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2/12/2001
- Article
All
eyes on Lake Erie
by Rick Olson
Where
in the world can you go and have a real shot at catching a walleye
over nine pounds every time you get out on the water? The answer is
none other than Lake Erie, the world’s finest walleye fishery, bar
none.
 The
number of walleyes available to Erie anglers is staggering. What’s
even more impressive is the average size, as anglers can expect to
catch plenty of fish in the six to nine pound range. Although just
about anytime of the year is the right time to fish Lake Erie, there
are definitely peaks that anglers should try to take advantage of.
"Open
water holds the key to big Erie ‘Eyes"
One
of the most intense peaks of the entire season occurs just after the
spawning period. Although the post spawn period is usually
associated with some of the toughest conditions you’ll ever be
faced with , Erie is definitely the exception.
You
can find the key to overcoming these tough fishing conditions in the
numbers. The spawning season is a time of the year when walleyes
bunch up in heavy concentrations, on or near major spawning reefs
and shoals. Lake Erie is no exception and the walleyes stack into
these aforementioned areas like nowhere else on earth. With that
many fish bunched up into limited confines, the odds of finding a
few biters starts to get better and better.
Even
during the slowest periods of activity, there is almost always at
least a few that are willing to bite. When you have a heavy enough
concentration, you’re more likely to find quite a few that will
give it up for a bait that is put in the right place at the right
time. While the right time has been established, the right place
needs to be clarified.
While
some of the Lake Erie spawn occurs in it’s numerous incoming
rivers and streams, most takes place on it’s rocky reefs and bars.
Many of these spawning reefs are located in the western most part of
the lake, and include the Bass Islands and all points west. Walleyes
that roam the main part of the lake for much of the year, begin a
migration that leads them into the western basin by early spring. In
fact the migration begins as early as the prior fall, which is
fodder for another story.
The
rocky reefs and bars are easily found on any of the many maps
available, with most offering G.P.S. co-ordinates, and are the very
place where you should start your search. Although you would
normally expect spawning activities to take place in shallow water,
the Erie reefs are another exception to the rule, and the deeper
structure should not be overlooked. These reefs will attract and
hold smaller male walleyes for up to three or four weeks, and can
make for some fantastic fishing. The reefs are easily fished by
simply throwing out an anchor and working a jig vertically tipped
with a minnow. It’s pretty basic, almost primitive stuff, but it
can be a real gas, especially when you’re getting hit on every
drop, and when you pull a fish to the surface and see four or five
fish following it in.
While
the top of the reefs can really heat up, it’s not the place to
catch the real hawgs. Those are the females which are the larger of
the species, and can be found close by, but require a completely
different approach.
To
get in on the big fish, try looking down and out. Females don’t
seem to waste much time when it comes to the spawning cycle, as they
move in, drop their eggs, and then move off. They’ll often head to
the first break or drop-off, and take a little time to rest, laying
and recuperating in deeper water. Even on Erie, fish that are
spawning, or have just finished, are not very cacthable. Walleyes
don’t all spawn at the same time however, and plenty of fish can
be found in the various stages. The ones to key on are the fish that
have yet to spawn, and those that have had a week or two to
recuperate.
To
get in on the action, you can try dragging a jig and minnow along
the base of the drop off. Because you’ll be working deeper water,
a heavier jig is in order. Jigs in the 3/8 to ½ oz. range, tipped
with a minnow, are the ticket. A simple lift and drop is about all
the action you’ll need to trigger a strike.
The
next place to look is the open water, beyond any type of structure.
As big walleyes become active, they’ll suspend in open water,
relating to nothing but their next meal. They are easily marked on a
good graph, like the Raytheon L760 color fishfinder.
The
L760 fishfinder has 640 vertical pixels, which gives it unmatched
definition, and it does it all in amazing color. The advantages of
the color read out become more apparent when you see the unit in
action.
Changes
in bottom density are indicated by vivid changes in color, and fish
hugging the bottom almost jump out at you. It’s the ability to
mark bottom hugging walleyes that will help you decide where and how
you’re going to fish.
As
previously mentioned, active walleyes will suspend, but when
they’re not they can often be found holding tight to the bottom,
even if the bottom is mud or silt. The culprit most often
responsible for this condition is the passing of a cold front. Even
if they’re a little off, at least a few of those fish holding
tight to the bottom can be caught. A bottom bouncer and a spinner
and live bait combo is one of the best ways to yank walleyes that
are glued to the bottom.
As
conditions begin to stabilize, and the weather steadily improves,
more and more fish will lift off the bottom and suspend, which can
make for peak fishing conditions. When that happens, trolling
crankbaits becomes the most effective means for putting huge numbers
of walleyes in the boat. Crankbaits, like the new Tail Dancer from
Normark, slowly trolled at ’eye level, can prove to be too much
for all those eyes to resist.
To
get a bait to ride at the right depth, experiment! There are several
ways to get the job done but to keep it simple, try running a crank
behind an inline weight with a six or eight foot leader, and vary
the amount of line you let out. Try different baits, at different
speeds, until you start to find something that works. It wouldn’t
hurt to have a few planer boards with, as they will allow you to
fish more lines and can keep the baits away from the boat which will
help reduce the spooking factor. If you’re marking fish, you can
be certain that most of them are walleyes, and it would probably pay
to stick around until you put together a successful pattern. If
you’re not marking, you better keep moving until you do.
Although
Lake Erie is certainly immense, the big lake can be safely fished
with a smaller craft if, and only if, you pay close attention to the
weather. Pay close attention to the present weather, as well as what
is predicted. If it looks questionable, don’t go! Another good
idea would be to install a marine band radio, like the Raymarine 53
VHF. With a marine band you can receive the latest weather
conditions, as well as any present or impending danger. It also
gives you the ability to contact the Coast Guard, in case you run
into real trouble. The Raymarine 53 is completely waterproof, and
has the power you need to insure your message is received. Another
great feature is a safety mechanism built into the microphone that
allows you to send a distress signal with G.P.S. co-ordinates by
simply pushing a button.
Bad
weather can keep you off the lake for a couple of days or more, and
is a fact that you may want to consider when making your plans.
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