Lake Erie Walleye Fishing Prospects for 2008

ODNR has released its 2008 forecast for Lake Erie. Here is a summary for walleye and it looks very good for 2008. Read the entire report on the ODNR web site by clicking on the link below.


FROM ODNR:

Lake Erie anglers should enjoy another year of exceptional fishing in 2008, according to biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

"Lake Erie remains one of the greatest natural resources in our country," said Roger Knight, Lake Erie fisheries program manager at ODNR. "Where else but Lake Erie can an angler find such diversity of fish species and sizes? We anticipate excellent fishing opportunities once again this year for walleye and yellow perch, as well as strong fisheries for other species like smallmouth bass, white bass and steelhead."

Knight noted that anglers should have access to good fishing in the western and central basins due to the numerous public boat ramps, private marinas and shoreline areas. The large number of charter boats on the Ohio shore is also an asset.

Walleye
Ohio walleye anglers can expect to catch fish mostly from the 2003 hatch, with continued contributions from 1999 and 2001 hatches, as well as some fish from the 2005 hatch. Walleye from the 2003 hatch will be 20 to 24 inches long, while fish from the earlier hatches will range from 21 to 27 inches over the course of the fishing season. Fish from the 2005 hatch should be in the 15 to 18-inch range. Large walleye from strong hatches in the 1980s and mid-1990s still persist in the population, providing "Fish Ohio" trophy (more than 28 inches) opportunities.


"The walleye fishery in 2007 was better than the phenomenal fishery that we saw in 2006," said Knight. "Weather permitting, we expect to have another year of excellent walleye fishing, with an unbelievable average size of more than 20 inches in the catch."

The daily bag limit remains four fish per person during March and April, and six fish from May through February 2009. The 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect during the entire season.

Read the entire report by clicking on the link below:


http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/Fish...8/Default.aspx.