COLUMBUS, OH -- Lake Erie continues its reputation as the Walleye Capital of the World, due in large part to sizzling summer walleye fishing enjoyed by anglers last year. And, Erie anglers this year should be ready for more of the same, according to Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Many anglers may ponder the best time to fish for Lake Erie walleyes. The answer is simple: when the walleyes are biting! Optimal fishing conditions for walleye include an overcast or cloudy day featuring one-to-two foot waves on the lake.
Lake Erie walleye fishing began heating up last summer in mid-June.
Exceptional catch rates for private boat anglers peaked in July at more than one walleye for every two hours of fishing. This was up from the peak catch rate in July of 2000 of more than one fish for every three hours of fishing. Charter boat anglers had even better catch rates last year, peaking in July at just under one walleye per hour. The annual catch rate in the western basin was one fish every 2.5 hours of fishing. The annual catch rate in the central basin was one fish every five hours.
Anglers can expect to fill coolers with a mixed bag of walleyes ranging in length from 14 to 27 inches, as well as some walleyes in the Fish Ohio category at 28 inches and larger. Walleye fishing last year got a boost from a strong year class of 1999 that entered the fishery as two-year-old fish, measuring 14 to 16 inches. Anglers in 2002 will also be landing many fish from the 1999 hatch, now 17 to 18 inches.
Some of the hot spots last summer included the area between the Toledo Shipping Channel and the Michigan state line, West Sister Island area, south of Middle Sister Island in Ohio waters, Kelleys Island area, C and B Cans, the Reef Complex and north of Niagara Reef.
Anglers should note that fishing conditions on Lake Erie can change hourly. Adjusting fishing methods according to current conditions is key to the best success. Anglers should take into account such factors as season, cloud cover, water clarity, boat traffic, wave action, and amount of prey fish present. Electronic equipment to mark fish is advisable. Once a school of fish is located, anglers should try various techniques including drifting, trolling and jigging at various depths in the water column.
Lake Erie gained its national reputation throughout the 1980s due largely to reef fishing, said Roger Knight, acting Lake Erie Fisheries Programs Administrator. The lake was ideal walleye habitat, with moderately turbid waters that allowed walleyes to be active throughout the day. Moreover, record numbers of fish were present in the walleye population.
But since the 1980s, water clarity has increased, walleye abundance has declined to a moderate level, and walleye feeding behavior has changed. Walleye schools tend to be distributed in patches and anglers often have to search for these schools to be successful, Knight said.
To compensate for these changes, walleye anglers have adopted new tackle and fishing methods. Weight-forward spinners that were once the rage of Lake Erie anglers are now just another lure in the walleye angler's tackle box. Worm harnesses, mayfly rigs, small spoons, and crankbaits are now equally popular baits.
While casting is preferred by many anglers, our data clearly shows that trolling produces more fish per hour expended, probably because trollers cover more water and are more likely to encounter an active school of fish, Knight said.
Summer may be a good time to fish for Erie eyes, but anglers should not put away their walleye gear when the summer is over. Excellent fishing and high walleye catch rates have continued into the late fall in recent years. In fact, in November of 1999, the current state record walleye was caught by a perch angler off Cleveland. The lunker weighed in at 16.19 pounds.
The legal bag limit for walleyes on the Ohio waters of Lake Erie is six from May through February, and four during March and April.
Anglers should take note that if the walleyes stop biting, Lake Erie offers other great angling options including yellow perch, smallmouth bass, white bass and steelhead trout.