05-28-2002, 05:33 PM
AQUATIC VISITORS CENTER AT PUT-IN-BAY OFFERS FAMILY FISHING FUN<br>COLUMBUS, OH - Families visiting South Bass Island on Lake Erie will want to include a tour and some fishing at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Aquatic Visitors Center. The former historic state fish hatchery, operated by the ODNR Division of Wildlife, includes fun, educational displays about Ohio's fisheries.<br>The Aquatic Visitors Center is open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The center is closed Mondays. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.<br>The aquatic learning center houses live fish displays and hands-on informational exhibits, highlighting Ohio fish species, fisheries management projects, the historic hatchery and the wealth of angling opportunities available on Lake Erie and inland waterways. <br>A children's playroom includes a touch tank, coloring activities, wooden puzzles, wildlife videos and a hands-on fishing game. New this year is a fishing simulator where the operator gets a virtual reality fishing experience. The center attracts more than 35,000 visitors each year.<br>The entire family can enjoy fishing from the center's large dock overlooking Put-In-Bay harbor. Rods and reels are available for loan with bait included. Fish most often caught include yellow perch, sunfish, rock bass, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass. Benches and a small picnic area are provided and courtesy docking is available for boaters while visiting the center.<br>A family fishing day with special activities and prize giveaways will be held at the Aquatic Center on Saturday June 1 in conjunction with Ohio’s Free Fishing Days and National Fishing and Boating Week.<br>The Aquatic Visitors Center is located at 1 Peach Point Road, approximately one mile west of downtown Put-In-Bay at the west end of the harbor. For more information, contact the center at 419-285-3701.<br><br>Source: ODNR<br><br>