Gov. DeWine's Fish Ohio Day puts spotlight on Lake Erie, $17.2B Ohio fishing industry

PORT CLINTON - For 43 years, the Governor’s Fish Ohio Day brought together representatives from the government, the media, and the fishing and tourism industries to recognize, celebrate and protect the tremendous impact Lake Erie has on the state. In the process, those that gather make lifetime memories as they fish together on the lake. For Larry Fletcher, president of Shores and Islands Ohio, the memories were a little stronger this year as he fished with Ohio’s First Lady, Fran DeWine.

“This may be the most memorable for me because I had the honor of fishing with the First Lady,” Fletcher said to the crowd gathered at Shores and Islands Ohio Welcome Center West on Thursday for the 43rd Annual Governor’s Fish Ohio Day. “The First Lady caught the first keeper fish on the boat.”

In all, 10 members of Gov. Mike DeWine’s family enjoyed casting for Lake Erie walleye prior to the Fish Ohio Day reception emceed by Scott Butterworth, manager of Division of Wildlife District 2.

First Lady of Ohio enjoys a day fishing

“We had a wonderful time,” the First Lady said.

Marketing the lake’s recreational opportunities is key to promoting the state, the governor said.

“When you’re talking about Ohio and all the things Ohio has, you have to start with Lake Erie,” DeWine said. “When you’re talking to people about moving to Ohio, quality of life is very important.”

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said that, although Lake Erie is not the biggest Great Lake, it is “the best Great Lake” for fishing. When Lake Erie’s health is compromised, it affects thousands of lives. DeWine expressed gratitude to the legislature for collaborating with him to protect the lake.

“From my first budget, I challenged the legislature. I told them we have to do a lot for Lake Erie,” DeWine said. “The legislature for three straight budgets continued to commit more money to H2Ohio. I can’t do it without the legislature.”

Ohio fishing industry creates $17.2 billion in revenues

The governor’s H2Ohio initiative was created to address water quality issues across the state. The program not only protects Ohio waters, but it also impacts the economy. Fletcher said the fishing industry creates $17.2 billion in annual revenue for the state and produces 126,000 jobs.

One of those jobs belongs to Paul Pacholski, a charter boat captain who serves as president of the Lake Erie Charter Boast Association. Pacholski’s livelihood is dependent on the health of Lake Erie, and he told the crowd gathered on Fish Ohio Day that he is grateful for the governor’s commitment to protecting Lake Erie waters.

“I’ve never seen a more dedicated group of people who want to make the lake better,” he said. “That comes from the leadership, from the governor’s office. I’m very confident in the team the governor has assembled.”

Fletcher said Fish Ohio Day would not be possible without the generosity and talents of the charter captains who participate in the event. Their work is integral to the recreational, and, therefore, economic impact of Lake Erie.

State launches charter captain certification course

Kendra Wecker, Chief of the Division of Wildlife, announced that the state will launch, by request of charter captains, a charter captain certification course on Aug. 1.

“We’re partnering with Ohio Sea Grant to offer a new certification course for charter captains,” Wecker said.

ODNR Director Mary Mertz spoke of the importance of the boating industry in Ohio.

“It surprises people that we have 650,000 active boating licenses here in Ohio,” she said. “We provide boater education and an efficient licensing system, and we keep people safe.”

Mertz thanked DeWine for his commitment to boater safety, and she recognized the efforts that Ohio’s General Assembly has put forth to support H2Ohio.

“The General Assembly has been so supportive of the program,” she said.

Although many speakers praised the governor’s commitment to the health of Lake Erie, DeWine wished to recognize the dedication of one of Lake Erie’s most passionate advocates: charter captain Peg Van Vleet. He invited Pacholski to return to the stage to present Van Vleet with a certificate of appreciation for her dedication to protecting and promoting Lake Erie.

DeWine fished in VanVleet’s boat for many years on Fish Ohio Day, and this year was the last time. Van Vleet retired from the charter business on Friday.

But last Thursday, it was business as usual as VanVleet took the governor in search of walleye on Lake Erie and helped his 5-year-old grandson catch fish on her boat.

“There’s nobody better with children on a boat that Captain Peg,” DeWine said.

Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at  sheritrusty4@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Gov. DeWine back on Lake Erie for Fish Ohio Day