Lake Erie is one of the most intensively scrutinized and managed fisheries. There are a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations that provide stewardship, conduct research and regulate fishing and the fisheries of Lake Erie.

The organization charged with managing and sustaining Lake Erie fish stocks is the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, established by Canada and the United States in 1955, to research and recommend lake-wide fishing quotas. There are annual quotas or total allowable catch (TAC) for both commercial and recreational fishing for Lake Erie. Of the total legal amount of fish caught and removed from Lake Erie—two-thirds are caught by recreational anglers and one-third by commercial fishing.

The Ohio total allowable catch in 2005 was more than 5 million lbs, of which commercial fishing was allowed a little less than 2 million lbs. The total allotment for 2006 is up to 7.5 million lbs., of which commercial fishing in Ohio will be allowed approximately 3 million lbs. of fish, according to preliminary figures. Sport anglers will be allowed a little more than 3 million lbs. or 40 perch per day, up from 30.

Ohio’s commercial and sport fishing catch is mostly focused on popular yellow perch and walleye, however a variety of other species are fished in smaller quantities by both commercial and sport fleets. In 2005, commercial fishing removed approximately 430,000 lbs. of white perch out of Lake Erie while recreational anglers caught less than 60,000 lbs. (However, It is estimated, by some, that from 2001 to 2003 there was anywhere from 80,000 to 160,000 lbs of illegal yellow perch caught by commercial fishing.)

Commercial fishing
Lake Erie is home to what was one of the world's largest freshwater commercial fisheries. Once a mainstay, commercial fishing is now predominantly based in Canadian communities, with a much smaller fishery largely restricted to yellow perch in Ohio. The management of fishing on Lake Erie is decided by consensus of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and driven by comprehensive assessment programs and sophisticated mathematical modeling systems.

These fisheries are carefully managed but still, commercial fishing is the target of some who would like to see the lake’s fish resources for the exclusive benefit of sport fishing. The underlying issue is whether the lake can support sport and commercial fishing.

This historical conflict between commercial and sport fishing is complex, and fundamental changes in fisheries management has led to the near elimination of commercial fishing in most U.S. Great Lakes states.

Commercial fishing buy-out legislation
As a result of a long historical debate between sport and commercial fishing, House Bill 609 was introduced the Ohio State Legislature by Rep. Jim MacGregor (R-Gahanna). The bill would, “acquire all commercial fishing licenses currently issued and in reserve, including the purchase of any rights to renew such licenses,” and effectively phase-out all Ohio commercial fishing.

One argument against the passing of HB 609 is that Ohio commercial fisheries play an important role in maintaining a healthy environment in Lake Erie by controlling the population of low value, scrap fish such as carp and sheephead, and the predatory white perch. Because these fish compete against each other for food, and consume yellow perch, walleye eggs and other native species, without commercial fishing, the Lake Erie eco-system could be compromised.

Arguments for HB 609 state that commercial fishing has long been a blight on fish stocks, therefore affecting sport and recreational fishing yields. Those claims and recent legal charges that in the 1990s commercial fishing poached more than 40 tons of illegal catch have precipitate MacGregor’s sponsoring of the bill. The bill was not passed in 2006 but will be reviewed in the next Legislative session. 

Sport/Recreational fishing
Sport fishing has a long history in Ohio. Lake Erie fishing licenses brings in $14 million in revenue from sport fishing representing 1 million anglers. All fishing on Lake Erie and in Ohio requires a license and there are distinct regulations and limits based on species, size and season.

What are the rules and regulations?

The following regulations are in effect for Ohio's portion of Lake Erie and it's tributaries:

• There is a 14-inch minimum limit and daily bag of five bass (smallmouth and largemouth bass), and 40 for yellow perch is in effect on Lake Erie.
• For steelhead and salmon (aggregate) there is a daily bag limit of five from May 16 to August 31, with the daily bag limit reduced to two from Sept. 1 to May 15.
• There is a 12-inch minimum size limit on trout and salmon.
• There is a 15-inch minimum size limit for walleye and a limit of four fish from March 1 to April 30, otherwise the daily walleye bag limit remains at six fish per angler per day.
• There will be no harvest of smallmouth bass from May 1 until the third Saturday in June.

It also illegal to buy or sell any fish taken by angling from any water area in the state where an Ohio Fishing License is required, or to transport and introduce any aquatic species (fish, invertebrate, plant) from one body of water to another. Due to the presence of contaminants and pollutants that fish may carry it is illegal to clean fish or possess fillets while on the lake. Note that lake sturgeon is an endangered species in Ohio and must be returned unharmed to the water as soon as possible if caught.

• For more information about Ohio fishing licenses 
• For up-to-date information on Ohio fishing limits 
• For information of the rules and limitations regarding fishlines and nets 
• For more information about what fish species are in Lake Erie and how to identify them
• Lake Erie Fishing Report