Written by: news editor
7/12/2011 1:00 AM 

PORT CLINTON, OH – Governor John R. Kasich was on Lake Erie yesterday during the 33rd Governor’s Fish Ohio Day. The annual event promotes the positive impacts of Lake Erie sport fishing and tourism on the region’s economy. Participants included members of the press, tourism industry, conservation leaders, and local and state officials, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Fish Ohio Day is sponsored by the Lake Erie Shores and Islands-West, the ODNR Division of Wildlife, and the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association.

An impending storm that morning chased the 14 charter boats back to safe harbor ahead of schedule, and many anglers, including Governor Kasich, came up short on a walleye catch. Kasich, who reeled in two sheepshead (freshwater drum), was enthusiastic about Ohio’s Great Lake during a post-fishing event.

“Each time I visit Lake Erie I am in awe of what it means to Ohio,” said Governor Kasich. “It’s the crown jewel of the state – it’s an amazing recreational destination, economic generator, and environmental treasure.”

ODNR Director David Mustine, who also fished that morning, reiterated the governor’s commitment to Lake Erie. Mustine mentioned the reconvening of the Ohio Lake Erie Phosphorous Taskforce as an important step in reviewing the long-term health of the lake. Mustine also thanked the Division of Wildlife for its efforts to strengthen fishing opportunities for popular game species such as walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and steelhead in the state.

Current and recent ODNR Lake Erie-related fishing and boating projects include:

• Scheduled removal of the Ballville Dam on the Sandusky River in 2012. Fisheries biologists say the dam’s removal will restore the natural flow of the river and open up additional walleye spawning habitat. The Sandusky River is a tributary of the Maumee River, which flows into Lake Erie.
• Renovation of the Castalia State Fish Hatchery supports continuation of the Division of Wildlife’s steelhead program, which annually stocks 400,000 steelhead fry in rivers across northern Ohio. The state’s popular steelhead fishery draws anglers from around the state and across the country.
• New boat-launch facility on the Huron River in Erie County. This successful project between the divisions of Watercraft and Wildlife provided critically needed public boating access to Lake Erie’s western basin; the site officially opened this summer with four launch lanes and 135 parking spaces.

The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at ohiodnr.com.

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For more information, contact:
Laura Jones, ODNR Office of Communications
614. 265. 6860

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