The massive algae bloom plaguing Lake Erie again this summer is now turning away anglers, says the Detroit Free Press.
While there is no clear evidence linking the bloom to declines in the fish population, fishing guides are dealing with canceled charters because the lake’s prized fish, the walleye, have become scarce. Operators say the main questions they hear are, “How bad is the algae?” and “Can I eat the fish?” One guide in particular, who has spent more than 20 years on the lake, says the lack of fish have forced four cancellations in two weeks.
The bloom is caused by a confluence of factors, but the main culprit is runoff from agricultural fields. Last summer, a Lake Erie bloom caused the city of Toledo to shut down water to 400,000 residents for three days.