Yellow perch catch limit reduced for central Lake Erie

HURON — State officials have reduced the catch limit for yellow perch taken along Ohio's central Lake Erie coast. But the catch limit for the Western Basin is not affected. The catch limit from Huron to Fairport Harbor, which is east of Cleveland, has been reduced to 10 yellow perch a day, effective May 1, the Ohio Division of Wildlife announced. But Ohio's daily limits will remain at 30 in the Western Basin from Toledo to Huron and farther east from Fairport Harbor to Conneaut. The perch population in the Western Basin is stronger, state wildlife officials explained. "Low yellow perch hatches in recent years have caused the daily limit to be reduced to 10 from Huron to Fairport Harbor," said Kendra Wecker, the division of wildlife's chief. "Science-based management shows us that we have to act quickly to ensure that the yellow perch population has time to improve in select areas of the Central Basin." Wildlife officials say they have been forced to apply, what they say is, a "very conservative" quota for yellow perch fishing that will stretch from May 1 to Feb. 28, 2022. Central Basin yellow perch hatches have been well below average, they said. The limit will remain at 30 until April 30 this year. The walleye hatches have been doing well, wildlife officials say. The walleye daily limit on Lake Erie is 6 fish per angler with a 15-inch minimum length limit. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass fishing also should be good this year. The daily limit is five bass per day with a 14-inch minimum size limit through April 30, 2021, and then again from June 26, 2021, to April 30, 2022. Anglers may harvest one bass per day, with a minimum size limit of 18 inches from May 1 to June 25, 2021, during the spawning season. Updated Lake Erie fishing reports are available by calling 888-HOOKFISH (466-5347). Information on Lake Erie research and management programs, fisheries resources, maps, and links to other Lake Erie web resources are available at wildohio.gov.