Gov. DeWine Highlights Lake Erie’s Economic Impact During Final Fish Ohio Day

During what marked his final Fish Ohio Day as governor, Mike DeWine said Lake Erie is much more than one of the world’s premier fishing destinations. It’s a powerful economic driver that supports communities across Ohio’s north coast, including Put-in-Bay.

Speaking during Tuesday’s Fish Ohio Day luncheon at the Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center in Port Clinton, DeWine emphasized that Lake Erie’s impact extends far beyond recreation.

“Lake Erie is a wonderful place,” DeWine said. “It’s a great place to fish, a great place to walk, great to hike and do all kinds of things. But in addition to that, it has a huge economic impact on our north coast.”

The governor pointed to full hotels, busy charter fishing businesses and the thousands of visitors who travel to the region each year to experience Lake Erie.

“You go into motels, they’re filled. You talk to charter boat captains, and they tell you how many people they’re taking out every single year,” DeWine said. “A lot of economic activity is going on, and what’s responsible for it is Lake Erie.”

Those remarks came as Shores & Islands Ohio President Larry Fletcher announced updated tourism figures for the first time, highlighting just how significant the Lake Erie region is to Ohio’s economy.

According to Fletcher, the eight Ohio counties bordering Lake Erie generated $20.6 billion in tourism-related economic impact in 2025, a 3% increase compared to 2023. The visitor economy also supports 135,200 jobs and generated $2.74 billion in tax revenue, up 5.5% from 2023. Together, those eight counties account for 28% of Ohio’s total tourism-related tax revenue, despite representing just eight of the state’s 88 counties.

For communities like Put-in-Bay, those figures represent more than statewide statistics. Every season, visitors arrive by ferry to enjoy boating, charter fishing, local restaurants, hotels, wineries, attractions and the island’s unique Lake Erie experience. Tourism remains the foundation of the island’s economy.

DeWine also stressed the importance of protecting Lake Erie so future generations can continue to enjoy both its recreational opportunities and its economic benefits.

“We have an obligation to preserve and protect Lake Erie,” he said. “It’s not by chance that Lake Erie is as strong as it is. We’re preserving it, we’re protecting it, and we do this with some amazing people who work hard every day.”

As he reflected on his final Fish Ohio Day as governor, DeWine said continuing to invest in Lake Erie should remain a priority long after his administration ends.

“We’ve got to continue year after year,” he said. “It’s like anything else. You have to continue to invest.”

Fish Ohio Day brings together anglers, tourism leaders, elected officials and conservation partners each year to celebrate Lake Erie’s world-renowned fishery while highlighting its importance to Ohio’s economy and outdoor recreation industry.