04. 05. 22

Lake Erie Committee Sets Yellow Perch and Walleye Allowable Catches for 2022

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Lake Erie, News, Perch, Walleye

Ann Arbor, MI— Lake Erie fishery managers from Michigan, New York, Ohio, Ontario and
Pennsylvania—meeting as the binational Lake Erie Committee (LEC)—agreed to a total
allowable catch (TAC) for 2022 of 14.533 million walleye and 7.185 million pounds of yellow
perch. Walleye are allocated by number of fish and yellow perch are allocated in pounds.
These TACs represent an increase in walleye from 12.284 million fish last year and an
increase for yellow perch from 6.238 million pounds of fish. Specific allocations of both
species are presented below by jurisdiction.
The LEC makes TAC decisions by consensus of the members. The LEC’s TAC
recommendations are produced after extensive, lakewide biological assessments, analyses,
discussions, and consultations with stakeholders. The recommendations are consistent with the
status of Lake Erie’s fish populations, taking into the account the goal of stable harvest. The
individual state and provincial governments implement the TACs in their jurisdiction in
accordance with their respective regulations and management objectives.

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WALLEYE: Guided by the Walleye Management Plan, which was developed in consultation
with the Lake Erie Percid Management Advisory Group (LEPMAG), the LEC set a 2022
lakewide walleye TAC of 14.533 million fish, an 18% increase over the 2021 TAC of 12.284
million fish. The increased TAC reflects continued strong recruitment and high population
levels over the last several years. The Province of Ontario and the states of Ohio and Michigan
share the TAC based on a formula of walleye habitat within each jurisdiction in the western
and central basins of the lake. Under the 2022 TAC, Ohio will be entitled to 7.428 million fish,
Ontario 6.258 million fish, and Michigan 0.847 million fish. Jurisdictions in eastern Lake Erie
are outside of the TAC area, but harvest limits are set consistent with lakewide objectives.

YELLOW PERCH: The yellow perch fishery is divided into four management units (MU), which
generally correspond to the western, west-central, east-central, and eastern basins of Lake Erie. The
LEC has strived to maintain sustainable harvest while responding to changing abundance. The
proposed TAC represents differences among the management units in abundance and biomass.
Guided by the Yellow Perch Management Plan (YPMP), the LEC has finalized TAC decisions
for each management unit as follows: The TAC in MU 1 will increase to 3.038 million

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pounds. The TAC in MU 2 will decrease to 0.537 million pounds. The TAC in MU 3 will
increase to 3.082 million pounds. The TAC in MU 4 will increase to 0.528 million pounds.
In making these recommendations, the LEC relied on the YPMP, which was also developed in
consultation with the LEPMAG, and provided the technical foundation for the LEC’s
decisions. The plan established harvest policies aimed at maintaining population and fishery
sustainability for each MU using a stakeholder driven process. Each harvest policy was
extensively evaluated using simulation modeling with data inputs from fishery-dependent and
fishery-independent sources. The YPMP was designed to ensure fishery sustainability and
quality to satisfy conservation and maintain socio-economic benefits.

03. 31. 22

2022 WIll be another great Walleye season

Posted in: Lake Erie, News, Perch, Walleye

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Lake Erie anglers can expect world-class walleye fishing opportunities to continue during the 2022 fishing season following years of strong hatches, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Lake Erie maintains its title as The Walleye Capital of the World thanks to science-based management guiding regulations that conserve and ensure long-term angling opportunities across Ohio’s waters.

Additionally, a strong yellow perch population in Lake Erie’s west zone will provide good fishing in 2022, while low catch rates are expected to continue in the central and east zones.

Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries are managed through an interagency quota system. Each jurisdiction regulates its catches to comply with annually determined safe harvest levels that ensure sustainability. The most recent quotas were announced on Friday, March 25.

Walleye

The walleye daily limit on Lake Erie is six fish per angler with a 15-inch minimum length limit. Walleye hatch success has been exceptional for six of the past eight years. Anglers will mostly catch abundant 2- to 4-year-old-fish ranging from 15 to 22 inches. Larger fish from 2015 and earlier hatches will provide chances to reel in a Fish Ohio qualifying walleye (minimum 28 inches).

Abundant young fish will show up in the catch and range from 9 to 14 inches, with an increasing number of 2-year-olds reaching 15 inches as the season progresses. Anglers are encouraged to release these sub-legal fish with as little handling as possible so they can contribute to the future fishery.

