Early forecast: Fishing on Lake Erie expected to be good this year

PORT CLINTON, Ohio (AP) — The fishing forecast for Lake Erie is looking good for this year as long as the weather cooperates.

A fishing expert with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources says there are plenty of walleye, perch and smallmouth bass in the lake.

But one charter fishing captain tells The News-Herald newspaper in Port Clinton that this year’s catch will depend on the weather and the lake’s algae blooms that have increased over the last few years.

Last year’s walleye catch was one of the lowest in years, and fishing on Lake Erie was down overall.

That was mostly because of an unusually rainy spring and early summer.

The state says this year’s warm weather is allowing anglers to get off to early start.