Walleye on Erie

[topwaterbob]

I would like to find out what month is good for large walleye out of Port Clinton. My friend is taking me on a guided trip and asked me to find out what month was best for quality and not necessarily quantity. Thanks

[Grey Wolf]

I have read reports that the biggest eyes are caught right after ice-out. Wish I could be more helpful.

[Dwight Hottle]

Prespawn. Starting in late March & April. Weather can be a problem with wind & dirty water. Biggest fish are caught trolling.

[topwaterbob]

Thanks guys that helps a lot.

[PondHunter]

I went on a guided trip in May and 6 of us all caught our limit, and they were all very good sized fish with a couple of whoppers.

[flyhatch]

went on a charter last june, 6 limits caught trollong. All good eaters, a few magnums.

[D4u2s0t]

early spring, and fall are typically best for walleye, but they can be caught all season.  Evening/nightime is best.  Walleye have pretty good light receptors in their eyes, (that's why their eyes glow bright white in any light, and where they get their name from) so they use the darker times of day to have the advantage over their meals, and that's when they're most active.  What has worked for me is since walleye are school fish, once we find them we stop the boat.  Trolling will certainly help if you're not familiar with the water, but like any fish if you know a little about walleye, and where they like to hang out, and then can find those spots, no point in trolling after that.  Look for rocky structure in 10-20 feet of water.  Once you find them, a drop shot is excellent.  A little chop on the water is even more ideal.  When you're on a big, new lake, like I said it's tough to find the perfect spots, but i've never left without a limit once I caught the first fish.

[TimJ]

keep an eye on the flw walleye event on Detroit River Apr 8-10 and maybe pre-fishing articles. I think that the huge bags of the past have had a lot of trolling on Erie as a big part.

the Detroit River is a walleye paradise in spring. we vertical jig with mucho success. lots of fish and, early on, lots of big sows. the guys with handlines do well in adverse conditions when the jigs aren't doing it.

[Gone_Phishin]

Test

[done]

Prespawn. Starting in late March & April. Weather can be a problem with wind & dirty water. Biggest fish are caught trolling.

Ditto. Used to go trolling with my father and Uncle in a 21ft Bayliner Trophy. Absolutely awesome time. He had a nice rig so we would get close to 20 rods out back with the riggers and planer boards on that things.

edit: We would head out south of Dunkirk, NY

[Eternal Angler]

I would say any time in late spring.

[I Love BassResource]

Prespawn. Starting in late March & April. Weather can be a problem with wind & dirty water. Biggest fish are caught trolling.

Ditto. Used to go trolling with my father and Uncle in a 21ft Bayliner Trophy. Absolutely awesome time. He had a nice rig so we would get close to 20 rods out back with the riggers and planer boards on that things.

edit: We would head out south of Dunkirk, NY

Man the smallmouth action is insane around Dunkirk, we caught a few gators as well.

[little_stephen]

Prespawn. Starting in late March & April.

when the ice melts, FISH ON!

You cant go wrong early season 'Eye fishin on Erie!    And if all else fails and you cant fish the prespawn, plan your trip and find a multi-species capt.     Youve got a shot at great perch, walleye, and smallmouth fishing if your capt knows what spots are close enough that you can hit a slam on Erie!