June 2008

Beach Volleyball and Movies in the Park update (Vermilion Photojournal)

The Vermilion Parks Dept welcomes you to try out the new beach volleyball net at the Main St beach in Vermilion. Open to the public, beach volleyball offers you and your family a chance to enjoy some lakeside activity. Also, the Vermilion Photojournal reports that the Movies in the Park have been re-scheduled to Fridays in July and August starting July 18th, in large part to accommodate the boating public. The Movie in the Park program offers family friendly movies for you and your family to enjoy in a scenic outdoor environment. So make sure to get your popcorn and lawn chair ready for July 18th at dusk in East Exchange Park featuring Madagascar

Movie Schedule:

• July 18th - Madagascar
• July 25 - Dr. Suess How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• August 1 - Sponge Bob Square Pants
• August 8 - Charlotte's Web
• August 15 - The Water Horse Legend
• August 22 - Air Bud, seventh inning stretch

To Keep up on all the happenings in Vermilion Subscribe to the Vermilion Photojournal (1-888-860-2177), the ultimate news source of Vermilion.

Weekly Fishing Report (ODNR)

Walleye fishing has been excellent on the dumping grounds north of Huron, north of Beaver Creek in 35 to 45feet of water, northwest of the Chagrin River in 20 to 30 feet of water, northeast of Wildwood State Park in 20 to 30 feet of water, four to five miles west of Geneva in 50 to 65 feet of water, and two to four miles west of Fairport Harbor in 20 to 30 feet of water. Trollers are using crankbaits or spoons and worm harnesses off jet divers, dipsy divers and downriggers. The best action has been 20 feet down and the best spoon colors have been gold or silver with green and pink.

Yellow perch fishing west of Cleveland has been best off of the condos east of Vermilion, in 43 feet of water north of Beaver Creek, and off of the Lorain lighthouse. Fishing has been excellent northeast of the Chagrin River in 30 to 35 feet of water, northeast of Edgewater in 30 to 35 feet of water, north of Fairport Harbor in 35 to 50 feet of water, north of Conneaut in 35 to 50 feet of water, and north of Geneva and Ashtabula in 45 to 55 feet of water. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish. Fish have ranged from 7.5 to 12.5 inches.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in five to 20 feet of water around Ashtabula and Fairport Harbor. Fish are being caught on watermelon, pumpkinseed and green tube jigs.

Based on the nearshore forecast the water temperature is 70 off of Toledo and 63 off of Cleveland.

Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while boating.

To view the predicted weather forecast for Lake Erie visit: http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=/raw/fz/fzus61.kcle.glf.le.txt

To view Lake Erie boating information, safety tips, and launch ramps visit: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/default/tabid/2062/Default.aspx

Full fishing report here -(ODNR)

Third Thursday Celebration Starts Tonight (VON)

The Third Thursday, Music, Flowers and A Sunset extravaganza returns to downtown Vermilion on June 19th. At least twelve different musical groups and individuals from virtually every musical genre will be performing ABSOLUTELY FREE for your listening pleasure while browsing among the shops, boutiques and restaurants of our quaint and historic downtown Vermilion. The fun will begin at 6:30 pm until sunset. Come and join us on Main Street and Liberty Avenue.

This is the third year for Third Thursday and it gets better each year. There’s plenty of parking, lots of flowers to enjoy, artwork to browse, and a sunset over Lake Erie that is sure to please. What a wonderful family event with a little something for everyone.

There will be country, jazz, rock, island, Russian folk, Irish, and pop just to highlight a few of the musical groups. Grab an ice cream cone and roam the streets or find someplace to sit and listen. Bring a lawn chair if you want. Relax and enjoy the evening. Stop in at the Inland Seas Maritime Museum. Admission is free from 5:00 pm.

Bring your bike, your honey, your visitors and your children to enjoy a good time. The Third Thursdays, Music, Flowers and A Sunset will continue on July 17th, August 21st and September 18th. Mark your calendar now. Join us all summer long for new surprises, family fun and don’t forget that ice cream cone mmmmmm!

Story Provided by VermilionOhioNews.com

Help save recreational boating (LEMTA)

The EPA today released two draft permit regulations for boaters, one

applying to recreational boats under 79 feet and one applying to

commercial vessels and recreational boats over 79 feet. This proposal

represents a regulatory morass for boaters and anglers.

