Do you want to catch more walleye on Lake Erie? Learn how Lake Erie walleye night fishing can help you catch more fish!
In this article, we will cover the top 5 essential tips for fishing at night for Lake Erie walleye!
Night fishing for Lake Erie Walleye has been popular for years. In the fall, walleye start to migrate to the spawning grounds. They have one thing on their mind, food. Although walleye can be caught in good numbers and size during the day, the action at night can be even better. One of the benefits of fishing for walleye at night is how shallow you can fish. Walleye feed in on the rocky shorelines at night. In this article, we will cover what you need to know about walleye night fishing.
1. The Best Time to Night Fish for Walleye
Walleye bite at night throughout the year, but the fall is when they come in big numbers and big sizes. The action seems to be the best as the moon sets or rises over the horizon. Fishing at that time is historically known to be good for the bite. If you are a beginner, we recommend you start fishing in the evening when the sun is still up and get your bearings. After you get some practice and feel comfortable at night, you can start in the twilight hours easily.
2. Where to Walleye Fish at Night
When looking for good places to fish at night, you should be looking for two things. Look for structure underwater and access to deep water. Fishing from shore is good when you can find deep water close to where you are fishing. Typically, if you are fishing in the evening from a boat, you will want to start a little deeper from the shore at 15 – 25 feet of water. Sometimes, the bite stays good in deep water, and sometimes the fish come in a little shallower. We have caught fish as shallow as 5 feet of water with shallow crankbaits.
All the factors considered go out the window if there is no bait in the area. As the night wears on, you can come up shallower in the 6-15 FOW areas if the bite slows out deep. When the fish are up that shallow, they usually have bait pushed up to the shoreline. If you see bait, stay put because the fish are there.
3. How to Catch Walleye at Night on Lake Erie
Walleye fishing at night differs from fishing during the daytime. Mainly the depth of water, the ability to catch walleye from shore, and the choice of lures (shallow over deep). Below are some tips to help you catch more walleye at night.
Casting
Casting at night can be a challenge, but if you are persistent, you will hook up. The key here is to keep moving around. There are some nights I have moved to 8 different piers at night, got to the last one, and limited out to 1 hour.
Walleye Boat Fishing
Walleye fishing from a boat is the way to go if you have access to one. You can cast or troll from a boat at night. If you are casting, using your electronics is key. Make sure there is bait in the area. While trolling at night, run your baits in the top 15 FOW. Sometimes, the fish are feeding right under the surface. Get your planer boards out away from the boat to take advantage of the higher fish, those are the ones that are feeding. Typically, anglers will use the largest lure they can cast. Walleye feeding at night are not picky. You want to move as much water with that bait as possible. It will help the fish pin down your bait and get hooked. Baits of choice are Perfect 10s, Husky Jerk 12 – 14, shallow and deep Bandits, and Reef Runner 700s. Lastly, troll a little slower than you would during daylight hours. Sometimes, a little pause in your lures will trigger a bite, try shutting the trolling motor off for 10 or 15 seconds and kicking it back on if the fishing is tough.
4. Safety When Fishing at Night for Lake Erie Walleye
Fishing at night takes practice and good friends. It is not recommended to fish at night alone. Being in the darkness on Lake Erie poses its own set of challenges. If there is an emergency, having a buddy on board the boat will aid in recovery.
When engaging in nighttime walleye fishing, prioritizing safety is paramount to ensure an enjoyable and secure experience. Begin by equipping yourself with the appropriate safety gear, including life jackets, a reliable flashlight, and reflective clothing to enhance visibility. If you want more information on boating safety, check out our article on weather and waves safety!
- Make sure you have the required Coast Guard safety equipment. It’s crucial to inform someone about your fishing plans and expected return time.
- Pay close attention to weather forecasts, as adverse conditions can escalate risks.
- Choose a well-lit location for your night fishing expedition. Use navigation charts to avoid obstacles.
- Maintain a cautious approach when handling fishing equipment in low-light conditions, ensuring that all hooks, lines, and other gear are managed safely.
5. Good Areas to Fish at Night for Walleye
Huron
Go out of the river and head east towards Ruggles Reef or West towards Cedar Point. If heading west, fish the sand flats in between Huron and Cedar Point. This is a known staging area for fall-running walleye. If fishing Ruggles Reef, it is good on the outside edge into 7 feet of water. It depends on where the bait is.
Lorain
Go out of the river and head East or West, but stay in line with the end of the break wall. This is a rock shelf where walleye move in to feed. Look for bait in the area, mostly shad. Using live sonar inside the breakwall can be great for fishing as well.
Cleveland
Inside the break wall can be good at times, but outside has better fishing. In front of Edgewater Park can be hot and heavy action when the fish push the bait up. It is your choice whether you troll in shallow or deep water. The towns to the East and West of Cleveland also have great night fishing. The Rocky shoreline runs for miles in both directions.
Mouse Island
The point off of Mouse Island has good fishing. Be aware of current in this area. Fish the end of the point.
Port Clinton
The shallow beaches get pretty good at night around the Portage River. Shore fishermen frequent the waterworks pier. Boat fishermen do well trolling in 5-10 feet of water in front of the beach in Port Clinton. Walleye will move to this area at night to feed on shad.
Kelley’s Island
The Island offers outstanding walleye fishing at night. It has deep water on all sides. Try fishing on the South side in front of the marina. This area features a rocky shelf where walleye like to feed in the evenings.
Hopefully, you learned something while reading this short guide. And most importantly, it helps you catch more walleye at night.
Hopefully, this short article will give you some pointers and starting places for your next walleye night fishing adventure. Remember, safety first. And as always, have fun and bring friends with you!