COLUMBUS, OH – Exceptional trout fishing opportunities at Cold Creek, one of Ohio’s most unique streams, await fishing enthusiasts who enter and are drawn in a special lottery conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
A half-mile section of the creek, located at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County, will again be open to a limited number of anglers on selected dates between Friday, May 3, and Friday, Nov. 29.
Anglers interested in fishing the trout stream must submit an application and a non-refundable $3 application fee between March 1-31 to be eligible for the random drawing. Applications may be completed online at wildohio.gov or by calling 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) to obtain a paper form, which must be returned via mail. Only one application is allowed per person. More information about the lottery can be found at wildohio.gov or by calling 800-WILDLIFE.
There will be one season for adults (May 3–Nov. 29), and one for youth (June 10–Aug. 9). Morning and afternoon slots are being filled on Fridays in May and June for adult events and during all youth event dates. Applicants of the youth lottery must be between the ages of 4 and 15 when they apply.
Approximately 100 adult and 90 youth permits will be issued. Individuals selected to participate will be allowed to bring two adults and three youths under the age of 16 (no more than six people total). Participation is determined by a computer-generated random drawing, which will be held in early April.
The results of the adult drawing will be posted online at wildohio.gov. Successful youth applicants will be notified by mail. This year, all permits will be mailed. Applicants not chosen will not be notified.
Special fishing rules are