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The Stray Cat

Yellow perch

Yellow perch abundance in the west zone from Toledo to Huron was above average in 2021 and is expected to remain strong in 2022, supported by consistent hatch success. The 2021 season occasionally provided good fishing in the west zone and should again in 2022. The best success is anticipated during July through mid-August during warm-water periods, and again during mid-October through November as adult perch move to shallow water to feed.

Lake Erie’s central zone from Huron to Fairport Harbor continues to experience low yellow perch abundance, primarily driven by poor to moderate hatches during the past decade. Conservative quotas continue to be set each year. In the east zone from Fairport Harbor to Conneaut, catches have been similar to the central zone with a slightly larger adult population. Catch rates are expected to remain low during the 2022 season, except for times such as late fall when adult perch congregate in larger schools near harbors.

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Yellow perch daily limits for each zone remain as described in the 2022-23 fishing regulations until May 1, 2022. Any adjustments in daily limits will be announced at wildohio.gov and on an insert printed for Ohio’s fishing regulations brochure before May 1.

Lake Erie fishing reports, information on Lake Erie research and management programs, fisheries resources, maps, and links to other Lake Erie web resources are available at wildohio.gov. The current fishing regulations can be found on the HuntFish OH app, at wildohio.gov, or locations where fishing licenses are sold.

The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.

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. 

07. 21. 17

Perch Fishing Report Lake Erie Michigan 07-21-2017

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Lake Erie, Perch

Perch fishing is starting to pick up in Michigan waters. W buoy out in front of Toledo Beach Marina has produced limit catches but it’s on again off again. E buoy area is producing some sizable perch to, but it’s hit or miss. Out towards the end of the Raisin River buoys in 20 feet of water  holds perch but you have to move around til you find a sizable school to fish. The bite seems to start off slow then pick up, give it a half hour in one spot. If the bite doesn’t improve move, sometimes it only takes moving 200 yards or so. Some walleye are being caught but be sure they are over 15″ if you keep them. There have been a lot of tickets passed out for “15” walleye this season on both the Michigan and Ohio side of the lake!! So far Ohio waters have produced the most consistent catches of yellow perch. Either side of the shipping channel north of the Toledo Lighthouse all the way to Sputnik. 

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Lake Erie Perch Fishing Charter

 

07. 20. 16

What do Walleye really See

Posted in: Just for Fun, Lake Erie, News, Walleye

14 TWINE LINE

2016 SUMMER EDITION

Watching Fish See

New Ohio Sea Grant research aims to improve Lake Erie’s walleye fishery

by Christina Dierkes, Ohio Sea Grant Communications

No matter how useful it will eventually be, sometimes science just looks silly. In Dr. Suzanne Gray’s lab at The Ohio State University, a fish in a cylindrical tank slowly swims in circles as it follows the black and white panel rotating around the outside of the glass. Gray and her Ohio State collaborators, Dr. Jeremy Bruskotter and Eugene Braig, are studying how well fish can see both prey and predators underwater, and how that ability is influenced by changes in water clarity. They hope that the research will help Lake Erie fisheries adapt to algal blooms that reduce underwater visibility, which is important to visual hunters such as Walleye. Those important sport fish, along with prey fish like Emerald Shiners, are the current focus of the project. “We wanted to integrate this really basic science – visual physiology – with the people who are out there catching the fish,” Gray said. “Walleye fishing in Ohio is close to a $1.8 billion industry, and Walleye are going to be influenced in some way by changes to the visual environment that happen with the algal blooms in the late summer and fall.” PhD student Chelsey Nieman already completed a pilot study for the project at Stone Lab, working out details like setting up tanks for various experiments and taking care of the fish used in the study. Her two months at the lab were funded by Ohio Sea Grant’s Small Grants Program, which provides up to $10,000 in research support to applicants. “Chelsey will be the first graduate student working on this project,” Gray said. “She actually has a Master’s degree that is interdisciplinary, so it included fisheries, but also incorporated a social science component. So she’s really excited about using her expertise for the citizen science work on this project as well.” That work will focus on Lake Erie charter boat captains who regularly take clients out to fish for the species of interest to the project.

Lake Erie WalleyeThe researchers will use surveys and interviews to draw on the captains’ expertise in selecting lures, based on years of fishing experience, and test those lures in the lab setting to provide science-based data for anecdotal knowledge of what lures work best for which fish under varying conditions. “Our goal is to create a citizen science project associated with fishing success, with different colors or types of lures, under different turbidity conditions,” Gray explained. “We’ve had a positive response from the fishermen, who want to do anything they can to understand the fishery better. Which makes sense; it’s their livelihood and these blooms are potentially harmful to their business.” The project also received letters of support from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Sandusky Fisheries Research Unit, which helps manage Fisheries in Lake Erie, and Ohio Sea Grant Extension, which educates the public about sustainable local fisheries.

