OHIO LAKE ERIE CHARTER FISHING INDUSTRY - 1985-1994

This article presents new data on the characteristics and business ope rations of Ohio's Lake Erie charter fishing industry. To monitor chang es in the industry I surveyed a random sample of 315 licensed Ohio cha rter captains by mail in October and November 1994. The number of Ohio charter captains, reacting to changing Lake Erie environmental and bu siness conditions, grew rapidly in the 1980s, peaking at 1,211 captain s in 1990. Concerns of charter captains have changed throughout the ye ars. In 1994, charter market demand and business cost factors were the top concerns. Ohio captains remaining in the industry in 1994 have im proved their cash flow and economic viability. Increases in operating costs have been offset by increased revenues and reduced capital costs , the latter caused partially because captains have kept their boats l onger. In 1994, only those captains making 41 or more trips had econom ically viable enterprises that more than offset the costs of owning a pleasure boat. This is an improvement from the 60 or more trips needed to break even in 1990 and 1985. My survey shows that the Ohio charter industry will continue to meet changing environmental and business co nditions, providing anglers abundant opportunities for Great Lake fish ing experiences.