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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
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January 2, 2004
A look back at 2003 and a look forward to 2004
2003 was good for some, while not so good for others. It brought change, suspense, and surprise; yet, it showed promise for 2004.
Walleye fishing during 2003 surprised everyone
If you are a walleye angler, yes, 2003 was good. So good, in fact, that Brian Ruland of Poor Richards East spent much of May and June up to his elbows in big walleye. After cleaning so many, though, he had to try some of the action.
"I took advantage of a friend's invitation to go out on his boat," Ruland said in a June report. "After launching at the North East, the action was steady and we boated nine walleye."
From North East to Ohio the great walleye fishing continued all summer.
"The walleye fishing continues to surprise everybody," Gary Heubel of Poor Richards said in a June fishing report. Limit catches were common as anglers and charter boats did well while fishing the 30 to 40 foot depths from the Walnut Creek access to the Ohio line.
What caused the unexpected great walleye fishing last summer? No one is sure. But the most likely reason is a combination of factors: First, Lake Erie froze during the 2002/2003 winter, which resulted in the typical winter baitfish kill. Then, some biologists said, current and baitfish movement moved more walleye into the Pennsylvania waters than previous years.
Will 2004 be as good? It should be because more walleye are there. According to Roger Knight of Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division (ODNR) of Wildlife, we have just as many spawning walleyes in Lake Erie today as we did in the early 1980s. In fact, the 2004 walleye population is estimated to be at 30 million and could reach 50 million by 2005.
Just remember, though, unless you are fishing in Ohio, the 2004 limit is now four fish.
2003, the year of the perch
If you were a perch angler, 2003 was, most definitely, a great year.
"We're having the best perch fishing since the '70s ...," said Gary Heubel of Poor Richard's Bait and Tackle.
Expect the same in 2004, grab a few (a lot) minnows and go fishing.
"This year's survey numbers of yellow perch were similar to the exceptional hatch surveyed in 1996," said Jeff Tyson, ODNR fisheries biologist supervisor at the division's Sandusky Fisheries Research Unit. "That year, the number of young yellow perch caught in the survey translated into approximately 140 million two-year old fish lakewide in 1998."
Rain + steelhead = fun in 2003
With most angling attention focused on walleye or perch, open water steelhead fishing was reported as slow during 2003. Once fall arrived, though, fishing was good because the - or should I say non-stop - rains filled the tributaries with steelhead and water.
With the PF&BC maintaining current stocking levels of steelhead (over 1 million each year), fishing should be the same or better in 2004.
Fewer gobies meant more bass in 2003
After seeing the bass fishing decline during the last few years, 2003 was better than expected. "The smallmouth are spectacular in size and health," one angler reported after an April fishing trip.
Most anglers credit the good fishing to the goby because the population explosion has stopped and has shown signs of declining. By May, the bass fishing was, once again, spectacular.
"The smallmouth are being taken anywhere from 10 to 25 feet of water," reported Gary at Poor Richards in a May report. "Trolling deep diving plugs will get the biggest numbers of smallies, but jigging large shiners and tube jigs can be a lot more fun. Just look for some bottom structure and there should be some smallies around."
Bass fishing in 2004 will be better than 2003. The goby, however, still dictates what tactics are best to catch bass. Trolling will out produce live bait, with the only exception being April and early May when the water is cold and gobies are less active.
Money woes (and more) continue for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
2003 was not so good year for the PF&BC. They had to face the issues of a resignation of the Executive Director, a potential merger, and a license increase request while trying to work under funded and over analyzed.
After struggling with funding and environment (hatchery discharges) issues as well as politicians, PF&BC Executive Director, Pete Colangelo left his position. According to the official PF&BC news release, Colangelo "retired" from his post effective June 9, 2003.
But others say differently.
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported that Colangelo left because of state Rep. Bruce Smith's insistence that the PF&BC won't get a desperately needed fishing license fee increase as long as he remains.
Then, the merger issue appeared.
Rep. Bruce Smith successfully sponsored a resolution that authorized the House Game and Fisheries Committee to conduct a study on the feasibility of merging the state Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission.
