By mid-May, spawning has ended and walleye become increasingly active and vulnerable to boat anglers in the Western Basin. By June and July, peak fishing occurs in the Western Basin and begins to pick up in the Central Basin. Boat fisheries peak in the Central Basin in August through September and decline in the Western Basin. In fall, walleye fishing is generally spotty due to abundant prey fish, but can be outstanding at times for both boat and shoreline anglers who can locate schools of fish returning to the Western Basin. By winter, most walleyes are concentrated in the Western Basin and ice fishing can be productive, especially around the Bass Islands.
Anglers use a variety of techniques for Lake Erie walleye.
As the water exceeds 50 degrees Fahrenheit in April and May, walleyes are in transition from spawning to their summer pattern and weight-forward spinners, trolled crankbaits, and jigs ate all effective at slow to moderate presentations. As waters cool in the fall and prey fish are in high abundance, trolled and casted crankbaits along key nearshore areas can be outstanding.