Lake Erie anglers can expect the 2026 season to again offer world-class fishing as walleye from Lake Erie’s recent large hatches continue to grow, anglers can expect even more “Fish Ohio” sized walleyes to be caught in The Walleye Capital of the World. A Lake Erie “Fish Ohio” walleye is a fish measuring 28 inches or more in length.
Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch 2026 quotas were announced by the Lake Erie Committee; however, angler daily harvest limits remain unchanged in Ohio for 2026 and will be in effect through April 30, 2027.
Yellow perch populations continue to struggle in most of Lake Erie, however a stable yellow perch population in Lake Erie’s west zone should provide good fishing in 2026.
Ohio’s Lake Erie Angler Daily Limits (May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027)
* Walleye: 6 fish per day, 15-inch minimum length requirement
* Yellow perch, west zone (approximately Toledo to Huron): 30 fish per day
* Yellow Perch, central zone (approximately Huron to Fairport Harbor): 10 fish per day
* Yellow Perch, east zone (approximately Fairport Harbor to Conneaut): 20 fish per day
Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries are managed through an interagency quota system. Each jurisdiction regulates its catches with annually determined harvest levels that ensure sustainability. Good luck and safe catching this season!
Girl Scouts reach tree planting milestone
With the planting of trees May 2 at Deer Creek Wildlife Area, the Ohio Division of Forestry and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) have officially surpassed a conservation milestone by planting 250,000 trees across Ohio as part of the Girl Scout Tree Promise to officially reach that goal.
“This is a wonderful achievement for Ohio’s Girl Scouts,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “I want to thank everyone who helped plant more than 250,000 trees in our great state over the last few years that will stand now and for future generations to enjoy.”
Launched in April 2021, the Girl Scout Tree Promise is a nationwide effort to plant 5 million trees over five years while fostering environmental stewardship and conservation education. In 2022, ODNR committed to supporting Ohio’s Girl Scouts and their goal of planting 250,000 trees in Ohio by spring 2026. Through collaborative planting events, educational programming, and hands-on experiences, ODNR is proud that this goal has now been exceeded with today’s event.
Since 2023, tree plantings have been conducted in state forests, wildlife areas, parks, and nature preserves throughout Ohio. In total, 250,672 trees have been planted through the partnership, with species selected to support long-term forest health and ecological resilience. They include oaks, hickories, black walnut, American sycamore, persimmon, American chestnut, and other native species.
“In addition to planting events, ODNR launched the Forester for a Day program in 2023 to further connect Girl Scouts with forestry professionals,” stated ODNR Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser. “Through guided hikes, interactive activities, and career exploration opportunities, participants learn about tree identification, invasive species, forest management, and urban forestry while earning both the Tree Promise patch and an ODNR Forestry patch.”
To learn more about the Girl Scouts program and Ohio’s woodlands in general, visit forestry.ohiodnr.gov.
Early turkey harvest numbers up
Gobbler hunters in Ohio’s south zone checked 4,646 birds during the opening weekend of the spring hunting season. In 2025, hunters bagged 4,281 wild turkeys on the south zone’s opening weekend, with a three-year average (2023 to 2025) of 4,239. Results do not include the birds taken during the youth season.
The top 10 counties for wild turkeys checked during the opening weekend of the 2026 season were: Tuscarawas (144), Belmont (142), Brown (135), Guernsey (135), Gallia (131), Highland (131), Jefferson (127), Meigs (127), Monroe (126), and Adams (125).
Youth wild turkey hunters in Ohio’s south zone checked 1,941 birds during the state’s special youth-only weekend. The two-day season was open to hunters aged 17 and younger, and participants were required to be accompanied by a nonhunting adult.
The south wild turkey hunting zone encompasses 83 of Ohio’s 88 counties. The three-year average for turkeys taken in this area during the youth season (2023-2025) is 1,681 birds. In 2025, youth hunters checked 1,625 turkeys.
Turkey hunting in the south zone continues through May 24, and in the north zone through May 31.