Thursday, January 29, 2009

Lake Erie's 2009 fishing forecast

The experts with the Ohio Division of Wildlife says we Lake Erie anglers will have a good fishing season this year.

Walleye fishermen will be catching fish that mostly originate from the really huge 2003 class with these fish averaging 18 to 26 inches.

These walleye will be assisted by fish from the 2001 year class (23 to 28 inches) and the 2005 year class (17 to 20 inches).

For the lake's perch jerkers, the outstanding fishing seen in 2008 will continue into 2009. The catch will largely consist of fish from the 2003, 2005 and 2007 year classes and will range from 7 to 13 inches.

Once again the bulk of the lake's jumbo perch will be caught right here in the Central Basin.

Expect only fair smallmouth bass fishing, however, as stocks remain below Wildlife Division desired levels.

Many of those bass that are caught, though, will average 15 to 22 inches.

Steelheaders should see another good to excellent trolling season on Lake Erie as well as in its tributaries during the species' autumn runs.

Lake Erie's white bass continue their march toward greater acceptance by anglers. An excellent white bass fisheries is anticipated with many fish running between 10 to 1 inches, based upon good hatches between 2003 and 2006.

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

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