Commercial Fishing
Both recreational boaters and commercial fishermen enjoy the riches of Lake Erie’s bountiful fish population. It is common to spot commercial fishing nets on the lake during the commercial fishing season. The season runs from March 1 through December 31.
In order to safely navigate around these nets, recreational boaters should learn to identify the markings required on the different types of nets and keep a good watch for them.
Trap Nets are usually set singly, but may be set in a series of four or more. The method shown in Figure 1 is most commonly used, with the lead toward shore. Square red flags are generally required to mark trap nets. The inside (shore side) of a series of nets should be marked with a single 18-inch square red flag mounted on a three-foot staff. The outside perimeter of a series of nets may be marked with two 18-inch square red flags (red on top and any color except orange on the bottom) on a six-foot staff (Figure 1).
Safe boat passage is made by traveling outside the staff with two flags. A boat may also pass between the shore and the red flag during the summer (June 15 through September 15).
Trap Net Restrictions
Trap nets may not be set within:
- 1/4 mile of Lakeside Dock to Marblehead Lighthouse, to 1/2 mile off Sandusky Pier Light from May 15 through October 15.
- 1/2 mile of a rivermouth, U.S. Government pier or breakwall at any time.
- 1 mile of the shore between the water tower at the Ford plant west of Lorain and the Chagrin River from May 15 through October 15.
- 4 miles of navigational lights located near the mouths of rivers in the ports of Huron, Ashtabula, Vermilion, Lorain, Cleveland, Fairport Harbor, and Conneaut from May 15 through October 15.
Seines are used in Sandusky Bay and Western Lake Erie. One end of the seine is held on shore or on a barge anchored near the shore. A boat carrying the net circles around the fish and returns to shore where a winch is used to haul in the seine. Small black buoys indicating the net’s location are visible during the pulling operation (Figure 2).
Safe boat passage is made on the offshore side of the black buoys.
Gill Nets have been outlawed in Ohio since 1983 but are still used in Canada. The nets are usually set in a straight line along the lake bottom and can extend up to five miles. The flags that mark them are located at each end of the net, and there is no specific color required. Most commercial fishermen use orange or red flags (Figure 3). Safe boat passage is made by rounding the outside of the buoys.
If caught in a fish net with your powerboat:
- Immediately put your boat in neutral and turn off your engine.
- Make sure everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket.
- Signal for help with your distress signal device.
- Contact the U.S. Coast Guard or a commercial salvage company for assistance.
Boaters navigating on portions of Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes that are under the jurisdiction of other states or Canada should check with the regulatory authority of that region to learn of other types of nets that may be used, their general location, and marking system utilized.
|