So, you're interested in going fishing for the first time, but not sure how to get started.Potential first-time anglers should not let their fishing inexperience keep them from an exciting outdoor adventure.Fishing experts with the Division of Wildlife offer a number of tips to a fast-start catching fish.

First, don't let the hundreds of rods and reels available cause confusion on what to buy.Beginning anglers in Ohio will find that a low-cost, medium-action spin-cast rod and reel combination will work well in most fishing situations.

Bait can either be live or artificial.When using live bait, slip the bait onto the hook and place a bobber or float two to three feet above the hook to suspend the bait in the water.When fishing for largemouth bass, use nightcrawlers or live minnows.Good artificial baits for largemouth bass are spinnerbaits and plastic worms.When fishing for bluegills, use wax worms or redworms fished 12 to 18 inches under a bobber.Shrimp, nightcrawlers, or chicken livers fished along the bottom will usually catch a catfish in most Ohio waters.

Ohio has many good fishing opportunities.Lake Erie, the most productive fishery of the five Great Lakes, offers world-class walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch fishing.Large inland lakes and reservoirs have good shore and boat fishing opportunities.Usually it's only a short drive from anywhere in the state to one of Ohio's 229 public lakes or reservoirs.These water areas range in size from just a few acres, to the 13,500-acre Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio's largest inland lake.The state's 61,000 miles of streams, creeks, and rivers also offer great fishing adventures.
Locally, the 285-acre Killdeer Reservoir in Marseilles, has been providing good catches of walleye, Smallmouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.

To catch walleye and smallmouth bass, use nightcrawlers, minnows or leeches fished under a slip bobber near the bottom.For bluegill, use wax worms or redworms fished under a bobber at varied depths until you find where they're feeding.Catfish can be caught using live or cut baits fished on the bottom.Best areas are the east and south shorelines.The Killdeer Reservoir has a boat ramp available, and a gasoline motor maximum limit of 10HP.

Each year, anglers 16 to 65 must have a new Ohio fishing license by March 1 to fish the state's public waters, including Lake Erie and the Ohio River.A fishing license is also required for those taking bullfrogs, green frogs, snapping turtles, and soft-shell turtles.Ohio residents age 66 and older may obtain a free fishing license from any license vendor.Young people age 15 and under do not need a fishing license.

An annual resident Ohio fishing license costs $15; annual nonresident fishing licenses costs $24.A three-day tourist's fishing license is $15.Residents and nonresidents both have the option of purchasing a one-day fishing license for $7, which may be exchanged for credit toward the purchase on an annual fishing license.

The ODNR web site offers additional information on fishing, boating, and state parks at Ohiodnr.com. Anglers may also obtain lake maps, fish identification guides, and other fishing information by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.For an updated Lake Erie fishing report call 1-888-HOOKFISH.

So pick up or borrow some fishing gear, grab some bait, Fish Ohio and Catch a Memory!