Walleye

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The outlook for walleye anglers remains high. Walleye populations on Lake Erie increased from 49.2 million walleyes in 1997 to 68.2 million in 1998. This means plenty of walleye, with an average weight of 6-8 pounds. Trophy fish - those lunkers measuring 24 to 28 inches - are not a rarity, particulary in the spring before spawning.

The walleye is well-adapted to Lake Erie's ever changing environment, occupying nearly all of the lake as well as some major tributaries. As the water nears 40 degrees in spring, thousands of spawning walleye enter tributaries like the Maumee, Sandusky, and Grand rivers and move onto nearshore reefs along Ohio's shoreline. The males usually remain at their spawning locations throughout the spawning season, however,the females leave these areas soon after releasing eggs. By May and June, post-spawn walleyes are hungry from the lack of eating and will move to find baitfish to eat. there is a repeating pattern in the walleye movement from the Western Basis to the Central Basin and Eastern Basin by late summer and then a return to the Western Basis in fall and winter. This pattern is not constant, but iit seems to be the routine in the past few years .

A successful walleye hatch is totally dependent on environmental conditions such as lake and river temperature, currents and flow rates, and the availability of food for the newly hached young walleyes to survive and grow into juveniles. Zzooplankton (microscopic animals), aquatic insects, and other young fish are a youn walleyes primary diet. But as the walleyes grow older, generally during their first summer, they switch completely to a diet of fish. Western Basin walleyes eat mostly gizzard shad and shiners, but occasionally consume other fish species. Once they switch to a diet of fish, the young walleyes grow rapidly; at the end of their first year, they average 10 inches. Walleyes from good hatches (like 1982 - 1986) can still be caught in the lake today, these older walleye are typically over 30 inches and weigh over 10 pounds!

Successful fishing for walleyes follows their seasonal use of Lake Erie habitats. Early in the year, such as March and April, lake anglers catch pre-spawn fish in the Western Basin in deep areas near spawning reefs as well as in shallow nearshore zones if these areas have sufficiently warmed. As the water temperatrure reaches 40 degrees and the spawning begins, walleyes can be taken in tributaries by shore fishermen or on the lake reefs in the Western Basin. By mid-May, most of the spawning has ended and the walleye become increasingly active and vulnerable to boat anglers in the Western Basin. By the earlysummer months of June and July, peak walleye fishing occurs in the Western Basin. As the fish begin to look for deeper and cooler waters they migrate east. Because of this, th boat fisheries decline in the Western Basin in August and September. In fall, walleye fishing is generally spotty due to abundant prey fish, but can be outstanding at times for both boat and shoreline anglers who can locate schools of fish returning to the Western Basin. During the winter months, most walleyes are concentrated again in the Western Basin and ice fishing can be excellent, especially around the Bass Islands.

Walleye anglers use a number of proven techniques for Lake Erie walleye. During the cold water conditions (January through March), jigs tipped with minnows and a slow presentation near bottom are used most often. As the water temperature rises to 50 degrees fahrenheit in April and May, walleyes are in transition from spawning to their summer pattern and weight-forward spinners, trolled crankbaits, and jigs are all effective at slow to moderate retreives. By June and July, water temperatures exceed 65 degrees Fahrenheit and trolling and/or casting at faster speeds is successful and fish will often be suspended well off the bottom. As waters cool in the fall and prey fish are in high abundance, trolled and casted crankbaits along key nearshore areas can be outstanding.

Walleye are easy to identify because of their bulging, marble-like eyes and long slender body. Walleyes have a structure in their eyes that make them adept at feeding in low light conditions, but sensitive to bright light. In clear lakes, like Lake Erie of the 1990s, walleye compensate for the increased penetration of sunlight in the water by feeding more actively at dawn, dusk, and at night or by staying near the bottom. Cloudy skies, muddy water, or choppy waves all serve to reduce light penetration and to allow walleye to be active in midday and to suspend off the bottom.

The key to finding walleye is remembering how these eyes make walleye more accustomed to darker, murkier waters. Walleye are adapt to feeding in low light conditions. During sunny days, walleye can be found feeding close to the bottom, or at dawn, dusk or night. Cloudy skies, murky water and choppy waves cause walleye to rise from the bottom in search of food.

CURRENT HOW, WHEN & WHERE TIPS:

Anglers in the Western Basin in March and April have an excellent chance of pulling in that lunker walleye. In March, try pier fishing. In and around the launch ramps at the Erie Islands State Park in Catawba and Mazurik Access near Lakeside are favorite points. Males move onto spawning grounds in April and remain for about one month.

 

The Sandusky and Maumee Rivers are a favorite spot for the early pre-spawn walleye anglers. Millions of walleye move into these tributary rivers to spawn shortly after ice has left the lake. Males are primarily caught, however, lunker sized females are readily available and easily caught with the proper techniques.

 

Fish slowly along the bottom in 8-20 feet of water on the inshore reefs and nearshore gravel beds. Deep water walleyes, primarily post-spawn females, are found on broad flats west of Rattlesnake Island, north of Kelleys Island and between Niagra Reef and Middle Sister Island.

 

Favorite spring lures are often brightly colored jigs tipped with shiners, spinners, crankbaits, and scented rubber baits. During post-spawn, cast weight-forward spinners, crawler harnesses, or troll crankbaits in the flats north of the islands.

 

 

 

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GENERAL HOW, WHEN & WHERE TIPS:

 

Pre-spawn walleye are found off launch ramps at Erie Islands State Park and Mazurik in March, and the beaches and reefs northwest of Port Clinton as early as April. Walleye fishing on Lake Erie is a year-round sport. Spring action means fishing from deep areas near spawning reefs or in shallow areas near shoreline. Once spawning begins, walleyes can be taken from reefs or tributaries. By mid-May, walleyes can be found throughout the basin.

 

Peak seaon for walleye is May through June. May sends walleye into deeper water around the reefs and islands.

 

Often ignored by all but the most seasoned pros, the Western Basin's July and August harvests produce the fastest walley fishing of the year. The average walleye catch-rate during July and August is more than 30% higher in the lake's Western Basin than from deeper waters making up the lake's Central Basin.

 

In November and December, walleye can be taken from shoreline in the evening hours. For hardy souls, walleye along with yellow perch are the primary targets of ice fisherman during peroids of safe winter ice. Ice fishing is especially prevailent around the Bass Islands where the lake freezes first.

 

 

 

 

 

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