Erie improving, several still opt for river run

2008 Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour season under way

PORT CLINTON, Ohio – Lake Erie’s western basin is probably the best walleye fishery in the world. Mid-April is also prime time for big females weighing 10 pounds or more. So why are nearly a third of the 150 boats fishing the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour season opener opting for a 50-mile run to the Detroit River?

Although the conditions are improving, Lake Erie is substantially dirtier than normal. Water clarity in most parts of the lake is less than a foot. For some perspective, an angler can dip his hand in the water and not see it. As always, the walleye population on Lake Erie is extremely healthy. Schools of fish are showing up on the graph, but they can’t see the bait. And they can’t eat what they can’t see.

Although it sounds strange, many are contemplating the long run to the Detroit River. In fact, the parking lot at Elizabeth Park Marina in Trenton, Mich., was reportedly half full of tournament walleye boats Monday afternoon. There, the water is protected and clear. The fish are smaller, but they are willing to bite. The problem is that high winds are in the forecast and a 50-mile run in rough conditions can take well over two hours. That leaves only three or four hours of precious fishing time. Weather.com has actually termed today “Windsday” in honor of the gusty southerly winds that are gripping the central United States.

But the river strategy can work. For proof, look no further than the recent Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League event held out of Port Clinton. At that tournament, David Leach of Linwood, Mich., ran to the river and caught five walleyes that weighed 16 pounds, 4 ounces. Tying him for first place with only three walleyes was Dave Hall of Chesterland, Ohio, who fished the lake.

Veteran walleye pro Rick Olson had planned to run to the river on day one. But after seeing the conditions firsthand, he has decided to stay on the lake.

“I would sure like to go there,” Olson said. “I would have a good chance at getting a limit in the river. My best day in practice was about 20 pounds over there. But that south wind means it will be a pretty rough ride home.”

The sentiment among the anglers is that the fishing on the lake will explode in seven to 10 days. The lake is improving every day, and it wouldn’t be surprising if a handful of 30-pound limits crossed the scale.



“It’s getting better. I’ve been here before when you absolutely can’t catch them in practice, and then it’s like the light comes and every fish starts eating. It could take off, but I don’t think It’s going to be today.”

Folgers pro Dennis Lantzy, who lives in Warren, Mich., near the river, is also going to fish Erie on Wednesday.

“I just can’t see passing all the quality fish here to go to the river,” he said. “I’m opting for more time and more lines in the water. I figure if I get three nice fish from trolling, that’s the same as a limit from the river.”

Tournament logistics

Nor’Easter Club in Port Clinton will host daily takeoffs each morning at 7. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will be held at Water Works Park in Port Clinton beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 2826 E. Harbor Road in Port Clinton beginning at 4 p.m. The community is invited to attend daily takeoffs and weigh-ins, which are free and open to the public.

Pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day and fish for a combined boat weight. Pros compete against other pros, and co-anglers compete against other co-anglers. The full field competes during the three-day opening round for one of 10 final-round slots based on their three-day accumulated weight. Weights carry over to day four, with the winners determined by the heaviest four-day weight. In the Pro Division, the winner can take home up to $100,000 in cash if he or she is contingency qualified. The top co-angler prize is $20,000.

Wednesday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:50 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 43 degrees

Expected high temperature: 65 degrees

Water temperature: 40-44 degrees

Wind: SSW at 19 mph

Maximum humidity: 48 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny and windy