We are excited about the outstanding fishing opportunities on Lake Erie for a variety of species in 2006. The large 2003 hatch should provide large numbers of good-sized walleye and yellow perch, while quality smallmouth bass and steelhead trout fishing also will available to Lake Erie anglers.

Weather conditions played a major role in the lake's distribution of walleye in 2005. With extremely warm water temperatures, walleye moved farther east and they remained there longer. If water temperatures remain cool in 2006, we should have a phenomenal walleye fishery in the west and central basins of Lake Erie.

Yellow perch are extremely valuable to Ohio sport fishermen. It is essential that we are able to accurately measure both sport and commercial harvests. These changes in the commercial rules are a step toward improving our confidence in the numbers of fish actually harvested.

I can anticipate higher usage, which could mean a larger utility bill at the end of the day.

I'm probably already in the red on the budgeting allotment for utilities.

It is critical that harvest from each basin be separately and accurately measured, given the need to properly manage perch populations.