2007 promises to bring more spectacular walleye fishing and has already been delivering on that promise through the early spring months.
Walleye from the massive 2003 hatch will average 18 to 24 inches in length, the perfect eating size, with plenty of larger fish from previous year classes.
By June, about half of the fish will move to the deeper water of the Central Basin, while the rest will continue to hang around the reefs of the Western Basin all summer.
This is a prime time for casting weight forward spinners, drifting bottom bouncers and worm harnesses and trolling near reefs in the Western Basin.
Many post-spawn walleye head to the same areas year after year. The area from Niagara Reef to northwest of North Bass Island is a good place to target post spawn walleyes using trolling or drift and cast tactics. The area between Kelleys Island and Middle Bass Island also holds good numbers of large, hungry post-spawn fish.
By the second and third week of May, many walleye are well on their way to the bait fish-laden waters of the Central Basin.
The area between Sandusky and Lorain also holds good numbers of fish during this time, and often throughout the summer.
Another consistent producer is the sand bar that runs north from Lorain all the way to Canada. Fish will relate to this structure because they can push bait fish up against it to feed.
Trollers in the Cleveland area start catching walleye in mid-May, and the action really heats up once the water temperature hits 55 degrees.