GREAT OUTDOORS: Walleye harvest rate highest in 45 years

Last Saturday, about 140 people gathered at Ohio Sea Grant's 45th annual charter captains conference at BGSU's Firelands campus in Huron to share updates about operating vessels and fishing in Lake Erie. Presentations were given by several ODNR personnel, including a Parks and Watercraft officer and Division of Wildlife (DOW) biologists from the fisheries research stations, the Lake Erie law enforcement supervisor and Chief Kendra Wecker. Wecker reviewed some of the DOW's accomplishments including expanding their social media exposure, license sales, strong partnerships with Ohio's sportsman and conservation groups and delivery of the new 55-foot research boat R/V Walleye to the Sandusky Fisheries Research Station, before presenting the Charter Boat Captain of the Year award to Captain Dan O'Connor, of D.O.C. Charters. Recognition for exemplary service to the Lake Erie fishing community comes with the honor of receiving fishing guide license No. 1 this season and the assignment to take the governor fishing during the annual Fish Ohio Day. The presentation that many charter captains look most forward to hearing each year is the recap of the previous fishing season and the upcoming outlook. Sandusky DOW Fisheries Research Station Supervisor Eric Weimer shared that 2025 walleye catches were excellent, with the highest harvest rate (0.93 walleye/hour) in 45 years. He anticipates good walleye fishing to continue in 2026 with abundant 16-25-inch and larger fish and plenty of sub-legal, younger walleye also present. Yellow perch fishing was poor in 2025, with low populations in the Central Basin and unusually warm water temperatures in the Western Basin impacting angler catches. News of walleye spawning on Hardy Point Reef in the Central Basin was announced by Fisheries Biologist Andrew Gable of the DOW's Fairport Harbort Fisheries Research Station. DOW's Lake Erie Law Enforcement Supervisor Matt Leibengood cited efforts to check for fishing, hunting and trapping license compliance; monitoring commercial fishing activity; inspecting bait shops in search of exotic fish species; and seeking out unlicensed guides. Chuck Kakuska, President of Sea K's Maritime Licensing Service, reviewed what documents charter captains need to obtain. Eric Fisher, president of On the Water Marine Insurance, spoke about how to protect oneself from liability limits, warranty expirations, inadequate days of coverage and other shortcomings that captains need to heed to help minimize business risks. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary members clarified fire extinguisher rules and a Lake Erie Foundation representative spoke of activities that involve working with government agencies, legislators, scientists and farmers. Priority objectives include their opposition to the placement of wind turbines in the lake; reducing harmful algal blooms; and curbing plastic and microplastic pollution. DOW's Lake Erie Administrator Travis Hartman ended the presentations with a review of the lake's commercial fishing industry and how it operates under the guidance of interagency perch population management. He explained the nets being used, the scope of the licensed fleet, how the harvest is split between commercial and recreational uses and the rules they must follow. Netters have a perch season (May 1 to Dec. 10), minimum length requirement (8.5 inches), individual quotas, seasonally and permanently closed areas of the lake and real time vessel tracking mandates. Exceptions occur, but commercial netting activity most often occurs east of Kelleys Island or in Maumee Bay. Recreational fishing is highest in the Catawba to Reefs/Islands area, which usually minimizes competition between these user groups locally.