I’m not
going to take credit for this anymore than I will offer snarky commentary about
the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s annual Lake Erie sport fishing forecast.
Typically
these forecasts are roseier in appearance than my wife’s flower garden.
Oh, shoot, I
went ahead and made a snide comment, didn’t I? Oh, well, here’s the Wildlife
Division’s official crystal ball look at this year’s Lake Erie sport fishing
prospects.
COLUMBUS,
OH - Anglers in pursuit of Lake Erie’s sport
fish should experience another successful year as they pursue a variety of
fishing opportunities in 2015, according to Ohio Department of Natural
Resources (ODNR).
“Similar
to 2014, we expect fishing to be good again this year, especially when you
consider the mix of species and sizes that are seasonally available to Ohio
anglers on Lake Erie,” said Jeff Tyson, Lake Erie fisheries program manager for
the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “While fishing success will vary among species
and seasons, the lake’s population of walleye, yellow perch, black bass, white
bass and steelhead are all stable, with a very broad distribution of sizes for
each species.”
As
a result of the 2015 quota allocation, the walleye daily bag limit is four and
the yellow perch daily bag limit is 30 per angler in Ohio waters of Lake Erie
until April 30, 2015. The daily bag limit will be six walleye from May 1
through Feb. 28, 2016. From March 1 through April 30, 2016, the daily walleye
bag limit will be four. A 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect during the
entire season for walleye. The yellow perch daily bag limit is 30 from May 1
through April 30, 2016, with no minimum size limit. Lake Erie anglers can find
walleye and yellow perch bag limit information at ODNR offices, in special
publications at bait and tackle shops and at wildohio.gov.
Lake
Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries are managed through an interagency
quota system that involves Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio
jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction regulates their catches to comply with quotas
and minimize the risk of over-fishing these species. Quotas for the upcoming
fishing season are determined through consensus agreement by these
jurisdictions through the Lake Erie Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery
Commission, which were just recently announced for 2015.
Walleye
Ohio walleye anglers in 2015 will catch fish mostly from the 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007 and 2003 hatches, with some fish from the 2008 and 2012 year classes. Walleye from the moderate 2010 hatch will range from 18 to 23 inches, while walleye from the 2007 hatch will be more than 20 inches. The 2003 and 2007 hatches are likely to carry most of the Central Basin fisheries. These walleye will contribute to the population that has a good number of fish over the 26-inch range. Large walleye from the strong hatch in 2003 will continue to provide “Fish Ohio” opportunities (greater than 28 inches), with this year class nearing the size that may give Ohio a new state record walleye.
Ohio walleye anglers in 2015 will catch fish mostly from the 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007 and 2003 hatches, with some fish from the 2008 and 2012 year classes. Walleye from the moderate 2010 hatch will range from 18 to 23 inches, while walleye from the 2007 hatch will be more than 20 inches. The 2003 and 2007 hatches are likely to carry most of the Central Basin fisheries. These walleye will contribute to the population that has a good number of fish over the 26-inch range. Large walleye from the strong hatch in 2003 will continue to provide “Fish Ohio” opportunities (greater than 28 inches), with this year class nearing the size that may give Ohio a new state record walleye.
Yellow
Perch
Expect good perch fishing in 2015, with the largest fish in the eastern areas of the Central Basin. Perch anglers should encounter fish ranging from 7 to 13 inches from the 2012 through 2007 hatches in this year’s fishery, with major contributions from the 2012, 2010, and 2008 year classes. Fish from the average-to-better hatch in 2007 will contribute fish in the greater than 10-inch range.
Expect good perch fishing in 2015, with the largest fish in the eastern areas of the Central Basin. Perch anglers should encounter fish ranging from 7 to 13 inches from the 2012 through 2007 hatches in this year’s fishery, with major contributions from the 2012, 2010, and 2008 year classes. Fish from the average-to-better hatch in 2007 will contribute fish in the greater than 10-inch range.
Black
Bass
Smallmouth bass fishing in 2015 is expected to be fair but improving. Smallmouth bass catch rates increased in 2014 compared to 2013 and were the highest observed since the mid-1990s. Smallmouth bass caught should be excellent size (14 to 22 inches, weighing up to 6 pounds). The best fishing for smallmouth bass will continue to occur in areas with good bottom structure, which is the available habitat across much of the entire Ohio nearshore area and islands areas. Continuing the trend from previous years, largemouth bass fishing should be excellent in 2015. This emerging fishery is producing high catch rates and some large fish in nearshore areas and harbors across Ohio’s Lake Erie. All black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) must be immediately released from May 1 through June 26, 2015. Beginning June 27, 2015, the daily bag limit for bass will be five, with a 14-inch minimum length limit.
