by Glenn Lau

Port Clinton – Oak Harbor, Ohio Tuesday, October 3, 1967

(Editor’s note: The author of this article is a local professional fishing and hunting guide who has worked for many years to preserve and improve the fishing industry of Lake Erie.)

Uniform sport and commercial fishing regulations 
on Lake Erie are needed... Now!

Back in 1940’s, Canada sought uniform regulations to control commercial netting in Lake Erie. At that time, the Ohio Division of Natural Resources blocked the effort due to its belief that neither nets nor anglers could hurt a body of water as large as Lake Erie. However this attitude has been reversed in recent years. Ohio natural resources officials and scientists now advocate restrictive measures.

It’s now accepted that both commercial and sport fishing can be destroyed and will be destroyed unless something is done to prevent this from occurring.

Lake Erie does not have an infinite capacity to renew itself. It cannot continuously recover from all that Man does to it.

After years of vacillating, Ohio, Michigan and Ontario have taken remedial actions in commercial fishing. The recent limitation of 10 walleye (pickerel) per day in Ohio sport fishing on Lake Erie is a step in the right direction.

It helps, of course, for Ohio to restrict the pickerel sports catch. But, it would help even more if the limit it were six per angler, the same as Canada’s, rather than 10, and that all states and Canada would comply. In Ohio, wildlife officers have made many arrests in recent months based on commercial netting regulations, which vary from those in Canada. (The catch is legal in Canada, but not in Ohio.) Cargoes of undersized Canadian fish have been removed from stores. And, an Ontario commercial fisherman recently was fined at Port Clinton for transporting undersized gill nets across Ohio waters.

JOINT EFFORT NEEDED

Lake Erie, shallowest of the Great Lakes, provides more commercial and sport fishing than all the others combined. Its enormous productive capacity is due to an abundance of spawning reefs and natural fish food. In recent years, however, there has been a sharp decline in the desirable species.

One determined state can do a lot. But all the neighbors along the shores of Lake Erie, working together, can accomplish much more in much less time in rebuilding fishing on this lake. While some regulation is better than none, these differences still muddy Erie's waters today.

ONE - Federal authorities sponsor a meeting of all states and Canadian provinces bordering Lake Erie to adopt uniform restrictions on commercial and sports fishermen

Two – Local courts stop slapping violators on the wrist and start levying punitive fines.

It does not pay to take rough fish commercially at the present time. Mink ranchers and other potential users of this type of fish will pay only one-and-one-half to two cent's per pound. The commercial fisherman cannot meet expenses, let alone make any profit at this rate of purchase. Therefore, each day he lifts his nets, conditions are worsened - taking the desirable fish that are in the nets, and returning many rough fish. This creates an even greater imbalance.

Lake Erie at this time supports an astounding abundance of rough fish, which devour millions of pounds of food daily. Research in Michigan and Canada has shown that removal of this type of fish greatly improves the waters for sport fish. By removing such species as carp, sheephead and smelt, there is a natural increase in the volume of food for such desirable fish as walleyes perch and bass.

ONE SET OF RULES

The longer we wait to establish uniform laws on Lake Erie, the longer it is going to take to rebuild what even now is still one of the finest fresh water fishing areas in the world.

Lake Erie is one body of water. It needs one set of rules to control its fishing.

We have only begun to realize the potential of this lake. With equitable regulations designed to replenish the desirable species, within a few years we can help to rebuild Lake Erie into what it once was.

Hundreds of thousands of additional people who now do not come to Lake Erie will try their fishing prowess upon it. As for commercial fishing, the nationwide market for Lake Erie fish is still in its infancy. If standards on netting and preservation are imposed, sales could show a huge growth.

For these reasons and many others, it is imperative that uniform fishing regulations throughout Lake Erie be established . . . NOW!

Editors note: Some of the material from the original Glenn Lau article was edited because gill net s were still legally in use. Look at the date and ask..How far have we come in the last 43 years?

-----------------------------------------------------

Who is Glenn Lau ?

The people, animals, legends and mysteries of the American backcountry are a source of endless fascination. Around each turn in the journey through wilderness areas is a new adventure-an eye opening experience-and an opportunity to learn, love and appreciate.

Much much more! The Good Old Days is about the sharing of time, mentoring, teaching and learning in the outdoors -- the greatest classroom of all. The unique content of the show reaches the minds and hearts of the viewers-the inevitable reaction is. .."What a great life!"

"I watched a show the other night that pulled me into its grasp, held me tight and even made my eyes water. Not many shows will do that to a person. This was the best outdoor show I've ever seen." Curt Wells - Outdoor News Magazine.

"After viewing Glenn's, GOOD OLD DAYS, I was left envious of his ability to put on film what I feel in my heart. Love of family, love of the outdoors, love of teaching and of passing on heritage." Captain Bob Collins

Glenn's Lake Erie Ties

Glenn of Toledo, Oh.. Began his love of the outdoors as a teenager on Lake Erie. He pounded the waters and hounded anglers along the shores of Lake Erie in search of knowledge.

As a youngster he became a fixture around Channel Grove Marina in East Harbor.

He was never happy in finding structure and areas that held fish. He had to dive down and eventually film the underwater excitement.

Lake Erie was also Glenn's favorite hunting area. Spending many seasons guiding duck hunters. He set up decoys and hunted in East Harbor and fron the Gull-Middle and Chick Island areas.

Annual fishing trips to Lake Erie gives Glenn a chance to talk about the good old days with his good old friends. I sure hope I am one of them!