Does anyone have an official word on fishing Lake Erie in Ohio waters. And how about the charters?
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Does anyone have an official word on fishing Lake Erie in Ohio waters. And how about the charters?
Ramps are open. Some charters are still running and some of us shut down during the lockdown to do our part to help stop the spread of this virus. With different people getting on boats and touching everything...not knowing if anyone is infected is a lot of work to keep sanitized. A person may not be symptomatic, but is still be contagious. There is also no way to keep the safe social distance from each other on a boat.
That's not a risk I'm willing to take right now, but that's my choice.
I'm not one to tell others what they should do or not do, so I won't.
This morning:
http://ohiodnr.gov/odnr-operations-d...virus-outbreak
I looked on all the Ohio Charter Boat Associations websites yesterday and --- nothing. Some of them haven't been updated in over a year.
I would call ODW but I'm not going to put in a non-real important call. I would expect some kind of announcement sometime soon directed toward the Lake Erie boat fishing folks.
The Maumee and Sandusky River walleye spawn runs are on with lots of people fishing (more than usual - people are off work) and some are standing close to each other. Maumee Tackle has advised to spread out. At some point all the fishing in Ohio is going to have to be formally addressed as there are way too many people confused as to what they can and can't do.
Thanks Capt. We are considering making the 3hr trip from NW PA to Fenwick marina soon. Thank again and thanks for all the great reports.
Check out what we can do. In Ohio stay at home under the web site.
Ohio’s stay-at-home order: What are you allowed to do?
I think Lake Erie is a Outdoor activity area. I am going fishing n have this site down loaded on my phone in case I get stopped. Don't think they are stopping people giving $500 tickets as posted before
Outdoor activity
Walking, hiking, running, biking, going to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas; however, public playgrounds will be closed
Well we decided to just stay put and fish another day it doesn't seem very responsible to travel at the present time.
That is a shame Juls,what this pandemic has caused in such s short time.Hard to imagine something would affect the charter business except lack of fish.Think is a responsible decision.Don't know how you can safely handle rods with everybody touching the gear.Good luck.Hope this pandemic runs its course quickly.
Well, these are the times that test us all~!
I have permission, from my wife, to fish, however, I must have limited contact with others.
So , no guests on the Water Dog , until we get the all clear and at least a vaccine.
Stay safe and follow the guidelines published by the medical community.
~Water Dog
Good to hear from Water Dog! You are right, stay safe.
The more of us that fellow the guidelines, the sooner this will be behind us. I keep telling myself the fish will be there all summer. Need to do that cause still recovering from spinal surgery and on a 10 lb lifting limit. (Didn't even ask but know I couldn't bounce in a boat yet...nor pull a big walleye off the bottom...).
The virus is setting my recovery back too. Should be starting physical therapy now, but doc and I agreed a room with a bunch of sweaty and likely older bodies was not the place to be now. So I am going on 38 straight days of confined to house, except for doctors visits, and wait on therapy and wait on fishing.
The Ohio charter association has shut down their charter fishing till April 6th.That date most certainly be extended,as the infection rates will still be increasing by that date.Fishing in a boat by yourself or family would be considered safe from the spread of this virus.When you add more people to that boat is when the risk of spreading it increases.There is a difference of opinion out there on how dangerous this virus is and what constitutes safe social distancing.Be safe.
Clarification:
Outdoors: Virus guidelines anchor charter fleet, bait shops remain open | Toledo Blade
I would suggest any posts on Covid-19 information be backed with links to or mention of the source. We want to make sure this forum keeps the information correct and allows everyone to check it themselves.
Good move Capt Juls. Yes certainly close quarters even on a large boat.. With cool weather there will be lots of runny noses , eyes watering, and what have you.. Let alone people touching all the equipment etc. I appreciate what your choice has been and will not forget it! Kent
FYI:
On the current Miller Boat Line web site update.
Thursday, March 26, 2020 Updates
"Miller Boat Line will NOT be hauling non-essential travel to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island. This includes, but is not limited to, recreational fishermen with boats and trailers."
Response to COVID 19 – Miller Boat Line : Miller Ferry
I have a friend in the Ohio coastguard. Columbus is watching the launches very closely so please be respectful and keep your distance from others while launching. Also, they’re taking note of out of state plates and which states they’re from. I’m not telling anyone what to do, but just be smart. If we’re all smart not only should we stay healthy, but we might just be able to continue to use the public launches. To clarify: I haven’t heard anything about a fishing ban. I’ve only heard that they’re monitoring launches closely (in fact my coastguard buddy was at Catawba the other weekend).
Heard the same thing about gov officials watching the ramps.Think they are most concerned with the number of people on the boats.Most people are mostly spread out when launching at ramps.Problem is being able to social distancing on a boat.With 3 or more people on a boat not able to safely distance.If all occupants on a boat are from same family and live together,I would tell any official watching you launch that you are all family.That situation would be acceptable to the state and not added to the list of non compliant boaters.
