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SALEM -- Salem City Lake, also known as the Salem Reservoir located off Gamble Road, is officially open for fishing.
The season kicked off this week and Salem Parks Director Shane Franks welcomed guests to go out on the lake and drop a line while following state guidelines for social distancing in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Franks said there isn't much different about the operation except that the bait house is closed to the public, with service provided through a window. There's no restroom at this time. They'll also be limiting how many people can go out on a boat to ensure social distancing.
The hours are 7 a.m. to dusk daily and the season is being extended to October since there was a late start. The season normally starts in early April.
A lot of the people who use the lake are regulars every year and bring their own boats or kayaks and canoes.
"I hope they do the best they can to respect the rules in place by the state of Ohio for social distancing," Franks said.
He had announced previously that the lake would reopen at the beginning of this month pending the blessing of the health department and a lifting of the state's stay-at-home order. The order has been extended but Gov. Mike DeWine commented during a recent press conference that fishing had always been permitted as long as social distancing was practiced.
The daily cost is free to children 12 and under, $5 for anyone 13 and older and $4 for Golden Buckeye card holders. Children must be accompanied by an adult. A season pass for an individual will be $50 and a family pass will cos $75, limited to five family members 13 years of age and older with the same address or last name. For Golden Buckeye card members, a season pass will cost $45.
Equipment rental costs will remain the same as last year, with a $5 fee for launching a boat, canoe or kayak. No gasoline motors are allowed. Only electric motors are permitted. Boats and motors and batteries are available for rent for $5 an hour or a maximum $60 for the day.
For more information, people should call the park office at 330-271-8913. The office is currently closed to the public, but is staffed.
mgreier@salemnews.net