Erie County centrally located along Lake Erie's southern shore, provides easy access to some of the best fresh­water fishing in the country. Whether heading to the lake's western basin and Sandusky Bay or to the deeper waters of the central basin, anglers are sure to take home impressive catches. Lake Erie's fishery and fishing tactics are not as predictable as they once were. Gone are the days when the lake was known only for June walleye fishing and September perch fishing.

"Anglers should keep in mind that the lake and its fish community are constantly changing, and so must fishing tactics for the best success," said Roger Knight, supervisor of the Ohio Division of Wildlife Lake Erie Fisheries Research Unit in Sandusky. "Fishing success can be affected by many factors, such as weather, water clarity and angler know­how, but knowledgeable anglers can expect excellent fishing for a variety of species into the foreseeable future."

Lake Erie is known not I only for its variety of fish l and large populations but I for its trophy­sized fish as well. The current state walleye record-15 pounds, 13 ounces-was taken from Lake Erie by a fall pier angler. The state record smallmouth bass 9 pounds, 8 ounces was caught by a Lake Erie angler near the Bass Islands.

When catching lunkers, Lake Erie anglers should measure their catches to see if the fish qualify for Fish Ohio awards. Applications are printed in the 1995­96 Ohio Fishing regulations brochure available from the Sandusky/Erie County Visitors Bureau. Cal1 1­800­255­ERIE for more information.

Improved water clarity has altered behavior patterns of the fishery, especially walleyes. Walleye a nocturnal species-often stop biting once the sun reaches its midday high. The best action occurs early morning, late afternoon or early evening. Walleye are also concentrating in deeper waters (away from reefs), making trolling with crankbait and spoons highly successful. Many western basin anglers also catch walleyes by drifting and casting weight forward spinners tipped with night crawlers. Most of the 1995 catches will measure 17­21 inches from the 1990­91 hatches, and 13­15 inches from the 1993 hatch. Anglers can expect to reel in a good number of older, trophy­size walleye in the 24 to 30­inch range.

Walleye fishing is a year­round activity as long as the ice is thick. Winter anglers catch walleye and yellow perch along shorelines and around South Bass Island. The spring walleye fishery, in March and April, is known for the size of its catch.

Three months-April, May and June mark the peak of the western basin's walleye season. As the walleye fishing slows in the western basin in July, it picks up in the central basin through September, when walleye begin to school toward deeper, cooler waters.

Shore anglers line the area's piers, especially those in the western basin, from October through December. Anglers cast baitfish and crankbait to reel in night­feeding walleye.

Smallmouth bass anglers are most successful from May through June and August through September. It's no coincidence that the Bass Islands are so­named; the waters surrounding the islands are teeming with bass. The islands remain popular "hot spots" for pulling in these fighters. Smallies are also taken along rocky mainland shorelines, from protected waters around the lake and Sandusky Bay, near the reefs and islands, and from the open water. They haunt docks, piers and breakwalls in both the western and central basins. These lively jumpers can be taken with just about any tackle box bait, but jigs-worked along shallow reef bottoms and rocky areas-offer the best success.

Yellow perch continues to be a popular catch in both the central and western basins, especially in the spring and fall. Shiners are the prime bait choice. This fun­to­catch, tasty fish is the second most sought­after species on the lake.

by Melissa Hathaway

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