EPA is hosting a total of 4 public meetings on its proposal during the

summer in Washington, DC; Portland, Oregon; and Chicago. Please see

the NMMA press release below and go to www.boatblue.org or

www.epa.gov/NPDES/vessels for more info and a schedule of the EPA public meetings.

NMMA and BoatU.S. are together developing a easy response fact sheet

and it will be out shortly. Bottom line: this is not good and

demonstrates why we need to pass the Clean Boating Act now before this

administrative nightmare becomes a reality for boaters, anglers, sportsmen and

recreationists and our industries.

We are still pushing hard for quick passage of the Clean Boating Act.

Now is the time to rally the troops everywhere. Thanks for all your

help on this and we’ll be in touch – Log on www.boatblue.org today

and tell your legislators to to take action!

Mathew P. Dunn

National Marine Manufacturers Association

(202) 737-9760

Press Release:

FROM: NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

200 E. Randolph Dr., Suite 5100

Chicago, IL 60601-6528

312-946-6200

CONTACT: Lindsey Johnson (ljohnson@nmma.org; 312-946-6204)

EPA Releases Permit Proposal, Threatening Freedom of Nation’s

Recreational Boaters

NMMA reinforces need for boaters, industry to take action

WASHINGTON, DC, June 17, 2008 – Today, the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) published the Clean Water Act proposal in the Federal

Register that will impose new requirements on recreational boaters to learn

about and follow specific practices mandated by the federal government

to operate their boats and manage their everyday, overboard water

discharges. Mandated by a court order in 2006 that focused exclusively on

commercial vessel ballast water, the proposal includes two draft permits

that are an unprecedented, new regulation on American recreational

boaters, demonstrating the urgent need to pass the Clean Boating Act of

2008 (S. 2766 and H. R. 5949) as these new regulations will take effect on

October 1, 2008.

Along with the Federal Register notice, EPA also released two draft

permits, fact sheets and multiple additional supplementary documents, all

of which add up to a confusing mess for boaters.

EPA’s Clean Water Act proposal unnecessarily creates a cumbersome,

complex and confusing permitting scheme for recreational boaters,

throwing them into a regulatory regime designed for land-based industrial

facilities like sewer treatment plants. As a result, America’s 18 million

recreational boat owners will be required to observe a multitude of

new rules and practices, yet they won’t be provided clear information

as to how to comply with these new federal requirements by EPA, exposing

them to a high degree of regulatory uncertainty, compliance issues and

legal jeopardy involving citizen lawsuits and $32,500 per violation

per day penalties.

The EPA proposal also allows individual states to implement their own

boating permits, creating the potential for mass confusion with a

patchwork of differing state-by-state laws for boaters.

Equally problematic is that recreational boats above a certain length

will be categorized as commercial ships and will be required to follow a

different and more complex set of permit rules applicable to

commercial vessels. There are two proposed general EPA permits: One for boats

under 79 feet, and another for recreational boats 80 feet and above. This

second permit, which also encompasses commercial ships, is even more

complicated and makes an arbitrary and unreasonable distinction among

recreational boats based on footage in order to classify them as

commercial boats.

“Now more than ever, it is critical that we unite—as an industry

and as boating enthusiasts—and compel Congress to pass the Clean

Boating Act of 2008,� said Thom Dammrich, president of the National Marine

Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

“Boaters everywhere must reach out to their state and local

representatives and ask that they support this key piece of legislation.�

NMMA and BoatU.S., along with a broad coalition of partners, are

leading the charge to prevent this unnecessary new regulation on America’s

boaters.

“Congress must pass the Clean Boating Act before it’s too late and

the federal government steps in to regulate how average Americans enjoy

a day on the water,� said Scott Gudes, vice president of NMMA

Government Relations. “These new regulations are the poster child for

excessive regulation, and we’re calling on the boating industry and

America’s boaters who cherish their time on the water to act today and get

commonsense legislative relief passed in the form of the Clean Boating

Act.�

“We only have until September 30, 2008 to accomplish this goal; time

is running out for Congress to do the right thing,� Gudes continued.

