Anglers took to the water in Port Clinton for the 46th annual event highlighting fishing, tourism and family traditions.

PORT CLINTON, Ohio — A decades-long Ohio tradition continued Tuesday as anglers took to Lake Erie for the 46th annual Governor’s Fish Ohio Day.

About 20 boats launched off the coast, giving fishermen the chance to experience one of Ohio’s most popular outdoor activities while highlighting the importance of the state’s fish population.



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Gov. Mike DeWine participated in the event for the final time as governor

“People come here from all over because they want to catch walleye,” DeWine said. “I like to eat perch. I like to eat walleye, but it’s the walleye that I think has really attracted so many people to come here and so it’s just very, very important.”

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says fishing brings billions of dollars into the state each year through tourism.

“What we like to see is they’re spending their tourism dollars here and they’re staying in our hotels and eating in the restaurants and getting to know Ohio and seeing one of the greatest natural resources we have, which is Lake Erie, and there’s so much more to do there,” said Mary Mertz, director of the ODNR.

Fishing conditions were challenging Tuesday, with poor weather in recent days and a rising mayfly population impacting the bite. 

DeWine said the event has always been about more than just catching fish.

“It’s a fun experience for them,” DeWine said. “It’s also, frankly, an opportunity to be together as a family, and if you look at fishing, you look at sailing, you look at all the different things that people do along Lake Erie, so much of it is family related.”

This year’s event also marked a transition, as it was DeWine’s final year as governor and Mertz’s last year leading ODNR.

“I’ve enjoyed it very much. I’ve enjoyed being governor. I’ve enjoyed doing these Fish Ohios. It is a fun activity,” DeWine said.

“We’ve enjoyed it every single year. I won’t be surprised if there’s not sometime in the future that (DeWine) and I go fishing together after all this is over,” Mertz said.

DeWine said he’s talked to both Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton, the candidates to replace him in November’s general election, and he’s hoping they can display as much enthusiasm for the event as he did for seven years.