Lake Erie and the rest of the Great Lakes have little ice cover so far this winter. The winter ice cover has many benefits for the lake and its ecosytem and going without it can have ramifications. But while the lack of ice has been especially difficult for ice fishing enthusiasts and the tourism dollars it generates, open water fishing fans are enjoying an extended season.
Lt. Commander Steven Kingsley, Domestic Icebreaking Operations Supervisor, US Coast Guard 9th District
Jay Austin, Ph.D., Professor, Large Lakes Observatory, University of Minnesota, Duluth
Michael Durkalec, M.S., Aquatic Biologist, Cleveland Metroparks