Lake Erie anglers

Fishing for walleyes, the big daddy for Lake Erie anglers, will be exceptional this year, thanks to outstanding hatches in 2014 and 2015. Anglers can expect to encounter many walleyes from year classes dating back to 2009 along with a fair number of fish hatched in 2003 and now measuring 28 inches and more. With a lot of fish from the successful 2015 hatches available this year, Erie walleye anglers can expect to catch a few sub-15-inchers. Anglers are reminded Erie walleyes less than 15 inches long must be released immediately.The daily walleye possession limit is four through April 30.
Quota allocations set by representatives of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan and Ontario set the possession limit at six walleyes daily from May 1 through Feb. 28, 2018.Yellow perch, easy to catch and tasty on the table, will be readily available this year on Erie waters, especially in the western basin. Central basin anglers will find average numbers, with most of the perch coming from the 2012 year class and some from the 2014 hatch.
The daily bag limit for perch is 30 with no minimum length regulation.Fishing for hard-fighting smallmouth bass is expected to be on par with recent years. Smallmouths love the hard-bottom areas near and off shore, leaving the harbors and marshes to exceptional numbers of largemouth bass. Areas with vegetation, brush and wood cover are likely largemouth hangouts.