Lake Erie Committee Recommends 33% Cut in Walleye Take in 2008
March 19, 2008
Fishery managers on March 18 recommended a 33 percent reduction in the number of walleye that could be taken from Lake Erie in 2008 by commercial and sports fishermen. The managers also recommended an 11 percent reduction in the “total allowable take” of yellow perch.
"Walleye and yellow perch fisheries in Lake Erie fluctuate based on annual spawning and survival," said Lake Erie Committee chair Mike Morencie of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Recommendations from the fishery managers in Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario are implemented by the various state agencies, such as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The fishery managers, who make up the Lake Erie Committee, cited poor walleye and yellow perch hatches in three of the past six years and a below-average hatch last year. They said their recommendations are made to maintain and protect remaining stocks.
The committee recommended a maximum take of 3.59 million walleye in 2008 compared to 5.36 million last year, with an actual 2007 harvest of 4.5 million fish. In 2008, Ohio would be entitled to 1.85 million fish, Ontario 1.56 million fish, and Michigan 191,000 million fish.
For yellow perch, the committee recommended a total allowable of 10.2 million pounds, compared to 11.4 million pounds last year, with an actual harvest of 9.7 million pounds. Under the 2008 recommendations, Ontario’s allocation would be 4.9 million pounds of yellow perch, Ohio's would be 4.4 million pounds and Michigan’s 128,000 pounds.
[Walleye amounts are expressed in total number of fish, whereas yellow perch amounts are listed in pounds.]
Lake Erie’s walleye fishery is becoming increasingly reliant on a dwindling 2003 class.
"As the committee did last year, we advise constituents that the outlook for higher catch limits is unlikely for the foreseeable future,” Mr. Morencie said. “We appreciate that lower harvest levels are hard on both commercial and recreational fishers and on local communities. We remain committed to working together to minimize those hardships while taking into account the management actions that must occur to ensure the continued health of the fishery.”
For more information, visit the Lake Erie Committee online at www.glfc.org/lec .
"Walleye and yellow perch fisheries in Lake Erie fluctuate based on annual spawning and survival," said Lake Erie Committee chair Mike Morencie of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
Recommendations from the fishery managers in Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario are implemented by the various state agencies, such as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The fishery managers, who make up the Lake Erie Committee, cited poor walleye and yellow perch hatches in three of the past six years and a below-average hatch last year. They said their recommendations are made to maintain and protect remaining stocks.
The committee recommended a maximum take of 3.59 million walleye in 2008 compared to 5.36 million last year, with an actual 2007 harvest of 4.5 million fish. In 2008, Ohio would be entitled to 1.85 million fish, Ontario 1.56 million fish, and Michigan 191,000 million fish.
For yellow perch, the committee recommended a total allowable of 10.2 million pounds, compared to 11.4 million pounds last year, with an actual harvest of 9.7 million pounds. Under the 2008 recommendations, Ontario’s allocation would be 4.9 million pounds of yellow perch, Ohio's would be 4.4 million pounds and Michigan’s 128,000 pounds.
[Walleye amounts are expressed in total number of fish, whereas yellow perch amounts are listed in pounds.]
Lake Erie’s walleye fishery is becoming increasingly reliant on a dwindling 2003 class.
"As the committee did last year, we advise constituents that the outlook for higher catch limits is unlikely for the foreseeable future,” Mr. Morencie said. “We appreciate that lower harvest levels are hard on both commercial and recreational fishers and on local communities. We remain committed to working together to minimize those hardships while taking into account the management actions that must occur to ensure the continued health of the fishery.”
For more information, visit the Lake Erie Committee online at www.glfc.org/lec .