For the new regulations affecting 18 million boat owners nationwide,

EPA will hold a total of four public meetings during the workday—in

Washington, D.C., Chicago and Portland—to hear from boaters and the

boating industry on this new regulation. NMMA strongly encourages people

who care about boating to attend these meetings and share their views on

why they should not be exposed to the requirements and legal jeopardy

this new permit program will entail. For specific dates and locations of

these meetings, please visit BoatBlue.org.

The boating industry and recreational boaters who want to take action

to prevent this new regulatory proposal from becoming law should visit

BoatBlue.org and take just a few minutes to send a message to their

Representatives and Senators, urging them to support recreational boating

and pass the Clean Boating Act of 2008.

For more information about the Clean Boating Act of 2008, visit

BoatBlue.org or contact Mathew Dunn at (202) 737-9760; mdunn@nmma.org.

About the Clean Boating Act of 2008: The Clean Boating Act of 2008

would fully and permanently restore a long-standing regulation that

excludes recreational boaters and anglers from the federal and state

permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act designed for land-based

industrial facilities and ocean-going commercial ships.. The exemption was

overturned by a federal court in 2006 in a case focused exclusively on

ballast water from commercial vessels. The Clean Boating Act of 2008 has

the support of the $36 billion recreational marine industry, the

nation’s 59 million adult recreational boaters and more than 50

organizations involved in outdoor recreation, sportfishing, hunting and

conservation.

About NMMA: National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is the

leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA

member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines,

trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters in the United States. The

association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public

policy, market research and data, product quality assurance and

marketing communications.

Join us For Fathers Day Burgers

Romp's Customers can salute all things Dad this weekend as we fire up the grill and serve Romp's Famous Cheeseburgers this Fathers Day. A perfect way to celebrate with boating, fishing, burgers, and fun by the pool! Join us from 11:30-2pm in the Romper Room.

Federal Law Brings Ethanol to the Pumps

It all started with the passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act of Dec 2007. The act put in place federal requirements for fuel producers and distributors to convert to E-10 (Ethanol blend) in over 70% of all gasoline by the end of 2009. Some distributors have moved quickly to meet compliance and will be selling E-10 rated fuels in 100% of their gasoline by mid-2008. Including some Vermilion River stations.

What does that mean to the average boater. Not much will change. Most modern boats are capable of running Ethanol with no conversion needed. In fact companies like Marathon gas have been selling ethanol blends for over 20 years.

We thought we would answer some of the most frequent questions we hear about Ethanol.

Question : Will Ethanol fuels cause performance problems?

Answer: When used in proper concentration Ethanol helps performance. Ethanol has a rating at 114 octane and deters against microbial growth in fuel systems and naturally cleans gunk and sediment from fuel systems.

Question: Should you completely drain your tanks for winter storage?

Answer: Because you cannot drain a tank completely, and empty tanks are susceptible to condensation, we recommend instead that your tank be 95% full for storage. Empty tanks create condensation and with Ethanol water will not separate and go to the bottom of the tank, it will stay suspended. A 95% full tank allows for less chance of condensation. With that in mind, boaters should also fill up on the way in to port so boats do not sit for long periods of time in summer months with empty tanks. The more you use your boat the less chance for problems.

Question: Will Ethanol will affect my gas tank?

Answer: For the vast majority of boat owners no. Most boats manufactured have Steel or Plastic (composite) tanks which are Ethanol ready. While it is true that there are fiberglass tanks that will be effected, those boat owners (with fiberglass tanks) should contact their boat dealers to check on what options are available. The majority of boats will not be affected. Ethanol will clean the gunk from your tank so you may need to change filters frequently the first tank on changeover.

Question: What do I need to do to change over?

Answer: When your station switches to Ethanol (and it will very soon). Run your tank as close as empty as you can and fill it completely with the Ethanol mix fuel. Carry with you onboard extra fuel filters.

Festival of the Fish This Weekend

Vermilion's Festival of the Fish is one of the largest festivals in the area. Every year the City of Vermilion celebrates the sea on a grand scale with parades, boat parades, races, pageants, contests, food, entertainment, markets and much more. This is a "don't-miss" event of the year each Father's Day Weekend.

On Friday young girls vie for the coveted title of princess or queen in one of the largest festival pageants in the county. Dozens of pooches walk in the annual pet parade. Kids games take place at the gazebo.

