[oldfishinghole]

In late fall, Lake Erie is the place for trophy walleye. Right now, anglers willing to brave the cold have the opportunity to catch some of the biggest fish of the year.In nearshore areas along the Ohio coast, large fish are actively feeding on schools of gizzard shad in preparation for winter.

Boat anglers typically troll crankbaits and stickbaits behind planer boards in areas close to shore, sometimes in as little as 10’ of water.During the day fish baits like Reef runners and Rapalas at deeper depths. As the day lengthens and gets closer to dark start fishing at shallower depths. The best time to catch the monster walleye is after dark, many trophy lake erie walleye are caught during darkness.The best areas include Huron, Ruggles Reef, Vermilion, and Cleveland. The best artificial baits to use this year include Reef Runners in Lights Out, Purple Bear Naked and Chartreuse Wonderbread.

Late fall right before the ice comes in is absolutely the best time of year for shoreline anglers to catch their Lake Erie walleye. Piers at Catawba State Park, Lakeside, Huron, Lorain, and Cleveland are often lined with anglers casting Rattle traps and Rapala Husky Jerks throughout the night.

It takes a bit of luck being at the right place at the right time when the gizzard shad schools are swarming around the piers, but if you happen to be there at the right time your night fishing trip to Lake Erie for walleye is going to be a very exciting and productive one. Of course, fishing during this time of year requires special considerations for safety and comfort. Warm clothing is a must, especially after dark; several companies make insulated coveralls with the added benefit of USCG-approved flotation that are ideally suited for cold-water boating. Wet boat decks and piers can freeze quickly, so adequate footwear and caution is recommended; traction aids designed for ice fishing can be very helpful.

Fishing after dark takes a little extra preparation. I recommend that you have good head lamp and a good underwater fishing light for both boaters and pier fisherman alike. Boaters should check for functional navigation lights, ship-to-shore radio, and GPS before departure. Boaters should place lights on planer boards as both a safety precaution and a fishing aid. Following your trip, special attention should be paid to draining all water from the boat bilge and outdrive/outboard to prevent damage by ice formation. Pier anglers should ensure their net handle is long enough to safely land their catch. You need to follow these recommended safety precautions to have a safe and fun trip. The more prepared you are the more chance of you having a very good time on your next late fall Lake Erie walleye fishing trip.