The study is done, and with little public opposition to it and no other funding solution, the merger might happen.
Finally, in an attempt to maintain current services to the angling and boating public, a license increase was requested. The resident fishing license will increase from $16.25 to $20, the price of a trout stamp from $5 to $8, and create an $8 Lake Erie stamp, while also raising the cost of registering boats by 30 percent.
But a glimmer of hope does exist.
Because Dr. Douglas Austen from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was named as the new PF&BC Executive Director, and North East resident, Sam Concilla was named as Commission president.
Give the PF&BC credit because they have not thrown in the towel. Nevertheless, 2004 will be a hard year for them.
Changing of the guard
Respected and always visible to the public, Waterways Conservation Officer, John Bowser retired at the beginning of 2003.
"Law enforcement on a 'customer' base is a difficult balancing act," Bowser said in his final fisherie.com report. "Protecting lives, keeping lands open to fishing, and trying to enforce the regulations so that all anglers had an 'equal' chance to catch fish provided meaningful goals that made the work personally rewarding."
Those are some big shoes to fill (great for Harley riding, though), but Waterways Conservation Officer, Brook R. Tolbert has taken over the reigns and I wish him well for 2004.
The water of Lake Erie
Was it a good year for Lake Erie? It some respect, yes because water levels were higher than predicted, thus easing boating fears, yet a new fear has appeared. Water pollution is increasing; and with that, a larger than expected "dead zone."
According to an early U.S. Army Corps of Engineers forecast, Lake Erie was expected to be eight to 10 inches below average by June 2003 and nine inches lower than the June 2002 levels. It didn't happen. A winter freeze and wet spring enabled the level to recover. By the end of 2003, Lake Erie was five inches below its long-term average. With the rains of last fall and another freeze this winter, levels should recover for 2004.
But the increased introduction of phosphorus has some people worried about the future of Lake Erie.
"High availability of phosphorus decreases Lake Erie water quality," Ohio State University ecology professor, David Culver said. "It possibly adds to the appearance of a large area in middle Lake Erie that had become anoxic (lacking enough oxygen to support all fish life), or commonly referred to as the late-summer natural phenomenon known as the 'dead zone' in Lake Erie."
Previously, high phosphorus levels in Lake Erie, caused by fertilizers, laundry detergent and human sewage caused a large outbreak of blue-green algae in the 1970's. After controls to limit phosphates, it disappeared in the late 1980's, until 1995.
Phosphorus levels in Lake Erie have been rising since, and algae have been increasing since 1997. Scientists say if this continues for another three years, Lake Erie could face the same problems it did in the 1970's.
Odds and ends, a big fish, and the unknown
Suntan lotion sales were down because it rained a lot, especially on the weekends.
Rumor has it that lack of human waste control is the reason for some of Twenty Mile Creek being posted.
Opening day of trout season will not change. Even though, angler reaction to the proposed change was mixed, the Commissioners voted on July 18-19, in Harrisburg, to keep the opening day on the first Saturday after April 11.
A 41-pound lake trout was caught by 16-year old, Jesse Wykstra on August 9, 2003 off Dunkirk. It is a state record for New York. According to Jim Markham of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, the adipose fin was clipped, so it was a hatchery fish. "My guess would be from the 1985 stocking," he said.
The night the lights went out. More than 60 million people in the United States and Canada were affected at the height of the August 14, 2003 blackout. Not knowing is the hardest part.
I had an evening charter during the blackout. My boat was not equipped with an AM/FM radio, cell phones didn't work, and the Coast Guard was broadcasting repeated warnings about loss of aids to navigation. It was unnerving, to say the least. Finally, by VHF radio, my customers and I were assured the world did not end. At nightfall, the total darkness created by the loss of power to New York and Canada enabled us to enjoy a spectacular view of the sky. I have since invested in a portable television and AM/FM radio.
2003 is over.
Now, we welcome 2004 knowing that what we learned yesterday makes tomorrow easier.
Good Fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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