After reading the whole thread 3 times I believe the reference to better than the 2003 hatch is pointed to the 2015 hatch. Like gregnwtf stated the ODNR survey net boats are out there getting a feel of what is going on with the 2015 hatch and recruitment. It is not unusual to catch fingerling walleyes 3" to 4" long while perch fishing in August and later.

The survey results are tabulated after the late August Trawls but their research is not limited to just that one specific time frame even if the official numbers that they use are limited to that August time frame. I believe the total number per hector Acre would have to be well above the 350 threshold to beat the 2003 hatch. Reports that I have gotten seems to indicate that it may very well be a fact! But at this time I am not being supportive of those reports as in the past similar reports have turned out to be way over estimated. So if the reports turn out to be as good as indicated great but please don't blame me for posting what little bit of information I have if they are not. In other words don't count on those reports being accurate just yet.