Get ready for night shore fishing on Lake Erie.

LAKE ERIE

I just want to get some information out early concerning the fall walleye fishing activity when the walleye and yellow perch move in close and can be taken at night right off the shoreline. Each autumn signals anticipated walleye action in Lake Erie’s central and western basins. Right now through late October, early November when  the lake temperatures really  drop , walleye hunters will be prowling the piers and shoreline  from Port Clinton thru  the Maumee bay and up into Michigan Luna Pier area. These anglers are looking for the nocturnal walleye feeding action.Lake Eries central and western basin schools make what many call a “pre-spawn staging movement” each fall. Schools of big fish move in off their respective spawning areas and “stage” or rest, after putting on a feeding binge, fattening up for the spring spawn. Thousands of western basin walleye move toward the shoreline drop-offs in search of gizzard shad and minnows. They re often located close to the first or second deep-water drops and move into shoreline shallows to surface feed at night.

One thing I have noticed, rattling crank baits generally out fish the quiet ones 2 to 1.Night anglers at the piers use predominately Rattletrap and Bomber Long-A type of lures.. Keep one thing in mind,as the water temperatures cool, slow your presentation. That means reel in your lure SLOWLY.

As the waters cool and fall approaches I will have more information and tips on how and where to go to get into some of this great nighttime fishing season. Remember you can always stop into the shop and we have all the gear, lures , long nets and fish stories you will need this season to be successful.

Have fun , be safe and good luck fishing.