PORT CLINTON \u2014 Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine celebrated the 46th\u00a0annual Governor\u2019s Lake Erie Fish Ohio Day with Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz, Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker, and other leaders from the conservation and tourism industries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWalleye fishing on Lake Erie is one of the many reasons Ohio is extraordinary,\u201d DeWine said. \u201cFish Ohio Day is a chance to celebrate clean water, experience Lake Erie\u2019s incredible fishery, and strengthen partnerships that will keep our great lake healthy for generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event is co-sponsored by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, and Shores & Islands Ohio. Participants in the day\u2019s festivities enjoyed walleye fishing on Ohio\u2019s Great Lake thanks to 21 licensed charter boat captains who donated their boats for use during the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cLake Erie is one of Ohio\u2019s greatest treasures,\u201d said Lt. Governor Jim Tressel. \u201cThe tradition of FishOhio reminds us how fortunate we are to have this natural resource in our backyard and the responsibility we share to protect it for families to enjoy far into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lake Erie is renowned as the Walleye Capital of the World and is a premier recreation destination. Ohio\u2019s portion of the lake boasts the best walleye fishing in the country. Ohio has a legion of 1.7 million anglers who contribute considerably to Ohio\u2019s economy. <\/p>\n
In 2022, anglers spent $5.5 billion and supported 34,000 jobs in the Buckeye State.<\/p>\n
Anglers can expect exceptional walleye fishing for many years to come. Each year, the Division of Wildlife monitors Lake Erie\u2019s walleye population to guide management decisions. <\/p>\n
Walleye hatch success has been well above average for seven of the last 10 years, including the three largest hatches ever surveyed. Anglers will mostly catch abundant 2- to 6-year-old fish ranging from 15 to 24 inches. <\/p>\n
Larger fish from 2015 and earlier hatches will provide chances to reel in a\u00a0Fish Ohio<\/a>\u00a0qualifying walleye (minimum 28 inches).<\/p>\n The health of Lake Erie is a top priority for Governor DeWine\u2019s administration through the\u00a0H2Ohio initiative,<\/a>\u00a0which is improving water quality in Lake Erie and its tributaries.\u00a0<\/p>\n