The Ohio Wildlife Council (OWC) approved an increase last week in the spring bag limit for walleye in Lake Erie and the Maumee River starting March 2020. The walleye bag limit will increase from four fish to six fish daily from March 1 to April 30 in Lake Erie.

The new bag limit will be in place whenever Ohio’s total allowable walleye catch, or quota, exceeds 3 million fish. In the Sandusky River, the daily bag limit remains at four walleye.

Non-resident anglers under the age of 16 have been exempted from obtaining an $11 nonresident Lake Erie fishing permit. Non-resident anglers must purchase the special Lake Erie permit from Jan. 1 to April 30.

The OWC also approved Ohio’s 2019-2020 hunting season dates and bag limits. Deer archery season is Sept. 28-Feb. 2. Youth deer gun is Nov. 23-24. Deer gun is Dec. 2-8, and Dec. 21-22. Deer muzzleloader is Jan. 4-7, 2020. Deer bag limits remain the same for all counties.

Waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits will be set in late summer using federal guidelines.

For a complete list of all proposed changes, visit the Proposed Rule Summary at wildohio.gov.