This is to purchase a Daily Fishing Permit only. The Voice of America Lake is stocked annually in the spring. MetroParks fishing permits are only required to fish at VOA Lake. A State of Ohio fishing license is required to fish at all other park locations. If you are interested in purchasing an annual fishing permit, please visit the Voice of America Welcome Center during business hours. Children 5 years and younger can fish for free.
Ice Fishing is NOT Permitted.

Celebrate MetroParks' 70th Anniversary as we reveal our 70 favorite elements of the park experience. From the fossil-filled creeks to the tops of the towering trees and constellations beyond, get an inside view of what makes the history and nature of your MetroParks so unique. Every ID70 program in 2025 spotlights seven interesting subjects in each category; attend all ten to add 70 new pieces of park and nature knowledge to your collection.

Can't tell a turtle from a tortoise? How about a skink from a snake? Head out with MetroParks educators to identify 7 of our scaled residents.

Registration required.
Free for all participants.

Animals are all around us if you know what to look for. Adventure out on the trails as we track the clues they leave behind and even play some of our favorite animal-themed games along the way. From tracks, to sounds, and even scat, everything will get recorded in our handmade field notes.

This program is for Daisy Girl Scouts. Scouts must be accompanied by a paid, participating adult. Registration required.

Have you ever wondered how the Amish have kept their unique culture, which dates back to the 1600s, largely intact? Are they influenced by modern American culture? Join presenter Susan Trollinger, author of "Selling the Amish: The Tourism of Nostalgia" to examine the pressures of the "Amish Industrial Revolution" and how their lifestyle is undergoing substantial changes.

Ages 13 and up.
Registration required.

Celebrate MetroParks' 70th Anniversary as we reveal our 70 favorite elements of the park experience. From the fossil-filled creeks to the tops of the towering trees and constellations beyond, get an inside view of what makes the history and nature of your MetroParks so unique. Every ID70 program in 2025 spotlights seven interesting subjects in each category; attend all ten to add 70 new pieces of park and nature knowledge to your collection.

What's that scat? Whose print is that? If you've ever asked yourself, we've got the program for you! MetroParks educators will help you identify 7 different tracks and scat made by local animals.

Registration required.
Free for all participants.

Migrating back to their winter homes in Central and South America, many birds make their way through Ohio on their journey. Let's see who's passing through Harbin Park and check in on our resident birds who will be staying through the winter! Binoculars will be available for use during this hike.

The Chrisholm farm team will be available for you to ask questions and meet the animals who call Chrisholm MetroPark home.

Join Friends of Chrisholm to explore the historic Augspurger House at Chrisholm MetroPark. Learn about the family who once called it home.

Come get your hands dirty and experience the satisfaction of farm work firsthand! We will provide hands-on training while you spend the morning helping us care for Chrisholm's farm animals. You will spend some quality time with donkeys, goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits.

Registration required.

o The Controlled Bowhunting program is a tool used to manage deer populations within the MetroParks. When deer overpopulate, they cause ecological damage by extensive grazing, significantly harming forests. High deer populations also increase susceptibility to disease and starvation among deer themselves. A humane and effective method to manage the white-tailed deer population is with a controlled bowhunting program. This program targets specific areas in the MetroParks where damage to ecology or crops has been observed due to deer overpopulation. Additionally, it helps protect human health by addressing risks associated with dense deer populations, such as the spread of infectious diseases through tics or potential vehicle accidents for park visitors and the surrounding community.

o To participate in the program an application must be completed online via MetroParks's website before the deadline listed on the website. All communication regarding the program will be through email. All applicants must have an submit a valid email address with their application. Applicants are also required to complete a qualification test to ensure safety and accuracy while hunting with the MetroParks. Applicants who submit an accepted application and the associated application fee will be notified of the date, time, and location of the qualification. Any applicant who fails to arrive at the qualification at the specified time, or fails to satisfactorily complete the qualification course, will be disqualified from the program. After the qualifications, a lottery will be held to select those individuals who will participate in the controlled bowhunting program. The lottery will occur at the completion of the qualifications and applicants are encouraged to stay but attendance is not required.

o The Parks included in the Controlled Bowhunting season this year are Davidson Woods, Day Farm, Governor Bebb, Salamander Run, and Thomas Property. Youth hunters will be permitted in zone 2 at Davidson Woods. There are approximately 36 openings for adult hunters and 4 openings for youth hunters.

o Bowhunting serves as a crucial wildlife management tool, particularly in areas with deer overpopulation and where modern firearms are restricted, promoting healthier animal populations and enhancing habitats.