Early Lake Erie Walleye

Do you know where the fish are this time of year. It’s surprising how many people don’t. They concentrate on the spring spawn in the Sandusky or Maumee rivers. What they don't realize is that there is great fishing not far offshore.

There are a number of reefs in Lake Erie just offshore from Magee Marsh that always produce trophy walleye in the early spring. Big Pickerel Reef, Cone Reef, Crib Reef and Toussaint Reef to mention a few. The water is fairly shallow around these reefs so most fishing will be in the ten foot to twenty five foot range.

Some fishermen troll but the majority use the jigging method this time of year. They do what is called vertical jigging. Once the walleye are marked in an area the fishermen drop their lure to the bottom and jig the lure near the bottom. Some anchor and jig an area then move if that area is not productive. Others drift across the reefs and once the fish are located they anchor.

There are as many types, colors and style of jigs as there are fishermen. They come in weights from 1/16 oz to 3/8 once. They can have grub bodies or feathered bodies or be tipped with a nightcrawler. Actually there are far to many variations to mention here. If you are new to jigging for walleye check the local fishing forums to see what the local guys are using. They will usually be very specific about what they are using.

As you can imagine, the weather can be unpredictable in the early spring. It is best to dress warmly but in layers so you can dress down if it warms up. There won’t be a lot of boats out there so make sure your radio is working and your safety gear is in good shape. Expect the water temperature to be in the mid to upper 30’s. Gloves and hand warmers are a welcome addition.

If you are new to spring walleye fishing, stop into one of the many fine bait and tackle shops to get up to date information. They can clue you in to which lures are being used, which boat ramps are open (that can be a problem early in the year) and the general area where the fish are biting.

Early walleye fishing is not for the faint of heart. You can count on cold water, cool to cold weather and windy conditions. If you think you can handle these conditions there are trophy walleye to be caught.