"the most prolific fishery in the world in our back yard"???

Last year’s “big fish” was a record 5.44-pounder. And more fish were caught that measured in the memorable range of 43-51 cm in length.
“It all points to a good, quality bass fishery,”
 
Lake of the Woods:
 
http://www.ccconet.com/cgi-bin/start.cgi/bassinfo/results/2007-database.htm
 
Erie:
 
http://proxy.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/media/tournament?tournamentId=1224
 
I don't have to say anything, just read 'em and you'll figure it out.
 
The Columbia River system is a fantastic fishery.  It produces hordes of 10#+ 'eyes each year, but the numbers of 'eyes day in, day out are not like Erie.  Please keep in mind that its King Salmon fishery has been basically shut down due to lack of returns now too.  I would consider that a sign of an ailing fishery or a least a challenged one.  As for Lake O, well, I'm a big fan!  Honestly though, you could add up all the stocked Browns, Kings, Cohos, and add Lakers (little natural repro for any of these species with the possible exception of the Greasers and a few Kings in the Salmon River and a few Canadian systems) to that as well and you aren't going to add up to Erie's population of walleyes alone. 
 
Erie is prolific, because as I have stated before it is FACT it has the largest biomass of ALL the Great Lakes.  The Great Lakes alone are home to some of the biggest numbers and moreover, the biggest numbers of quality fish found virtually anywhere in the world.  Look at Ontario, the week of Labor Day they thought they broke the Coho world record twice in 3 days!  They already held that record and broke it again.  They would have broken it twice in that week, however, the 1st specimen's DNA tests revealed it was a King/Coho hybrid.  The 2nd specimen, larger than the first by 2 ounces, was deemed a true Coho and is expected to replace the old record soon.  Lake Michigan produced several Brown Trout last year over 30#!  The only other fishery I can think of that can hold a candle to that MIGHT be the White River in Arkansas.
 
As for steelies, there is a reason that they call from central Ohio to the shores of NY on Ontario "Steelhead Alley".  The numbers of steelies in Erie is absurd.  I think the lack of numbers of high quality steelhead is low because TOO many inhabit the lake.  Numbers alone DO NOT establish a fishery as world class, but where else are you going to go and stare at literally hundreds of rainbows over 6#?  There are very few places, if any in the world that you can go and hook up 20 to 50 or more steelies or just plain rainbows a day whether it be in the tribs, trolling the mouths, or trolling open waters.  Yes, I know several guys that have hooked up more than 50 times trolling trib mouths.  Our best is 40+ trolling, and I am certain that there are guys that have done that if not more in the tribs.  Take a walk in the 'Nut parking lot in late fall/early winter; I don't think guys would be driving from the places that they are if it wasn't a world class fishery.     
 
I'm sorry you don't find fishing the Erie tribs fun KJH, but why is that?  I would assume you don't like the crowded conditions.  That being said, its crowded because it is SO good.  I don't fish the tribs, because I don't like the crowds, but many times I have dropped the boat in even after the docks are pulled and enjoyed some FANTASTIC fishing at the mouths with very little, if any competition.
 
You just can't argue with the facts folks.