Walleye

If you're after Walleye, few places rival Lake Erie near Sandusky, Ohio. This area is known as the 'Walleye Capital of the World' for a reason. The Western Basin of Lake Erie offers excellent walleye fishing from spring through fall. The spring walleye migration is legendary, with fish moving into the shallow reefs and nearshore areas to spawn. Trolling crankbaits and worm harnesses are highly effective. A local tip: pay attention to the mayfly hatch in late spring/early summer. Walleye will gorge themselves on mayfly larvae, and matching your presentation to the hatch can be crucial. As the water warms in the summer, walleye move to deeper water, requiring downriggers or lead core line to reach them. Fall is another prime time as walleye stage near spawning grounds before winter. Erie's walleye fishery is carefully managed, resulting in a healthy and abundant population.