On Saturday the day kicks off with a 5K run and 1-mile walk sponsored by the YMCA and a Sand Castle Contest at Main Street Beach. The Crazy Craft Races take place at 1 pm on the Vermilion River. The event is open to all, so all you need is some imagination to build whatever kind of vessel inspires you. The annual Lighted Boat Parade takes place at dusk on the Vermilion River.

The Annual Father's Day Parade steps off at 12:30 pm on Sunday. Don't miss the wet and wild Firefighters Water Fight immediately following the parade.

Food, entertainment, vendors and beverages each day begining at noon in Victory Park.

More Information from DiscoverVermilion.com

Fish Fest Highlights...

Lighted Boat Parade

Crazy Craft Race

Queens Pageant - Princess Pageant

5K Run

Sand Castle Contest

Vendors, Entertainment, Food

Main Street Market Place Crafts and Collectables

Father's Day Parade

Pet Parade

Firefighters Water Fight

Festival location: Rt. 60 (Main St.) between Rt. 6 (Liberty Ave.) and Ohio St., in the center of the historic downtown Vermilion, Ohio.

For more information call the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce at 440-967-4477 (Fax 440-967-2877.)

FESTIVAL OF THE FISH SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY - JUNE 13th

12 pm - MIDWAY OPENS

12:30 pm - PET PARADE WITH DICK GODDARD OF FOX TV8 (SPONSORED BY LORAIN NATIONAL BANK AND FOX TV8)

2:30 pm - PRINCESS PAGEANT (SPONSORED BY VACATIONLAND FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, GIANT EAGLE, ERIE ACRES MINIATURE HORSE FARM, BONNE BELL COSMETICS AND SIMPLY SEWING)

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - VERMILION CHEERLEADERS

6:00 pm - OPENING CEREMONIES

6:15 pm - RIBBON CUTTING

6:30 pm - QUEENS CONTEST (SPONSORED BY BONNE BELL COSMETICS, KINGSTON OF VERMILION AND MAGNOLIAS FLORAL SHOP)

8:30 pm - 11:00 pm - JOE BELL AND SWING LIZARDS (SPONSORED BY FIRSTMERIT BANK)

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm - MIKE MOORE AT THE CORNER OF LIBERTY AND MAIN STREET

SATURDAY - JUNE 14TH

9:00 am - 5K RUN AND 1 MILE WALK (SPONSORED BY VERMILION YMCA)

9:00 am - 11:00 am - SAND CASTLE CONTEST AT MAIN STREET BEACH (SPONSORED BY CASSELL ENTERPRISES AND DOMINO’S PIZZA)

12:00 pm - MIDWAY OPEN

1:00 pm - CRAZY CRAFT RACES AT PUBLIC BOAT DOCKS (SPONSORED BY THE DRY DOCK MARINE STORE, TERRY PENA-NORTH COAST GOLF, LAKE ERIE TOWING, LARRY ROLINCE, BILL SUMMERS, RED CLAY ON THE RIVER, VERMILION PORT AUTHORITY, LAGOON MARINE, ROMP’S WATERPORT AND BILL MCCARTHY)

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm - KIDS GAMES AT THE GAZEBO IN VICTORY PARK (SPONSORED BY ALCO, YMCA, KINGSTON OF VERMILION, PUTTER PORT AND ROMP’S DAIRY DOCK)

3:00 pm - AWARDS (CRAZY CRAFT)

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm - THE ROADHOUSE BAND

8:30 pm - 11:00 pm - MORNIN’ AFTER

AT DUSK LIGHTED BOAT PARADE ON VERMILION RIVER (SPONSORED BY LARRY ROLINCE, GERMAN’S VILLA AND VALLEY HARBOR MARINA)

SUNDAY - JUNE 15TH

10:00 am - QUEENS BREAKFAST-GERMAN’S VILLA - OPEN TO PUBLIC - CALL 967-4477 TO RSVP

12:00 pm - MIDWAY OPENS

12:30 pm - FATHER’S DAY PARADE (SPONSORED BY LAKELAND LODGES)

VERMILION FIREFIGHTERS WATER FIGHT - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PARADE IN FRONT OF FIRE CO. #1 ON OHIO ST.

