I was once a beginner walleye fisherman. Watching people catch giant Lake Erie walleye left me wanting to learn. I took years of knowledge and packed it into this one article to shorten your learning curve.
What Makes Walleye Fishing So Popular?
Walleye fishing has been great on Lake Erie for years. The population has exploded. In return, this has anglers from all over wanting to get on the action. Walleye taste great and are fun to catch.
On Lake Erie, walleye are easily accessible most times of the year. Although, Fall through Spring is the best time to catch trophies.
Where to Fish for Walleye on Lake Erie
- Shore Fishing: Any pier, rock jetty, or steep shoreline has the potential to hold walleye. Some of the more popular areas are Port Clinton Pier, Catawba State Park Pier, West Harbor Breakwall, Huron Pier, Lorain Pier, Edgewater Pier, and East 72nd Street Pier. All are worth a look. For the best success fish at night.
- Rivers: The Maumee and Sandusky rivers are great places to catch walleye in the spring. They make a spawning run into both rivers. March is the best time to target them in the rivers.
- Fishing from a Boat: There are endless opportunities if you own a boat. There are access points on every end of the lake. A quick tip, fish west in the spring, central in the summer, and east late summer. Then the fish make their way back to the west early winter.
Walleye Fishing Techniques for a Beginner
- Drift Fishing: Perfect for covering large areas while maintaining precise bait depth. This is the easiest method to try when first starting out walleye fishing. This is how I fished when I first tried it. Very little equipment is needed and you can cover area fast.
- Trolling: Allows anglers to locate active fish efficiently. Once I got drifting down, I started trolling. Trolling is an effective way to put a lot of fish in the boat fast. It allows you to cover water and keep baits in the strike zone without casting.
- Jigging: Ideal for targeting walleye holding close to the bottom. This is popular in the spring on Lake Erie. Jig shallow rocky areas in the spring. Such as the reef complex in the western basin.
- Casting Lures: If you are shore fishing, cast stick baits. They have a slower action, almost like a jerk bait. They allow you to do a slow retrieve and keep the lure in the strike zone.
Tackle for Walleye Fishing
The Best Walleye Rod
If I had to choose just one rod, I would choose a 6’6” to 7’ medium-light spinning rod with fast action. The fast action tip helps detect light walleye bites. A rod with a sturdy backbone ensures you can set the hook effectively and reel in larger fish.
The Right Walleye Reel
For casting, I recommend using a spinning reel. Look for features like a smooth drag system (important for preventing line breaks) and a gear ratio between 5:1 and 6:1.
- Reel Size: A 2000-3000 size reel is ideal for walleye fishing.
Fishing Line for Walleye
I use braid to fluorocarbon on a spinning reel. This allows me to feel the bite better with little stretch in the line.
For trolling, I use 12 lb. mono. This line has some stretch while fighting walleye.
Best Walleye Lures
Top Lures to Try
- Crankbaits: Great for covering large areas. On Lake Erie I use bandits, husky jerks, Reef Runners, and Perfect 10’s.
- Soft Plastics: Mimic minnows or worms effectively. Northland Tackle makes a great soft plastic. That’s what I use.
- Blade Baits: Emit vibrations to draw strikes from aggressive fish. I use these in deep water for walleye. They work great with forward facing sonar.