Smallmouth bass fishing in 2015 is expected to be fair but improving. Smallmouth bass catch rates increased in 2014 compared to 2013 and were the highest observed since the mid-1990s. Smallmouth bass caught should be excellent size (14 to 22 inches, weighing up to 6 pounds). The best fishing for smallmouth bass will continue to occur in areas with good bottom structure, which is the available habitat across much of the entire Ohio nearshore area and islands areas. Continuing the trend from previous years, largemouth bass fishing should be excellent in 2015. This emerging fishery is producing high catch rates and some large fish in nearshore areas and harbors across Ohio’s Lake Erie. All black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) must be immediately released from May 1 through June 26, 2015. Beginning June 27, 2015, the daily bag limit for bass will be five, with a 14-inch minimum length limit.
Steelhead
Steelhead anglers should enjoy another year of great fishing in 2015 in Ohio’s Lake Erie open waters and in tributaries. Peak summer steelhead action on Lake Erie can be found offshore from June through August between Vermilion and Conneaut, with catches measuring 17 to 29 inches. Most Lake Erie anglers troll for steelhead in deep waters using spoons with divers or downriggers until fish move close to shore in the fall. The daily bag limit remains at five fish per angler from May 16 through Aug. 31, 2015, and two fish per angler between Sept. 1, 2015, and May 15, 2016. A 12-inch minimum size limit is in effect throughout the year.
Steelhead anglers should enjoy another year of great fishing in 2015 in Ohio’s Lake Erie open waters and in tributaries. Peak summer steelhead action on Lake Erie can be found offshore from June through August between Vermilion and Conneaut, with catches measuring 17 to 29 inches. Most Lake Erie anglers troll for steelhead in deep waters using spoons with divers or downriggers until fish move close to shore in the fall. The daily bag limit remains at five fish per angler from May 16 through Aug. 31, 2015, and two fish per angler between Sept. 1, 2015, and May 15, 2016. A 12-inch minimum size limit is in effect throughout the year.
White
Bass
White bass continue to provide excellent seasonal fishing opportunities in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers and in the open lake. The 2015 catch will be dominated by fish from the 2012, 2011 and 2010 year classes. Fish from 2007 could be as large as 16 inches. Anglers should focus on major Western Basin tributaries during May and June and nearshore areas of the open lake during the summer. There is no white bass daily bag limit or size limit.
White bass continue to provide excellent seasonal fishing opportunities in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers and in the open lake. The 2015 catch will be dominated by fish from the 2012, 2011 and 2010 year classes. Fish from 2007 could be as large as 16 inches. Anglers should focus on major Western Basin tributaries during May and June and nearshore areas of the open lake during the summer. There is no white bass daily bag limit or size limit.
Other
Species
Bays, harbors and main lake shorelines offer excellent fishing for panfish, as well as occasional northern pike and muskellunge in vegetated areas.
Bays, harbors and main lake shorelines offer excellent fishing for panfish, as well as occasional northern pike and muskellunge in vegetated areas.
Anglers
are reminded that fishing conditions on Lake Erie can change hourly, and
adjustments are often necessary to improve success. Anglers should take into
account factors such as water temperature, cloud cover, water clarity, boat
traffic, wave action, structure, currents and the amount of baitfish in the
area. Anglers are also reminded to carefully monitor Lake Erie weather and to
seek safe harbor before storms approach.
Updated
Lake Erie fishing reports are available at wildohio.gov or by calling
888-HOOKFISH (888-466-5347). Information is available from ODNR Division of
Wildlife staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Fairport Harbor station
(440-352-4199) for the Central Basin and at the Sandusky station (419-625-8062)
for the Western Basin.
Information
on the ODNR Division of Wildlife’s Lake Erie research and management programs,
fisheries resources, fishing reports, and maps and links to other Lake Erie web
resources are available at wildohio.gov.
ODNR
ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for
the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischk@Ameritech.net
Jeff is the retired News-Herald reporter who covered the earth sciences, the area's three county park systems and the outdoors for the newspaper. During his 30 years with The News-Herald Jeff was the recipient of more than 100 state, regional and national journalism awards. He also is a columnist and features writer for the Ohio Outdoor News, which is published every other week and details the outdoors happenings in the state.
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