During yesterday's April 2, 2020 News Press Conference at 2:00 PM on Covid-19 The Governor has revised and re-issued The Ohio Stay at Home Order. He specifically addressed fishing on Lake Erie, here the top six (6) takeaways; 1. The Ohio Stay at Home Order has been extended through May 1, 2020. 2. The public ramps will remain open (for now) but monitored, they will be watching for Safe Social Distancing. 3. Ohioans are allowed to fish as long as they are following the Safe Social Distancing Guidelines. Example; I have a 23' walk-around, I could easily fish with two (2) others, one on the bow, I'd sit at the wheel (mid-ship) and one on the back seat at the stern, we would easily be six (6) feet apart. 4. Obviously Charter Boats with a crew can't achieve Safe Social Distancing. 5. Individuals traveling from out of state to fish or any other reason would not be allowed to fish due to the new directive; that travelers arriving to Ohio should self-quarantine for fourteen (14). I suppose the caveat would be if the traveler(s) would be in the state for fifteen (15) days or more. 6. Common sense and public safety should be the prevailing factor in any decision when it comes to venturing out into the public. With that said, I'm with Captain Juls, I'm going to do my part and Shelter in Place to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus, at least until May 1 2020, I will re-evaluate my decision if this pandemic goes past May 1, 2020. Everyone must make his/her own decision and do what's best for you and your family. All of the above information can be found/verified at;
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/por...-through-may-1
That’s a true bummer for us over here in Indiana! We live 2 miles from the border and frequent the lake as much as time and weather allows. For the past 2 years it has been tough to get out there because of the rains and winds. This year, finally, we have had some great weather and available days to get out there a couple of times....we were looking forward to more. We work with Ohioans daily...face to face, side by side, and definitely not 6ft apart at all times. It’s just a requirement for our job to get done satisfactorily. Now by the way it sounds my kids and I cannot travel 2 miles into Ohio and go to the lake...no stops at gas stations, no bait shop stops, and plenty of room between the next guy at the ramp or on the lake. For sanity sake, for food, and a darn good time with family, I hope they figure out a better way to handle this than to punish people for crossing the border to do what they have invested in. Good luck to you all out there and stay safe!
I agree I live in WV and purchase a cuddly cabin just for use on Lake Erie already paid my storage fee to leave the boat up the on land and now I cannot go fishing there. I understand the importance of this situation I’m currently working in Indiana and staying in Kentucky while working and when I go home next week I have to self quarantine for 2 weeks. Where better to that a than on Lake Erie on my boat by myself I have a generator and can be self supporting on the boat and away from everyone and not go insane staying at home reading these post anyways enough venting and good luck to all that can get out and enjoy the great fishing Lake Erie has to offer and keep in mind the ones that are dealing with the virus and their families
I have a boat slipped at Fenwick and live in Cincinnati. I can’t fish because I don’t have a place to stay. I have a totally self contained motorhome but can’t park it on Fenwick’s property because they can’t allow “camping”. Does anyone know where I could park for 2 or 3 days. I would be pulling a car to get back and forth to the ramp and it is just my wife and I. We would not need to have contact with anyone, just a safe place to park. Maybe a church parking lot, closed business? I won’t just pull onto someone’s property without permission.
Remember if you are coming from out of Ohio you must self quarantine yourself for 14 days
Actually the order says “SHOULD quarantine for 14 days” not must.
How are they supposed to enforce that anyway?
I understood it that way too but all they have to do is write the ticket and you have to prove them there wrong. Hard to do
also I read that they were hoping that the fishermen would help the motels and restaurants out but I don’t figure many who live close the lake are going to help much there....
Does that mean that you can go fishing as long as your keeping social distance and not on contact with anyone
I agree with Juls, I am not willing to risk getting it. These people coming from out of state sure are not going to quarantine for 14 days. Fish are not worth a life. I hope we all can make it through this and fish another day. Stay safe everyone!!!!!!
What’s the difference in a person coming from a state with 350 cases in the state versus a person coming from a country in Ohio with 350 plus cases. Who is more likely to transmitt..........
There are only 6 states in continental United states with less than 350 cases.Only nearby state that has those numbers are west Virginia with 324.Ohio has less cases than the rest of adjacent states.Michigan and Penn have more than 4 times the number of cases than Ohio.I would not expect our officials to selectively allow the few out of town fishermen from a low impact state.Then keep out the majority of people from a highly infected state.
The Sandusky river accesses have all been closed down at Fremont.The City of Maumee closed all fishing Accesses on the Maumee. If you are coming from out of state you must self Quarantine for 14 days .Yes the DNR are checking.
How does one prove they have quarantined for 14 days??? A note from my mother?
Are there officials/DNR at these private launches such as fenwick, wild wings, etc?
I launched at Wild Wings yesterday around 1030-11 and returned around 2 and did not see anyone official looking.
I can wait. Its just a fish..keep your walleye until the pandemic is over.
Besides its good for us out of state. You guys and gals will kill your self and the out of starters will fill the void when its over. WTF . wash your hands..and keep smoking..
Stanton
Hey Buddy I'm not hiding in some basement!! I'm in my father's atomic bomb shelter.😂😂
Stay safe everyone. It's a crazy time right now....