COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio's muskellunge - or muskie - anglers are experiencing a banner year, catching more than 70 trophy-sized muskies during the first half of the year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The Ohio Huskie Muskie Club (OHMC), which recognizes and records trophy muskies, has registered 74 "huskie muskies" through June 30. To qualify as a huskie muskie, fish must measure 42 inches or more. Those that measure at least 30 inches are given "honorable mention" recognition.

Ohio's top huskie muskie lakes so far this year are Salt Fork Lake (17), Clear Fork Lake (15), and Leesville Lake (13).

"It's been an excellent muskie fishing season. If this trend continues, we could see the second highest number of muskies ever registered by the Ohio Huskie Muskie Club," said Dick Day, fisheries biologist for the Division of Wildlife's Northwest District. Day is also liaison to the OHMC.

A 53-inch muskie caught at Salt Fork Lake on June 25 is the largest reported catch this year. Howard Hamrick of Little Hocking landed the trophy fish, which is one of the longest muskies ever recognized by the OHMC since the club's founding in 1961. Hamrick's 53-inch muskie weighed 44 pounds. The combination of length and weight makes Hamrick's fish the fifth largest in the OHMC record books.

The state record muskie, as recognized by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio (OWO), measured 50-1/4 inches and weighed 55 pounds, 2 ounces when it was caught April 12, 1972 in Piedmont Lake by Joe D. Lykins. While the OWO previously used a formula of combined length and weight to determine state record fish, the basis for determining state record fish has been certified weight only since June 1, 1993.

Among honorable mention muskies taken through June 30, the OHMC has registered 517 fish that measured at least 30 inches, compared to 429 for the same period last year. The top lakes yielding honorable mention muskies were West Branch Reservoir (139), Clear Fork Lake (111) and Leesville Lake (77).

The top four huskie muskies taken through June 30 measured more than 50 inches each. Two came from Piedmont Lake, one from Alum Creek Reservoir. Hamrick's was the fourth.

West Branch Reservoir has been the hottest spot for muskies this year, followed by Clear Fork Lake and Leesville Lake. The club also keeps statistics on muskies less than 30 inches. More than 97 percent of the muskies caught by OHMC members are safely released back into the water. The club has an annual awards banquet each winter to honor its members and their top catches.

Richard Day, ODNR Division of Wildlife