NFC’s Ohio chapter is unique by NFC standards. In fact, it’s unique by fish conservation standards. Most fish conservation in the United States is gamefish centric. And most of that is salmonid centric. In the case of NFC’s Ohio chapter, it is neither…

Ohio has an abundance of native fishes. However, the majority of these fish are classified as non-gamefish. Like many states, Ohio has lost much of its native gamefish to the introduction of nonnative species such as steelhead and brown trout.

Lake Erie and the Ohio River alone are said to be home to over 150 species of native fish across 25 families. Three families account for roughly 60% of the species: Cyprinids (40), Percids (25), and Catostomids (20). Ohio is also home to a small number of wild native brook trout populations.

In an area of conservation that is mostly supported by anglers, trying to get support for nongame fish is not easy. But as we have said countless times, until we reach the non angler, true fish and aquatic ecosystem conservation will be an uphill battle as we anglers are often part of the problem.

To address this, Ohio NFC has taken the native fish message to a broad range of parties including anglers, non anglers, conservationists, and other interested parties. Here are some of the events they attended and participated in:

Northern Ohio Fly Fishing Expo (03/04/2023) – Hosted by North Coast Fly Fishers, this event brought anglers from across Ohio and its bordering states together. Hundreds of hobbyists came to talk about fish, attend seminars, and discover new programs. Ohio NFC Vice Chair Stephen Surmacz and board member Nick Milkovich represented Ohio NFC at the event. The native fish message promoted by NFC was well received, and helped the chapter establish a presence in the state fishing community. All agreed that the event was a success for NFC and that we will return next year.

Geauga Park District Tree Planting Event (04/22/2023) – Held at Veteran’s Legacy Woods, Geauga Park District hosted an event open to the general public and local organizations to plant trees to help restore historic native brook trout habitat. Ohio NFC Chair Cameron Layne and board member Nick Milkovich helped plant over 150 trees and shrubs to provide shade on a stream where brook trout will be reintroduced in the future. The event exposed NFC to other organizations which specialize in wildlife and fisheries conservation and restoration. As a result of the event, Geauga Park District has expressed a desire to work with the NFC in regard to a native fish representation in the future.

Geauga Park District Stream Sampling (5/6/2023) – Ohio NFC Chair Cameron Layne partnered with the Geauga Park District to introduce the public to various stream sampling techniques utilized by biologists and fisheries managers to assess populations. More than 20 people from the area were in attendance alongside Ohio NFC Chair Cameron Layne and board members Stephen Surmacz, Loughran Cabe, and Nick Milkovich. People of all ages and from all walks of life were amazed to see the variety of native fish in stream including rainbow darter, stonecat madtom, river chub, and longnose dace, a state-listed species of concern. Folks in attendance thanked Ohio NFC for what they do, with a number taking out memberships and buying schwag.