3:15 pm - PARADE JUDGING - MAIN STAGE

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm - RICHARD VANWINKLE AND COUNTRY FRIENDS

BEVERAGE TENT ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLY

FRIDAY 7 pm - 11 pm - TIM BLAKE

SATURDAY 2 pm - 6 pm - DJ SCOTTIE

SATURDAY 7 pm - 11 pm - JOHN BURROW & THE MAGOO’S

CRAFTS - FOOD - KIDS GAMES

CORPORATE SPONSORS

KEYBANK

SHARPNACK CHEVROLET COMPANY

ANDRETTI CHRYSLER-DODGE-JEEP

LIBERTY AUTO GROUP

STAGE SPONSORS:

ALLIED WASTE

THE VERMILION PHOTOJOURNAL

KINGSTON OF VERMILION

HARBORTOWN MARINE & FLAG

DOMINO’S PIZZA

STEINACKER & SONS ACE HARDWARE

IBEW LOCAL 129

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL THE VERMILION CHAMBER AT 440-967-4477 or visit DiscoverVermilion.com.

US Coast Guard Auxiliary providing Free safety checks June 14th

Start your boating season off the safe way with a complete safety inspection. Romp's Marina is happy to provide you with free boating safety inspections with the help of our friends in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. The USCGA will be at Romp's Marina on June 14th between the hours of 10-3. To have your vessel inspected just stop in the marine store and put your dock number and name on the sign up sheet. Vessel inspections at the dock help to insure a much more pleasant experience for boaters who are pulled over while under way by the Coast Guard, ODNR or local authorities. They also make sure your boat is in ship shape and your passengers are properly protected. As an added bonus, Romp's will treat you to a free hotdog upon completion of your inspection. Just bring the completed inspection from to the Romper Room and enjoy! We hope everyone takes advantage of this opportunity to make sure your safe this summer.

ODNR Weekly Fishing Report

Walleye have been caught trolling nearshore from Huron to Lorain in 32 to 42 feet of water, and in 40 to 50 feet of water off Eastlake to Cleveland, and in 35 to 50 feet of water off Fairport, Ashtabula and Conneaut. Trollers are using stick baits, spoons and worm harnesses off planer boards, jet divers and flatline trolling. Fishing is picking up on the piers at Eastlake and Cleveland. The best times for shore fishing are in the early morning and evening with anglers using surface rapalas.

Yellow perch fishing west of Cleveland has been best off of the condos east of Vermilion and off of the Lorain lighthouse. Fishing has been very good off Gordon and Edgewater Parks in Cleveland in 30 to 40 feet of water, and off all the major ports from Fairport to Conneaut in 35 to 45 feet of water. Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish. Fish have ranged from eight to 12 inches. Shore anglers are catching fish off the long pier in Grand River and also the short pier in Fairport Harbor.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in 15 to 25 feet of water around harbor areas in Conneaut, Ashtabula, Geneva and Fairport Harbor. Fish are being caught on jigs tipped with minnows, leeches, tube jigs, and by trolling crankbaits.

Based on the nearshore forecast the water temperature is 62 off of Toledo and 59 off of Cleveland.

Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while boating.

To view the predicted weather forecast for Lake Erie visit: http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=/raw/fz/fzus61.kcle.glf.le.txt

To view Lake Erie boating information, safety tips, and launch ramps visit: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/default/tabid/2062/Default.aspx

To view entire Lake Erie Fishing Report visit ODNR here

Vermilion Beaches Rated "good" by County Health Dept

Erie County Dept of Health Beach ratings for Swimmers, as of June 2 2008.

Beach# -Beach- Location- MPN Rating

1 Whites Landing -79.4- Fair

2 Pickeral Creek -3.1- Good

3 Crystal Rock -25.3- Good

4 Bay View West -65.0- Fair

5 Bay View East- 24.7- Good

6 Lion’s Park- 3.1- Good

7 Battery Park- 2.0- Good

8 Kiwanis Park- 32.7- Good

9 Cedar Point- 23.3- Good

10 Sawmill Creek- 1.0- Good

11 Huron River West- 17.9- Good

12 Huron River East- 4.1- Good

13 Hoffman Ditch- 18.3- Good

14 Old Woman West- 3.1- Good

15 Old Woman East- 6.3- Good

16 Cranberry Creek- 18.9- Good

17 Fichtel Creek- 1.0- Good

18 Chappel Creek- 10.9- Good

19 Sugar Creek- 23.1- Good

20 Darby Creek- 66.3- Fair

21 Sherod Creek- 22.6- Good

22 Edson Creek- 101.2- Fair

23 Vermilion West- 46.5- Good

24 Vermilion East- 18.3- Good

25 Showse Park- 6.2- Good

MPN Scale

0-64 Good

64-125 Fair

126 and above Poor (three consecutive poor samples is advisory)

