ODNR releases rainbow trout in Ohio streams on March 6

Ohio's annual release of rainbow trout begins Friday at Adams Lake in Adams County and continues on 63 public lakes and ponds on selected dates through May.

More than 98,000 trout measuring 10 to 13 inches will be released into the various public waters, and several locations will have special angler events during the releases, including youth-only fishing. Contact the nearest wildlife district office for specific times and locations.

Information about trout releases can be found at wildohio.gov or by calling 800-WILDLIFE. In north central Ohio, trout will be released at Shelby Reservoir No. 3 in Richland County on April 16, Norwalk Reservoir No. 1 in Huron County on April 8, the Crossroads Industrial Ponds in Crawford County on April 8, Blue Limestone Park in Delaware County on April 3, Quarry Park in Marion County on March 27, and Foundation Park in Knox County on April 2.

Anglers who'd like to try some quality stream trout fishing are invited to apply for an annual drawing to fish for trout in the ¹/₂-mile section of Cold Creek that runs through Castalia State Fish Hatchery.

Participation is determined by a computer generated random drawing in early April. The application period runs from now through March 31, and applications can be found by going to www1.oh.wildlifelicense.com/start.php and clicking "Lottery Applications."

Applicants 16 years and older must have a valid fishing license to apply. The application fee is $3 and anglers may apply only once. If the same name appears on multiple applications, all applications will be disqualified and the fee forfeited.

•Inclement weather is preventing the Delaware and Deer Creek Public Shooting Ranges from opening on their customary date of March 1. Frozen backstops, ice and snow are preventing staff from providing a safe shooting environment.

It is unknown at this time when the ranges will open. Ask Mother Nature. In the meantime, the Division of Wildlife will continue its efforts to open them as soon as possible. Call 614-644-3925 for updates.

•Opossums are often considered by those who see them to be stupid and ugly. But according to an article in the 2015 Jan./Feb. issue of Sporting Classics, they have at least one redeeming feature — they are tick killing machines.

According to the News Times of Danbury, Connecticut, researchers with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies researched the roles various mammals and birds play in the spread of ticks and disease.

Their methods included capturing white-footed mice, chipmunks, squirrels, possums, veerys and catbirds. Then, all were caged and each animal subjected to 100 ticks. The possums killed over 90 percent of the parasites, more than any other animal. They not only killed them, they ate them.

This is good news for those who live in tick country, an arthropod that can spread Lyme disease.

•Ohioans are invited to offer public comment regarding the proposed and future hunting, fishing and trapping regulations at open houses scheduled across the state. The open houses will be at each of the five Division of Wildlife headquarters between noon and 3 p.m. Saturday. Online comments will be accepted through Sunday.

Open houses provide opportunities for anyone interested in sharing input and participating in Ohio's professional wildlife management process. DOW biologists and law enforcement officers will be available to answer questions and receive comments. Directions to open houses can be found by calling 800-WILDLIFE

Dick Martin is a retired Selby biology teacher and author who has written an outdoor column for more than 25 years. He can be reached at richmart@neo.rr.com.