September 22, 2005

COLUMBUS, OH - Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch anglers may enjoy an increased bag limit next year if a proposal by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is accepted by the Ohio Wildlife Council later this fall.

A public hearing on the proposed rules will be held at 9 a.m., Thursday, September 29 at the wildlife division's District One office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. During the hearing, individuals will be asked to keep their comments brief to ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak. The Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules during its November 2 meeting after considering public input.

The Division of Wildlife proposes increasing the daily bag limit on walleye from three fish to four between March 1 and April 30, with a six-fish bag limit the remainder of the year. The existing 15-inch size limit would remain.

The Division of Wildlife also proposes an increase for yellow perch from the current 30-fish daily bag limit to 40. Perch numbers, which have been low since the mid-1990s, have rebounded to healthier levels since the bag limit was reduced in 1995.

State wildlife biologists will continue to monitor the walleye and perch populations and work with state and provincial partners to ensure the continued vitality of the Lake Erie fishery.

A proposal for catfish also is being considered. If changes are adopted, anglers will be able to keep only one channel catfish larger than 28 inches or one flathead catfish larger than 35 inches in a day.