Monday, May 29th, 2023
Monday, May 29th, 2023

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1967

John Hageman

Early warning for ‘big bloom’ of algae on Western Lake Erie

In what has become a seasonal service provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science using the data collected by Heidelberg University’s National Center for Water Quality Research, Western Lake Erie’s algae bloom could be moderately severe this summer.
These researchers said that the severity index value could range from 2.5 to 6.0. That is, unless precipitation rates diminish during the rest of the spring, which would allow bloom size to remain smaller.

Ohio’s Magee Marsh ‘bird’ center refurbished, rededicated

On May 4, during one of the first pleasant mornings in recent weeks, a multitude of Ohio DNR (ODNR) and Division of Wildlife (DOW) personnel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff, local, federal and state legislators, agency heads, tourism leaders, members of the media, and many other well-wishers celebrated the re-opening of the former Magee Marsh Sportsmen’s Migratory Bird Center.

Judge’s ruling requires a Lake Erie ‘diet’ study to address harmful algal blooms

After coursing through the legal system for the past six years, U.S. District Court Judge James Carr issued a consent decree on May 4 to address the algal bloom problems plaguing Western Lake Erie. 
This move formalizes the agreement that the plaintiffs, including the Environmental Law Policy Center (ELPC) and the Lucas County Commissioners and the defendants the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio EPA worked out to begin a clean-up plan to try to control harmful algal blooms.

VHS confirmed in East Harbor fish kill on Lake Erie

On April 14, as a group of fishermen motored through the East Harbor channel into Lake Erie en route to some walleye fishing around the islands, scores of large Gizzard shad were seen floating on the surface of the water.
Since shad are susceptible to winter kill and cold shock, it came as no surprise to see them. However, later in the day came a report of dead bluegills, black crappies, yellow perch, and largemouth bass.

Good fishing expected to continue on Lake Erie as quotas are set

For walleyes, the total allowable catch (TAC) will be 13,526,00 fish, a 7% decrease from last year’s TAC of 14,533,000, but up from 2021 (12,284,000), 2020 (10,237,000), and 2019 (8,531,000) fish respectively.  
Ohio will be allowed a walleye quota of 6,913,000 fish, Ontario gets 5,824,000 fish and Michigan was allotted 789,000 fish, respectively. The Eastern Basin walleye population is managed separately from the rest of the lake, but the jurisdictions of Ontario, Pennsylvania, and New York still use lakewide objectives to determine appropriate harvest levels there.

River walleye runs in Ohio hit their fever pitch

Even as the mild winter has morphed into a cool spring, the spawning runs of walleyes going into the Sandusky and Maumee rivers have gained steam anyway, as evidenced by the increasing success of anglers wading in after them. With an estimated 94 million 2-year and older walleyes in the 2023 population according to the biologists serving on the Lake Erie Committee, there is bound to be a noticeable uptick in the number of fish choosing one of the rivers to spawn in. 

For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!

Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.

Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.

Before you go... Get the latest outdoor news sent to your inbox.


Sign up for our free newsletter.

Email Address(Required)
Name
What outdoor activities interest you?