05. 13. 16

Fishing Report Lake Erie Monroe, Michigan 05-13-2016

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Lake Erie, Walleye

Walleye fishing is starting to pick up again around Stoney Point. The water temperature is in the mid 50’s. Trolling Thunder Stick Jr. in purple, or darker colors seemed best from 16 to 24 feet of water.

Lots of spikes over the dumping grounds with a few nice keeper walleye. The water was murky from recent storms and run off. Take it slow on the speed the fish are still a little lethargic but the water temp. is on the rise. My buddies caught a few trolling from “E” buoy towards Bolls Harbor yesterday, but again lots of spikes. Keep checking your lines because it’s hard to tell when your loaded up with the lil fellers!

Lots of boats fishing between Turtle Island and the Toledo Lighthouse, some jigging some trolling. Success rates vary due to water clarity and run off from the Maumee River. If you fish this area make sure you know where your at, you may want to have an Ohio fishing license on board, the Michigan Ohio boarder runs right through the middle of Turtle Island and heads North to the Detroit River

04. 14. 16

Walleye and Perch fishing should be very good in 2016

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Lake Erie, Perch, Walleye

Time to book a walleye and perch fishing trip

 The daily bag limit will be six walleye from May 1 through Feb. 28, 2017.

A 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect during the entire season for walleye. The yellow perch daily bag limit will be 30 from May 1 through April 30, 2017, 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.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources points out that walleye and yellow perch fisheries in Lake Erie are managed by a quota system that involves Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York, as well as Ohio. Ohio’s catch limits are set after the state gets allocations from the Lake Erie Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

Walleye


Lake Erie charter fishing Stray Cat Fishing Charter Lake Erie, Michigan

Lake Erie walleye fishing charter

Ohio walleye anglers will catch fish mostly from the 2014 and 2013 hatches, with some fish from the 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 year classes. Additional fish from 2007 and 2003 will also be harvested by anglers. Walleye from the average 2014 hatch will range from 15-18 inches, while walleye from the 2013 hatch will be between 16-20 inches. Fish from the 2003 and 2007 hatches are likely to carry most of the Central Basin fisheries, and a good number of these walleye will be over the 26-inch range. Large walleye from 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. Additionally, in 2016, anglers should see a number of smaller (less than 15 inches) fish from the excellent 2015 hatch.

Yellow Perch


Derek with a Lake Erie double perch

Lake Erie double perch

Expect good perch fishing in 2016, with improving numbers of fish in the Western Basin. Perch anglers should encounter fish ranging from 7 to 13 inches from the 2014 through 2008 hatches this year, with major contributions from the 2014, 2011 and 2008 year classes. Fish from the average-to-better hatches in 2007 will contribute fish in the 10-plus inch range.

“In 2015, yellow perch fisheries flourished in the eastern portions of Ohio’s Lake Erie, and we expect this trend to continue into 2016,” said Jeff Tyson, Lake Erie fishing program administrator.

08. 27. 15

Fishing Report Lake Erie, Monroe Michigan 8/27/2015

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Lake Erie, Perch, Walleye

Walleye fishing has been very slow this past week. A captain friend has been fishing the North end of the Michigan dump. Tuesday he took 18 walleye, Wednesday 4, and Thursday 16 all on wiggle warts 80 back (Superman, Green Spec, orange Spec and Gold w/black back and red bill) – low divers set at 1 1/2 with any gold colored Jr. Streaks.

Lake Erie Perch fishing charter trip

Ben’s first double Lake Erie perch

Perch fishing has been very good all week. I’ve been fishing between the Michigan and Ohio dump earlier in the week and had limit catches each day with 5 to 6 people on board. Wednesday I fished between “S” buoy and the Toledo lighthouse and took 180 perch in about 4 hours, we had to weed through lots of small 5 to 6 inch perch. I burned up a lot of bait, so make sure your purchase about a third more than you would normally purchase. Today (Thursday 8/27) I had 3 guests and took the largest catch of the week size wise  near Mineikes Marina and the lighthouse. I moved around a few times and ended up near the marina in 14 feet of water. The light North East wind didn’t seem to bother the perch bite. I did get checked by the Ohio DNR, make sure you have your Ohio fishing license with you- it’s 30 per person and 2 rods per person. One of the guests on a charter boat out of our marina forgot his license and was ticketed today. Another captain fished on the line between “E” buoy and the second set of cans North of the lighthouse they caught 150 perch between 7 and 10 inches, he also burned lots of bait up on small perch. North of Stoney Point in 24 to 26 feet of water has produced a mixed bag of perch yellow perch and white perch.
07. 30. 15

