43
Popular Lake Erie fish are plentiful
Walleyes and yellow perch, the two species that contribute to Lake Erie’s acknowledgement as one of the world’s great fisheries, have produced a Class of 2017 that would appear to be large enough to sustain the big lake’s reputation.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources reported this week the 2017 hatches of Lake Erie perch and walleye are near their annual averages. That’s great news for anglers who enjoy the sport and table qualities of the two popular Erie fish.
An ODNR news release said the annual August bottom trawls for young-of-the-year walleyes and perch yielded catches that fisheries biologists analyzed and compared to previous years to estimate the success of the walleye and perch hatches.
Ohio waters of Lake Erie’s western basin – the island region – revealed 280 yellow perch per hectare. One hectare is a metric unit equal to 2.47 acres. The 20-year average for yellow perch is 300 fish per hectare.
Yellow perch are highly prized as excellent table fare and are popular targets for anglers seeking family fun and cooler-filling action. Many complained, however, that perch were hard to find on Lake Erie this year.
This year’s trawl results should be good news for perch anglers.
According to a chart provided by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, this year’s hatch is the fifth in a row that biologists consider to be successful. It appears to be four to five times better than the poor 2010 and 2011 hatches, a trend that should produce good fishing in 2018 and beyond.
Walleyes, meanwhile, also did a good job during this year’s spawn.
The Division of Wildlife reported average to excellent hatches from three of the past four hatches, resulting in an abundance of young walleye. They are mixed in with older and larger fish to form the foundation for a thriving walleye fishery.
Ohio surveys found 21 walleye per hectare. The average over the past 20 years is 22 walleye per hectare.
All of this means, of course, that anglers looking to book charters or tow their boats to Lake Erie will continue to find good to excellent fishing for perch and walleye.
That does not mean, however, that we can simply drop lines over the side and find fish.
Lake Erie is an extremely dynamic fishery. Vast in size and broad in complexity, Lake Erie can provide the best fishing you’ve ever enjoyed one day and appear to be a fishless desert the next.
Anglers who lack Erie experience may want to hire a charter captain. They fish almost every day and are in touch with the locations of the big schools and productive tactics.
Whether you are planning a trip around the reefs and islands in the western basin or an off-shore excursion for the big fish that prowl the giant schools of baitfish in the central basin, a veteran guide will be more than happy to share the boat and put you on fish.
If you decide to book a charter, be sure to ask the captain whether your party can fish for perch once the walleye limits are filled.
Sometimes the fishing is so fast and furious that limits come quickly and the skipper is heading back to the dock by mid-morning. If you intend to fish a full day and not quit when you hit your limit, it’s good to know your captain will oblige.
Guides respect Erie’s big water and are familiar with its tendency to brew storms. They are trained and experienced in handling trouble from breakdowns to thunderstorms.