Eyes On - Lake Erie Fishing Charters

Let me begin with the simple statement:
Spring fishing on Lake Erie is exhilarating.
Early spring fishing for the avid angler begins at ice-out, when the area ramps are free of ice. Depending on the weather, this usually occurs early to mid-March. However, iceburgs may still be floating out on the lake ! The water temperature is just above freezing, the air temp may not be much higher .... but my bones warm with the knowledge that the fish of a lifetime is lurking.

The reef area of the far Western Basin is the primary spawning area for the majority of Lake Erie walleye. The big females are pre-spawn and this is the time of year many 10+ lb walleye are targeted.......and caught. From ice-out til the water temp hits the mid-40's, slow trolling crankbaits in the deeper water off the reefs at .8 - 1.3mph is the rule. Popular crankbaits include ReefRunner 800 series and Ripsticks, Rapala Husky Jerks & Renosky's to name a few. We watch the graph to isolate suspended fish, but will always run a few lures in the graph's blind spot - in the top 10' of the water column.

When the water temp hits the mid-40's, the females begin to spawn in the rocks near the shallow reefs. This is when the males move in. Jigging with hair jigs tipped with shiners becomes the rule, and the action can be fast and furious. So many males congregate that a common phrase is "they are stacked on the reef". During this time frame, a few areas in the Central Basin can also offer a bonus catch of smallmouth bass at the same time we're jigging for walleye !!

As the water temps approach and reach the 50 degree mark, usually around early to mid-May, the fisherman is faced with more program options. These include running spoons behind dipsey divers or jets, crankbaits, or running spinner harnesses behind in-line weights. My personal preference is running in-line spinner harnesses with Colorado blades tipped with crawlers. I will almost always also include a crankbait and probably a bottom bouncer to the prowl the deep. I try to let the fish tell me what they want, and adapt.