Lake Erie, state of the lake

[bailey]

Well it sounds like it will be another banner yr on Erie for 2014 walleye catches in New York. There are few yr classes where the hatch was great and another coming of size this season . As for yrs with best hatch rates it was said more ice and longer ice coverage improves hatch immensely. The key yrs mentioned had 96 days ice coverage and this yr we are at 102 and counting. In 1983 there was zero ice and next to no hatch seen. The spawn here on Erie is expected to be close to season opener it won't happen till ice is off the lake. We could see some of the best fishing in a long time over the next 4 yrs. Perch numbers are good and 2014 could be banner yr for them also again. So there is some good news for Erie eye chaser's.