Visiting the Ohio DNR

While the Northern Opens anglers practiced, B.A.S.S. staff visited the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

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While the anglers were on Lake Erie for the last practice day of the final Bass Pro Shops Northern Open of the season, the B.A.S.S. tournament staff visited the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
While the anglers were on Lake Erie for the last practice day of the final Bass Pro Shops Northern Open of the season, the B.A.S.S. tournament staff visited the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
B.A.S.S. has worked with them for at least the past decade as they research fish management and conservation for Ohio fisheries.
B.A.S.S. has worked with them for at least the past decade as they research fish management and conservation for Ohio fisheries.
The B.A.S.S. tournament staff has been to Sandusky, Ohio, numerous times for Bassmaster Opens.
The B.A.S.S. tournament staff has been to Sandusky, Ohio, numerous times for Bassmaster Opens.
The aquarium in their lobby holds numerous types of fish that they test at the facility.
The aquarium in their lobby holds numerous types of fish that they test at the facility.
The informational meeting is about to start.
The informational meeting is about to start.
A poster on the wall shows the species that swim in Lake Erie’s waters.
A poster on the wall shows the species that swim in Lake Erie’s waters.
But smallmouth and largemouth are the targets this week for the Opens anglers.
But smallmouth and largemouth are the targets this week for the Opens anglers.
Tournament manager Chris Bowes touched on some popular talking points.
Tournament manager Chris Bowes touched on some popular talking points.
A slideshow presentation contained information on the Ohio DNR’s findings over the last decade.
A slideshow presentation contained information on the Ohio DNR’s findings over the last decade.
Chris Vandergoot is a Fisheries Biology Supervisor, and he breaks down the impact of gobies on Lake Erie.
Chris Vandergoot is a Fisheries Biology Supervisor, and he breaks down the impact of gobies on Lake Erie.
Regulations placed on the smallmouth harvest in Lake Erie have impacted the population in the region.
Regulations placed on the smallmouth harvest in Lake Erie have impacted the population in the region.
Jeff Tyson, a Lake Erie Program Administrator, breaks down his findings as well.
Jeff Tyson, a Lake Erie Program Administrator, breaks down his findings as well.
I also stumbled upon this gem on one of the tables in the office. Some light reading of this magazine can teach you quite a bit.
I also stumbled upon this gem on one of the tables in the office. Some light reading of this magazine can teach you quite a bit.
The conversations from the meeting lead to the unloading area...
The conversations from the meeting lead to the unloading area…
...where we found some of the nets they use when gathering fish...
…where we found some of the nets they use when gathering fish…
...as well as some of the audible transponders that are dropped into the water. These show the effects of zebra mussels that latch on.
…as well as some of the audible transponders that are dropped into the water. These show the effects of zebra mussels that latch on.
This is their own personal boat slip, which is unoccupied because they were out testing at the time.
This is their own personal boat slip, which is unoccupied because they were out testing at the time.
This is one of the boats they use when they test the big waters of Lake Erie.
This is one of the boats they use when they test the big waters of Lake Erie.
Here is another…
Here is another…
...and one of their jet drive boats they use for river studies.
…and one of their jet drive boats they use for river studies.
This is one of their electroshock boats.
This is one of their electroshock boats.
They house numerous livewell tanks to check the fish they electroshock.
They house numerous livewell tanks to check the fish they electroshock.
Their jet drive Mercury helps the aluminum boat get through the shallow water in some of the rivers they test.
Their jet drive Mercury helps the aluminum boat get through the shallow water in some of the rivers they test.
These “kegs” are testing buoys used to catch walleye.
These “kegs” are testing buoys used to catch walleye.
We look out onto calm Sandusky Bay, which is where anglers will launch from in the morning.
We look out onto calm Sandusky Bay, which is where anglers will launch from in the morning.
A scaled map of Lake Erie's water depth and expansive system.
A scaled map of Lake Erie’s water depth and expansive system.
Lake Erie is known as one of the prized Walleye lakes in the nation.
Lake Erie is known as one of the prized Walleye lakes in the nation.