COLUMBUS, Ohio - After receiving word of alleged cheating in a walleye tournament this week, Ohio fishermen needed some good news.

It came from the Ohio Wildlife Council’s regular meeting where members voted to approve a proposal to allow a maximum of three fishing lines statewide.

The rule, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, aligns statewide fishing regulations with those already in place in the Lake Erie Sport Fishing District, Ohio River fishing units, and Pymatuning Lake by increasing the limit to three lines per person.

 The council also voted to remove site-specific catfish regulations for Hoover Reservoir and align the popular central Ohio fishing destination with statewide rules for blue and channel catfish. Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, catfish anglers can harvest one blue catfish 35 inches or longer and one channel catfish 28 inches or longer, with no restrictions on shorter fish.

 The decision to amend catfish regulations at Hoover Reservoir was based on research indicating that the reservoir’s catfish fishery meets angler and agency expectations.

Removing the special regulations currently in place will improve fish growth, reduce the time for fish to reach trophy length, and simplify harvest regulations by returning them to statewide rules.

 The council also approved the expiration of annual shooting range permits as one year from the date of issue, rather than the last day of February.

An annual shooting range permit is required of all individuals age 18 or older visiting a Division of Wildlife Class A, B, or C range. This rule will take effect on March 1, 2023.