Zepernick+Wildlife+Area--Ruff+Pond

Also, see Zepernick Wildlife Area
 * =Birding in Ohio=

Columbiana County
=Zepernick Wildlife Area= =Ruff Pond= New Garden Avenue (OH-172) East Rochester, Ohio 44625 Zepernick Wildlife Area webpage Zepernick Wildlife Area map

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Zepernick Wildlife Area--Ruff Pond
Coordinates: 40.7879136, -80.9870964 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Tips for birding Ruff Pond
This is a parking area for Ruff Pond on the south side of OH-172.

About Zepernick Wildlife Area
The 518-acre Zepernick Wildlife Area lies four miles northwest of Hanoverton in western Columbiana County. Access is provided from OH-172, which bisects the area.

The area lies in the glaciated plateau region of northeastern Ohio. The terrain is gently rolling to steep, with a few poorly drained glacial pothole areas. Elevations vary from 1,140 feet to slightly over 1,340 feet above mean sea level. The area contains one 39-acre lake; two ponds, one and seven acres in size; and one five-acre man-made marsh. Open fields and brushland comprise the largest portion of the area, with approximately 35 percent being cultivated. Second growth hardwoods occupy 25 percent of the area. Ash, tulip, red maple, cherry, oak, hickory, beech, and sugar maple make up most of the woodland acreage. Index of Ohio's trees from the Division of Forestry.

Purchase of land for this wildlife area began in 1954. Additional land has been acquired as funds and land have become available. The original 25-acre Zepernick Lake was constructed prior to state ownership; after the acquisition, it was reconstructed and enlarged to its present size.

Wildlife habitat management has included planting of conifers, protection, and improvement of the woodlands, selection of areas which will be allowed to return to woodland through natural succession, and management of existing open fields based upon the land capability. Crop rotations and contour strip cropping patterns have been developed to improve food and cover conditions for wildlife.

Hunting and fishing are the major recreational uses of the area. Sightseeing, hiking, nature study, and bird watching are other popular activities.

Cottontail rabbit, fox squirrel, woodchuck, and ring-necked pheasant are the principal game species. White-tailed deer and various waterfowl frequent the area, and all furbearers common to the region are found here.

Zepernick Lake contains good populations of eastern chain pickerel, largemouth bass, red ear sunfish, and channel catfish. The two ponds contain largemouth bass and bluegills. The Division of Wildlife has stocked grass carp to control aquatic vegetation; anglers are reminded that it is illegal to take or attempt to take this fish. From Zepernick Wildlife Area webpage

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