Catching Late fall Lake Erie Walleye:AMAZING Trophies!

When the weather turns cold in late fall right before the ice in, Lake Erie is one of the best fisheries for Walleye. If you are willing to brave the cold you can catch some very large walleye along the Ohio shoreline of Lake Erie.In nearshore areas along the Ohio coast, large fish are actively feeding on schools of gizzard shad in preparation for winter.

Boat anglers typically troll crankbaits and stickbaits behind planer boards in areas close to shore, sometimes in as little as 10’ of water.Baits, such as Reef Runners and Rapalas, are fished in the upper portion or the water column to intercept active fish. Successful anglers tend to fish deeper during the day, pulling baits higher as night approaches. The best time to catch the monster walleye is after dark, many trophy lake erie walleye are caught during darkness.The Best area’s of Ohio’s Lake Erie Coast To catch your trophy walleye are Huron, Ruggles Reef, Vermilion, and Cleveland. The best artificial baits to use this year include Reef Runners in Lights Out, Purple Bear Naked and Chartreuse Wonderbread.

Shore-bound anglers get their best shot at Lake Erie walleye during this time of year as well. There are long piers along along the following areas of lake erie that are perfect to catch walleye as they feed on the gizzard shad Anglers will line up along these piers through out the night casting Rattle traps and Rapala Husky Jerks. The locations are as follows: Catawba State Park, Lakeside, Huron, Lorain, and Cleveland.Bass Fishing Lures



It takes a bit of luck being at the right place at the right time when the gizzard shad schools are swarming around the piers, but if you happen to be there at the right time your night fishing trip to Lake Erie for walleye is going to be a very exciting and productive one. It is very important to be safe and prepared for night fishing and freezing slippery conditions on the piers. Warm clothing is a must, especially after dark; several companies make insulated coveralls with the added benefit of USCG-approved flotation that are ideally suited for cold-water boating. Wet boat decks and piers can freeze quickly, so adequate footwear and caution is recommended; traction aids designed for ice fishing can be very helpful.

Fishing after dark takes a little extra preparation. I recommend that you have good head lamp and a good underwater fishing light for both boaters and pier fisherman alike. Boaters should check for functional navigation lights, ship-to-shore radio, and GPS before departure. Boaters should place lights on planer boards as both a safety precaution and a fishing aid. Following your trip, special attention should be paid to draining all water from the boat bilge and outdrive/outboard to prevent damage by ice formation. Pier anglers should ensure their net handle is long enough to safely land their catch. Following these recommendations will ensure a safe and memorable night on the water.