Big Fat Walleyes This Year on Erie

[Trophy Specialist]

I’m going to make a bold prediction that the current state walleye record will be topled this spring and that it will be beat on Lake Erie or the Detroit River. The walleyes I’ve seen this year on Erie are the fattest walleyes I’ve ever seen in my life. They are averaging about 20% heavier than normal. I’ve seen 10 pounders this year under 27” and they are all obese looking. A 30 incher will likely go over 13 lbs this year and those jumbo 31-35 inch monsters are going to reach unheard of weights. All the ones I’ve cleaned this year have had layers of white fat in their abdomens and more eggs than I’ve ever seen. They are also thicker through the meaty areas too. The numbers of big fish also seem to be up this year. It’s probably due to the open, warm waters we’ve had this year and there are also lots of baitfish out in Erie too. If the weather cooperates, this is going to be a record busting spring.

[Sturge]

Does that mean that you caught these Ice fishing? Or were they off a wall with bombers?
Just curious
Sturge

[Trophy Specialist]

I've been out in my boat on Erie.

[Sturge]

I think this year will be early in the river.
Sturge

[EYESON]

Trophyspecialist is 100% correct in what he has seen so far. We witnessed the same thing out there, I caught a 12 lb that was 28 inchs and my buddy got a 10 lb. at 27 inchs.
Mike nice to see you the other day are you trying again this weekend? If it is decent we'll see you probably start where we were last weekend.

[Trophy Specialist]

Trophyspecialist is 100% correct in what he has seen so far. We witnessed the same thing out there, I caught a 12 lb that was 28 inchs and my buddy got a 10 lb. at 27 inchs.
Mike nice to see you the other day are you trying again this weekend? If it is decent we'll see you probably start where we were last weekend.
With this wind and heavy rain the lake will likely be very muddy. I doubt that it will clear up by the weekend. St. Clair will also muddy up so the river will be bad for a week too. Looks like a good weekend to work on treestands setups for next fall.

[mal]

do you release these big egg filled walleyes or keep them? i've found that anything over about 24 inches on erie tastes like a mud sandwich.

[EYESON]

I will say that we kept both fish because they were personal best for both of us, but from here on out it is catch and release. We do need to buy a camara for the boat though.:p

[fishinmachine2]

Are you guys trolling with cranks or jigging?? Thanks!

Scott

[Trophy Specialist]

We were trolling, but I know of another guy that was out there jigging that did better than we did.

In the western part of the western basin, from fall through late March, the vast majority of the fish caught are going to be older, egg laiden females. I typically only keep the ones that are gill/gut hooked. I don't start my charter season on Erie until March 25 when more males move into the area. I don't have any walleyes on my wall as I've been holding out for a 15 pound plus fish. I've caught a couple 14+ pounders, but I think the odds are good that I'll be able to break 15 this year.

The Detroit River will be a trophy meca this spring as well as those fish mostly all come from Erie. There will be some brutes pulled from the river too.

[fishinmachine2]

Thanks Mike!!

Scott