Springtime Walleye on Lake Erie's Western Basin   by Robb DeVries

in Outdoors / Fishing    (submitted 2011-04-18)

Lake Erie is known as the Walleye Capitol of the World, and for good reason, too. The walleye fishing on the lake can be extraordinary, if you know what you’re doing. Every year anglers pack the shores of the Maumee River waiting for the walleye run. An equal number of anglers pack up in groups jig fishing the Detroit River in search of the monster springtime walleye, when maybe they should try spending some time on the lake.

The majority of the walleye spawn takes place on the reefs of Lake Erie near where these two rivers flow into the lake, not in the rivers themselves. Walleye in Lake Erie hold to structure, or humps, on the bottom of the lake for both the pre and post spawn. The point is, if you can find a hump you can find fish. Not only are there more fish spawning in the lake than in the rivers, but there are also fewer fishermen targeting these fish. This makes for a more relaxing fishing experience. Plus, there is less stress associated with fishing the openness of the lake, as apposed to maneuvering your boat through hundreds of other vessels floating down a river so packed you could reach over and shake hands with your neighbor. Nor do you have the hassle of screaming “Fish on!” and hoping the other anglers around you move out of the way so you can chase your catch up and down the river.

So how do you target these pre and post spawn walleye? It’s easy. Simply use your fish finder to find a hump where the bottom comes up to about 8-15 ft in depth, and drift over it. You will want to use a jig or use a blade bait. As far as jigs go, the purple hair jig rains supreme. Use one that is just heavy enough to keep your bait on the bottom. Fish it naked with a stinger hook. Cast out the jig and let it sink to the bottom. Then give it a swift jig that moves it toward the boat and up off the bottom. Than let it sink back down. Walleye will hit this on the drop, so be ready. If this technique does not produce fish, you can try to tip your bait with a minnow.

Another technique for catching spring walleye is jigging a blade bait. Here, you will again look for the same kind of structure, or hump. Use a blade bait that is just heavy enough to keep in contact with the bottom. Unlike using a jig, with a blade bait, you lift the bait slowly off the bottom. You should feel the action of the bait vibrate the pole. Once again the fish normally hit on the drop of the lure. If you can’t feel the action of the bait than you snagged bottom and need to clean the hooks. Color choice is also important with blade baits. A good rule to follow is: the darker and muddier the water, the brighter and flashier the lure. If the water is clear, a more realistic color pattern should be chosen.

Springtime is a great time of year for walleye fishing on Lake Erie, so get away from the crowd and out on the water. If you don’t own a boat, hiring a charter captain is a great way to get on the fish. Charter captains provide numerous advantages over recreational fishing because of their experience and networking with other captains. If you have never fished lake Erie, it is probably a good idea to hire a captain who can show you the ropes. Captains like myself love to share information and want to help you catch fish. We will put you on the fish; show you what to look for, and how to present your bait. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, come down to Lake Erie and experience some of the best walleye fishing in the world. Hope to see you on the water.

About the Author

My name is Captain Robb DeVries and I am a fulltime firefighter and paramedic with a passion for fishing. I grew up fishing inland lakes and rivers for bass and panfish. And even though I have over 27 years of fishing experience, I still find myself learning new things all the time. Two years ago, I decided to take my passion to the next level and become a charter captain. I am now USCG licensed and MIDNR inspected and insured. But once I joined my charter association, fishing changed for me. I found that a whole network of resources had now become available to me, resources that really brought my skills to the next level, and resources that ultimately became the reason that I decided to start writing, so I can pass that knowledge onto you. I am the owner and captain for DownDay Charters, and want to share what helped me on my journey toward becoming a more productive fisherman and successful charter captain. And of course, I'd love the chance to take you out and show you what I know. For more information about fishing and charters check out my company at downdaycharters.com. I hope to see you on the water.

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