Fishing Report Lake Erie, Monroe MI 07/30/2015

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Lake Erie, Perch, Walleye

Lake Erie walleye fishing charter trip near Monroe MichiganDespite the hotter temperatures a fair amount of walleye are sticking around North of “E” buoy to the Raisin River and along the Michigan / Ohio boarder. I’ve been fishing with wiggle warts 70 and 80 feet back. Seems like everyone I’ve talked to has a favorite wart color. Green and orange speck seem to produce on my boat. Some of the guy’s are still running spoons and divers with great success but they are catching more white perch and small walleye. I’ve run small salmon spoons on my high and low divers and that helped keep off some of the smaller fish and it’s also taken my larger walleye. Silver Streak mini spoons in Malibu Barbie, Mixed Veggies. You’ll have to keep checking the divers frequently for small fish your your wasting your time running them.

Perch fishing has also been good around “W” buoy and “C” buoy inside the Michigan dump. Off the #1 buoy of the Raisin River and out in front of Bolles Harbor in 20 plus feet of water. Remember if you don’t start getting bites within a 10 minutes or so move a little. Sometimes you only have to move 100 yards. If you see someone catching perch resist the urge to anchor up by them. Experience has shown you will never pull the fish from the other boat, Better off to find your own school of perch.

07. 24. 15

Fishing Report Lake Erie, walleye – perch, Monroe Michigan 07-23-2015

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Just for Fun, Lake Erie, News, Perch, Walleye

Walleye fishing has really picked up this past week, thanks to a steady weather pattern. Many limit catches have been taken  all week from “E” buoy to the Raisin River in 22 feet of water. Wiggle warts have been good off the planner boards keeping small walleye (spikes) from biting 70 to 80 feet back in 22 feet of water. Spoons and divers seem to be taking the bigger walleye and more walleye spikes. I like running wiggle warts they are a lot more forgiving on speed and like to be run from 2.2 to 2.7 mph. If your not catching speed up a little at a time till you hit that sweet spot. I was catching some nice eye’s hear and there earlier in the week and starting tapping the throttle a little bit at a time next thing I knew all heck broke lose with a triple then a double. Also cock the angle of your troll a few degrees and that can trigger a bite on both sides of your boat. Caught a few very large walleye near the Michigan, Ohio boarder. Some of the guy’s I talked to this week were casting and dragging crawler harness’s did good on the day’s we enough breeze for a good drift.

Be careful about crossing over into Ohio, the Ohio DNR CO”s have been patrolling the boarder often. Make sure you have a valid Ohio fishing license, and your only allowed 2 rods per person.

Lake Erie walleye fishing charter trip

Trevor with a Lake Erie walleye and Muskie

Perch fishing has been crazy good off the edges of the Raisin River channel, Bolles Harbor and out in front of Brest Bay in 20 to 24 feet of water. With many limit catches one can afford to do a little sorting while fishing. The only problem the guy’s were having was finding a good steady supply of the right size minnows. All in all it really didn’t matter because the perch have been so aggressive. If you have an Ohio license McDonald’s area has been a sure bet for a limit catch but remember the limit is 30 per person.

07. 10. 15

Fishing Report Lake Erie Monroe, Michigan 07/09/2015

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Lake Erie, News, Perch, Walleye

Once again the weather is playing a big roll in the fishing on Lake Erie in the Western Basin near Monroe, Michigan. The wind seems to switch everyday and sometimes during my trips, shutting the walleye down.  Walleye fishing has been very good in the morning from 6am till about 10am. The afternoon bite has been spotty. I caught all 20 inch plus fish between Sputnik and West Sister Island in 26 to 30 feet of water Wednesday morning. I went back out on my afternoon trip and it looked like a desert, fishing was painfully slow. The walleye were deep, I fished mini disc’s from 100 to 110 feet back. I also tried 30 jet divers 90 back, both seemed to produce. The fish seemed to prefer Silver Streak spoons with copper backs.  Shrimp, puff’s, UV mango, Blueberry Muffin on the high divers 55 to 62 back and mixed Veggies on the low divers 38 to 42 back.  The North water from The Raisin River up to Stoney Point and the Fermi plant have been producing very good catchs of walleye if your drifting. Trolling has been out of the question due to massaive amouts of weeds! 

The good news is, the perch have been on the bite! limit catchs around “C” and “W” can using emerald shiners in 12 to 17 feet of water. the water looks a little muddy but the perch are there. 

A word of caution – there are still lots of floating timber in the water, so keep a sharp look out for logs.

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