 4/29/2023 |
| OLANDER LAKE** | Lucas | 2 | 4/29/2023 |
| SLEEPY HOLLOW PARK POND** | Lucas | 2 | 4/29/2023 |
| TUSCORA PARK POND** | Tuscarawas | 3 | 4/29/2023 |
| ASHLEY UPGROUND RESERVOIR** | Delaware | 1 | 5/5/2023 |
| SUNBURY UPGROUND RESERVOIR #1 | Delaware | 1 | 5/5/2023 |
| EYMAN PARK** | Fayette | 1 | 5/6/2023 |
| GIERTZ LAKE** | Hancock | 2 | 5/6/2023 |
| OHIO / ERIE CANAL | Cuyahoga | 3 | 5/19/2023 |