$10 million investment will help two Lake Erie fisheries stay competitive and sustain local jobs

The Ontario government is investing over $10 million to upgrade two fisheries management facilities in Wheatley and Port Dover, which will help boost recreational and commercial fishing along Lake Erie.

To support the government’s plan to protect Ontario, these upgrades will strengthen Ontario’s fishing sector by helping the fisheries upgrade and expand operations so they can create and sustain local jobs, increase food production in the region, and stay competitive and resilient to withstand economic uncertainty from the U.S. and whatever comes our way.

“Commercial and recreational fishing in Lake Erie are critical resources to southwestern Ontario’s economy, featuring world-class fisheries that generate millions of dollars and sustain thousands of jobs,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources.

“As part of our government’s plan to protect Ontario, this investment will help boost our province’s economic growth and agri-food sector by ensuring these fisheries are able to stay competitive and resilient in the face of economic uncertainty.”

The planned improvements to the two fisheries management facilities in Wheatley and Port Dover will replace aging infrastructure, expand facility space and incorporate new technologies to improve efficiency and safety. Construction at both locations will begin over the next two years, with the Port Dover facility anticipated to open by 2027 and the Wheatley facility by 2029.

“Wheatley is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and this investment by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is another exciting step forward for the community,” said Darrin Canniff, .Mayor of Chatham-Kent.

“This project not only strengthens our vital fishing industry, but also supports the long-term sustainability of our natural resources. We’re grateful for the province’s commitment to Wheatley and to the future of Lake Erie.”

The renovations will also provide increased space for equipment needed during field operations as well as an upgraded laboratory for processing samples collected in the field.

These upgrades will support the long-term health and sustainability of ecosystems and fish populations in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, while also helping to ensure both facilities are well-positioned to support the current and future needs of Ontario’s fisheries.

“With upgraded infrastructure and innovation through new technologies, this investment protects Ontario’s food security and supports the people who work in our fisheries sector against tariffs from the U.S.,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.

“Our government is proud to support the people who work in our agri-food sector and will continue to make the critical investments that ensure a sustainable and resilient food supply for the people in our communities.”

In addition to today’s investment, the government continues to work closely with commercial fishers to implement a long-term plan to modernize and strengthen the industry’s operations and services. This ongoing project will help cut red tape and streamline processes to make it easier and more efficient for commercial fishery operators to do business.

“We are pleased that the Ministry of Natural Resources is investing in its infrastructure and upgrading its operations on Lake Erie,” said John Omstead, Founder and CEO, John O’s Foods Inc.

“It is a positive sign for the commercial and angling fishing communities that Mike Harris and the MNR are investing in the long-term health and sustainability of Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair.”

Commercial and recreational fishing are integral parts of Ontario’s heritage, culture and economy. This investment will help protect and preserve this resource-based industry, bringing further economic, social and environmental benefits to commercial fishing partners, Indigenous communities and recreational anglers across the province.

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Quick Facts

Lake Erie has one of the world’s largest freshwater commercial fisheries, bringing in an economic benefit of $200 million per year and supporting around 1,000 jobs in the fishery and fish processing sectors.

From 2004 to 2023, Lake Erie contributed an average of 82% of the total commercial fish harvested from the Great Lakes.

Lake St. Clair is a significant recreational fishery in southwestern Ontario, supporting world class muskellunge, yellow perch and bass fisheries.

The St. Clair River supports fisheries for walleye and rainbow trout and the Detroit River supports a prominent walleye fishery in the spring.

Over 1.15 million recreational anglers have an economic impact of $1.74 billion per year in Ontario.

With more than 250,000 lakes and 490,000 kilometres of rivers, Ontario has vast aquatic resources that provide anglers with a wide range of fishing opportunities.

This investment is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario by expanding and renewing critical infrastructure, with investments of more than $191 billion over the next 10 years.

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Additional Resources

• Ontario Boosting Its Fish Populations
• Fisheries in Ontario
• Commercial fishing in Ontario
• Aquatic research and monitoring

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~ Image: Wheatley Harbor by James Photo (Chatham) Ltd. from Internet Archive