For the Lake Erie angler, walleye fishing during the summer of 2003 was much better than expected. "We actually have just as many spawning walleyes in Lake Erie today as we did in the early 80s,” said Roger Knight, ODNR Lake Erie fisheries program manager.

Now, however, that success has many anglers questioning the decisions of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC) and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife to reduce creel limits and increase minimum sizes of walleye caught on Lake Erie.

During 2004, Ohio walleye anglers fishing Lake Erie will the minimum size increased from none to 15 inches; also, from March 1 to April 30, the creel limit is reduced from four to three; for all other times, the limit will remain at six. In Pennsylvania, the minimum size is increased from 15 to 18 inches and the creel limit reduced from six to four.

So, what are the reasons for the changes?

From the Annual Report of the Lake Erie Walleye Task Group

It is to protect the fishery. Because, currently, the number of adult walleye in Lake Erie is well below average compared to the 1990s when liberal creel limits were in effect. Walleye numbers are now increasing, but without a good sustaining population of adult spawning walleye, their numbers will again drop to the mid 90 levels.

A male walleye is sexually mature at the age of two. A female walleye is sexually mature at the age of three. Also, under ideal growing conditions, a walleye will reach the size of 13.5 inches at the age of two and 17.4 inches at the age of three.

According to Roger Kenyan, PF&BC fisheries biologist and Ohio DNR fisheries biologist, Travis Hartman, we had an excellent hatch of walleye in 2001 and 2003, but a poor 2002 hatch in Lake Erie. During the summer of 2004, the walleye from 2001 hatch are at the age of three and the 2003 hatch are at the age of two. These fish are being protected.

Walleye in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie, particularly those caught in the Western Basin tend to be smaller, and the 15-inch minimum size will protect most spawning fish. The walleye in Pennsylvania tend to be bigger, and the 18-inch size will protect most spawning fish.

Is it frustrating that Ohio's limit is six while Pennsylvania's is four? Yes. But if we work with the fishery biologists, it will be worth it. "We will probably see 50 million walleye by 2005," said Chuck Murray PF&BC fisheries biologist.

And when the population increases, I`m sure the biologists will recommend that the size and creel limits be adjusted accordingly.

Good Fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams