Take a look at Ohio’s unique way of keeping state record fish

I love fish stories.

Regular readers figured this out about 25 years ago.

I would love to also keep records for all suckers, chubs and sunfish native to Illinois.

Currently, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources recognizes 58 species/hybrids (listed in fisheries regulations), wrote an email to fisheries biologist Nerissa McClelland, Illinois fisheries records administrator.

When I suggested IDNR fisheries chief Mike McClelland expand record keeping, he took it seriously but rejected it.

“To ensure a fair process, I think we would need to think carefully when creating new records about what a standard would be for the species we would include,” he noted. “If a person catches a fish that is not currently on the record, does they automatically receive the record or do we have a minimum standard that must be exceeded? This will likely require a data analysis approach to a weight standard by species and then establishing the recording policy for all species we would consider. Additionally, we anticipate that some species records will be broken more frequently because they are new species, increasing the time required for our staff to review and edit records.

“We must always keep staff priorities and time constraints in mind, creating and maintaining new records may impact other priorities. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen in the future!”

I suggested something similar to what happens in Ohio, where the Outdoor Writers of Ohio keeps the fish records.

“Hey, I like that idea, Dale!” McClelland replied.

The OWO began recording record fish in the late 1940s, said Fred Snyder, former president of the OWO and chairman of the OWO’s state record fish committee since 2011. He is Professor Emeritus of Fisheries at Ohio State University.

“This is something we are proud of,” he said. “We consider it one of our best programs.”

Their basic requirements are similar to those in Illinois: The scale must be weighed on a certified scale with two witnesses, must be certified by an examiner, must be visually confirmed, and the species must be identified by an Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries biologist.

Here’s the difference. Snyder receives the application for membership and reviews it. Once he’s clean, he sends it to a five-person committee.

“They often have questions,” he said. “I insist on a unanimous vote. No shadows over the plate, no questions. I’m working really hard on it. I’m confident it’s good before I send it to committee.”

To add a category, the committee recommends a full membership vote.

When I said I wanted Illinois to expand its record list to include all local buffoons and chubs, he said, “If it gets that far, I’ll give it to someone else.”

I need an ally.

Hunting in Illinois

Once the deer harvest numbers are available, I will post at chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors.

Wild things

Snowy owl sightings have begun in collar counties. Don’t be surprised if you spot one on Chicago’s lakefront.

Stray cast

The International Game Fish Association’s world record catfish (297 pounds, 9 ounces, Attilla ZsedelyPo River, Italy, March 11, 2010) is easier to understand than Juan Sotos $765 million deal with the Mets.