?Governor DeWine?Celebrates?Fall?Fish Ohio Day?

?Lake Erie fishing is like nothing else in the world,? said Governor DeWine. ?Protecting this lake is a top priority for my administration, and I?m honored today to be?here?celebrating all that?the?central?basin of?Lake Erie?and this region have to offer?Ohio.???

Fall Fish Ohio?Day showcases the many walleye fishing opportunities in the region.?The event is co-sponsored by the?Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau, Ashtabula County Wildlife Conservation League, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, and local charter boat captains.??

The 2019 walleye population is estimated to be 45 million fish ages two years and older. Strong?walleye?population trends?are?likely to continue?over the next several years,?according to Division of Wildlife hatch surveys in the western basin of Lake Erie.?The?results for the?central basin?hatch survey?will be available?before the end of the?year.??

?Lake Erie is known as the ?Walleye Capital of the World,? and for good reason,? said Director Mertz. ?Although less well-known than?the western basin, the central basin of Lake Erie provides excellent walleye fishing, especially from mid-summer through fall.???

Fall Fish Ohio Day?started?in 2018?to?promote?the central basin of?Lake Erie?s world-class fishing.?Ten?licensed charter boat captains donated their boats?and time?for Saturday?s event.??

Governor DeWine also signed a proclamation recognizing today as National Hunting and Fishing Day to celebrate and recognize hunters and anglers for their contributions to fish and wildlife conservation in Ohio.

For photos and video of Fall Fish Ohio Day from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, please visit this?link.??