Blade Fishing Report: Outstanding walleye fishing in Lake Erie
7/12/2018
Capt. Dave Spangler of Dr Bugs Charters fishes for walleye on Lake Erie this summer. Walleye fishing in the lake has been strong.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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Lake Erie/Ohio: The staff at Netcraft reports that the walleye fishing has been outstanding north and northeast of Kelleys Island, for anglers pulling Tru-Trip 40s fished 35-45 feet back, using crawler harnesses and spoons. Gold or copper blades with chartreuse and red beads have been the best-producing combo. Captain Eric Hirzel from Erie Gold Sportfishing reports that the western end of the lake cleaned up after a recent wind event and his party found a limit of nice fish east of Kelleys while targeting the 20-30 feet zone in 45 feet of water, using spoons and Bandits. He found some decent walleye midweek trolling between Turtle Creek and Crane Creek. On the perch side, the Netcraft gang reports limits are coming off Little Cedar Point in 15-18 feet of water and out of Bolles Harbor in 14-20 foot depths.
Catawba boat ramp: Anglers are reminded that the boat ramps at Catawba Island State Park will be closed for construction through the end of the year. The Mazurik boat access area on the north side of the Marblehead Peninsula and Dempsey boat access area on the south side of the Marblehead Peninsula are alternatives during this closure.
Lake Erie/Michigan: The MDNR reports the walleye fishing has improved in Brest Bay, off the River Raisin, and near Stony Point. The trollers are using copper, purple, chartreuse, or lime crawler harnesses with bottom bouncers, fished 50-65 feet back.
Maumee River: The summer doldrums have a pretty good grip on this waterway, according to river guru Joe Roecklein. He reports a few catfish anglers are working the Orleans Park and Rossford Marina areas and having some success with the traditional bottom rigs and baits. Other fishermen have been working the faster water where the river narrows at Buttonwood and found limited success.
Sandusky River: The action is slow for the anglers, but very robust for the crew that is demolishing the ancient Ballville Dam. A lot of fishermen are watching the removal process, anxious to see what their river looks like when that concrete behemoth no longer stands in the way of the flow.
Lake St. Clair: Muskie guide Spencer Berman reports good fishing over the past week, with size trumping the numbers as his clients have tied into “some real giants.” Berman said the main weed beds in the lake have blossomed as the water warmed, and the casting bite around those clusters has been very good.
Irish Hills: The resident octogenarian bluegill impresario John Zuelke reports that he is still finding fish in shallow water early in the day, fishing worms and live crickets under floats, and a few recent females in the catch were still loaded with eggs. History tells the experienced anglers on these lakes that the bluegills should be headed for deep water soon, but apparently not yet.
Michigan/sturgeon: The lake sturgeon season opens on Monday on the Detroit River, St. Clair River, and Lake St. Clair. On the Detroit River, the fishing is catch-and-release only. On Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River, sturgeon must be between 42 and 50 inches to be kept, with the possession season running through Sept. 30. Anglers are limited to catching and keeping one lake sturgeon per regulatory year (April 1-March 31) and are required to report, within 24 hours, any lake sturgeon they take. Reporting can be done online at michigan.gov/registerfish, or by calling 844-345-FISH.