"WALLEYE RUN" ANGLERS SHOULD OBSERVE RIVER WADING SAFETY TIPS: OH

COLUMBUS, OH - The arrival of spring and the popular "walleye run"
along the Maumee and Sandusky rivers is just a few weeks away and the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) encourages wading fishermen to
observe some common sense safety tips.
Each spring, thousands of anglers head to the Maumee and Sandusky
rivers for the fantastic fishing offered during the spring walleye run.
"We encourage anglers to review some basic safety tips while wading
inland rivers to help assure a safe and enjoyable fishing experience," said
Ken Alvey, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft.
Here are some safety tips for wading anglers:
-- Wear a life jacket or flotation coat.
-- Be properly dressed for the water temperature, which is often 20
degrees cooler than the air temperature; wear clothing such as wool,
synthetic fleece or polypropylene to help preserve body heat when wet.
-- Wear a good quality pair of chest waders and tighten a cinch belt
at the waistline outside the waders to help prevent them from filling with
water should immersion occur. Water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon and can
make walking to the shoreline extremely difficult if waders fill with cold
river water.
-- Carry a large walking stick or wading staff to help provide
balance while wading in a river or stream.
-- Let friends or family know of expected departure and return times
while on a fishing trip or out on a boat.
-- Be prepared to handle an emergency should one arise.
Anglers are reminded that the daily bag limit for walleye between
March 1 and April 30 is three fish, with a minimum length of 15 inches per
fish. Fish snagging is prohibited.

Source: ODNR