235 and above Advisory

VBC/Freeman Eckley Hosts 2008 Beneteau First 36.7 Great Lakes Championships

June 6 - 8 - Vermilion Boat Club and Freeman Eckley Inc host the 2008 Beneteau First 36.7 Great Lakes Championships! The First 36.7 is a 36' one design racer cruiser. We expect 30 to roll into the Vermilion river June 6,7, & 8 for three days of intense racing. Race committee and after race events will be based out of the Vermilion Boat Club, all are welcome to come down and see the action. Or if you have an interest in watching some of the on the water action, contact VBC (967-6634) as there will be spectator boats available. This is premier sailing event, right in the heart of Harbour Town!

Multi-Family Condos proposed for Wakefield Property

Near the West Entrance to the Vermilion River sits a very familiar red house that has been the home to members of the Wakefield family for years. The Wakefields are one of Vermilion's oldest and most respected families. The property in now for sale and one of the prospective suitors has proposed a condominium development for the location. The proposal includes 16 familys in muli-floor buildings. The developers have asked for a special PUD zoning which would deal with some of the various zoning issues the project would face in the area now zoned Flood Plain. Anyone interested in the development or learning more information should attend the Vermilion Planning Commission meeting at 7pm tonight, in the City Council/Court complex.

Safe Fishing Tips (Discover Boating)

Follow these tips to enjoy a safe fishing experience:

If using a boat to fish, wear your life jacket and make sure that your passengers wear theirs, too.

Inspect waterfronts daily – the natural environment is subject to change without notice.

Don’t fish in areas where it is not permitted. These areas have been declared "off limits" to fishing to protect wildlife, vegetation, or for your safety. When choosing a site for fishing, always consider safety factors. Because fishing is practiced in a variety of environments, evaluate factors specific to safety in each environment.

Weather is always a factor. Set up a weather committee or rotate weather forecasting responsibilities.

Bring along extra safety items such as water, flashlights, maps, and a cellphone or radio.

Always wear footgear appropriate to the conditions.

Stay dry, warm, and protected from the elements.Wear a waterproof sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15.Wear thin layers of clothing, and progress outward to include water and wind protection as the final layer.

Use appropriate insect protection measures, including dressing properly and using repellents.

Keep fishing knives sharp and cover the blade when not in use.

Handle fish carefully.

Use safety glasses at all times when casting.

Use caution when baiting and removing hooks

For More tips Visit DiscoverBoating.com

Good Hatch could lead to Great Fishing for years to come

Thanks to the superb 2003 classes of walleye, Lake Erie's sport anglers enjoyed a banner season last year. Which should speak volumes as to this season's walleye fishing prospects as well. This report noted, among other things, that walleye angler effort for the lake's Central Basin increased 26 percent while it grew 18 percent in the Western Basin. The report also noted that walleye from the 2003 year class represented 78 percent of Ohio's total sport catch of 2.16 million fish.The report also says the catch rate on walleye for the Ohio share of Lake Erie last year was .57 fish per hour, only slightly less than the record-tying year of 2006 when it was .59 fish per hour. However, the charter boat walleye harvest fell 14 percent, though this industry had a success rate of .85 fish per hour. On the yellow perch scene, private boat anglers took 4.8 million fish, representing a 12-percent decline with the August to October period accounting for 74 percent of the total catch.

Lake Erie anglers had a good year (The News-Herald)

Lake Erie Marine Trades Association Seeks "stops" information

Lake Erie Marine Trades is asking Marinas and boaters to please report to the LEMTA office any U.S. Coast Guard or Border Patrol stops that you have experienced recently. LEMTA is trying to collect as much information as possible so they can work with the various law enforcement and marine organizations during this year's boating season. You can describe your encounters via email to lemta-at-aol.com or call the LEMTA office at 440-899-5009 within the next week. Any help would be greatly appreciated.