Detroit River Walleye

[ice_667]

Just wondering if anybody here has got any advice for a rookie trying to catch some walley on the river near Trenton and Gibraltar. Had luck jigging early in the year, but seems my luck has run out. A hint or two would certainly be appreciated.<br /><br />ice

 

[NotoriusPIG]

Re: Detroit River Walleye

Walleye move out into the lake during the summer. Get down riggers and planer boards.<br />Go out into Lake Erie and look for the big group of boats that's where the fish are. It takes some experimenting but the key is get your bait as far from the boat as possible Walley spook easily.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Detroit River Walleye

A few years ago I was up on Lake Erie just a few miles north of the Detriot River and had pretty good luck with the Walleyes. We were in 20 ft deep water with a rocky bottom and bounced live night crawlers (on beaded orange leaders with spinners attached) about a foot off the bottom. Nothing fancy, but they managed to entice a few walleye every trip. Best part is, we were just drifting. I had friends who would troll for hours and not get a bite. Maybe its the engine noise that spooks them..?<br /><br />Nav.

 

[NotoriusPIG]

Re: Detroit River Walleye

Boat noise definitely spooks the walleye. thats what planer boards do is take your bait away from the boat. I've seen ariel photographs of charte boats in the middle of a 200,000 strong school of walleye, there was a ring of no fish 20' around the boat. Jigs or crawler harnesses on the bottom accomplish the same thing but you don't cover as much area so it's kind of hit or miss. Down riggers work too but you can't get them all the way down or you'll snag your ball. ( OUCH!!!). A quiet four stroke trolling motor helps too. We usually use bright flashy deep diving crankbaits off of the planer boards and the run a couple of lines off the downriggers too. We will usually come back wit 8-10 walleye with three people in the boat, 75%-80% are off the planer boards. I wasn't in the boat but my brother and is friends limited out with 3 people in 2 1/2 hours drifting with crawler harnesses in Trenton channel in late April.

 

[ice_667]

Re: Detroit River Walleye

Thanks for the tips,<br /><br />Right now I've got an 18' Starcraft with a 1970 60horse evinrude. My question is, will a trolling plate slow me down enough? I would like to get a trolling motor, but being a poor student it's not exactly in the budget.<br /><br />I've got some downriggers, but I hear that most walleye won't trip line off the ball. I'm looking in to finding some planar boards, too.<br /><br />Thanks again,<br />ice

 

[MercilessMike]

Re: Detroit River Walleye

WOW, I used to live in Trenton, Now in St Pete Florida, USed to catch alot in front of the power Plant. Also by Celeron Islnd, Dont know if thats the real name, The island just as river opens up into lake.<br /><br />Hope water is warm enough to swim in Crystal Bay, or Hidden Lake, whatever they call it now1

 

[ice_667]

Re: Detroit River Walleye

Hey Mike,<br /><br />Hate to break it to ya, but Crystal Bay just ain't what it used to be. The OPP are making everyone call in and don't let anyone have fun. It wasn't even half full on father's day and it 85.<br /><br />Been having luck drifting with Erie Deeries lately out by the Harrison St. Launch. I know it sounds weird, but it got me a few walleye.<br /><br />ice

 

[NotoriusPIG]

Re: Detroit River Walleye

We just bought a 15hp four cycle trolling motor for our 20' center console. We were trolling with a 150 hp evinrude with 2, 5 gallon buckets dragging beside the boat. (don't laugh too hard it worked.) Last trip out was sun June 24. We started off the morning with a flat tire on the trailer, no place open to fix it. We finally got the bead to reseat and didn't get on th water until 9:00, usually there by 6:00. We went out to 19' - 24' deep running 4 lines off planer boards. We came home with 19 Walleye and threw back 10-15 Sheephead and about 7 silver bass. Good day! Oh yeah we lost the bearings out of one of the wheels on the trailer on the way home and had to take a half day off work monday to fix it. LoL I told the boss I was a fisherman when he hired me, and yes the boat is more important than the job!!!

 

[MercilessMike]

Re: Detroit River Walleye

Used to hang out at the harrison boat ramp, throw frisbee and skateboard down the hill, OH NO THEY RUNED CRYSTAL BAY!!!!!! Man that was some good times! Used to catch walleye also from shore at grosse ile, ther was a guy on W river that had a boathouse, Used to fish next to that. My dad and brother both live in Trento still, Bro has a 27 wellcraft he takes out to Put-in-Bay, they didnt kill that yet did they ? Does anybody go to White sands or Bob-lo ????null

 

[johndezman]

Re: Detroit River Walleye

the "Bay" (Put In Bay)is still going strong. maybe not quite what it was 20 years ago but then again what is! years ago they started restricting how many rafters there could be in the harbor - limit is 4 - (i've got pictures somewhere that show it totally boat locked)so not quite as crowded. great place to go though!

 

[SeaRay245]

Re: Detroit River Walleye

in the spring and fall we jig for walleyes but the rest of the year we troll off lorain sandbar in lake erie like the one guy said it hasnt been as good as it use to be but we still have been limiting out almost every time out i run downriggers 4 dipsys and planer boards what ive found works the best now are stinger spoons