That's because it takes two years for walleye and perch to grow
big enough to be caught and kept by anglers. There are still
plenty of good-sized fish from better years, said Jeff Tyson,
fisheries biologist supervisor for the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources. "There's a good chance of catching a big
fish," he said. Walleye and perch are among the most popular
sport fish in the lake, and they help draw thousands of anglers
to the towns along Lake Erie's Ohio coast. Fishing in Ohio
brings in an estimated $1.1 billion through the equipment, fuel,
food and hotels. The economy and the lake's algae blooms,
though, have made it tough for charter fishing businesses in
recent years. Wildlife officials continue to study what makes a
good hatch, Tyson said. Ice cover during the winter, a gradual
spring warming and rain are thought to help. Heavy winds aren't
good because they can blow fish eggs off the reefs where the
fish spawn. "Last year, we didn't have any ice cover. It was a
relatively dry spring as well," Tyso