In the ‘70s and ‘80s, the biggest growth in walleye fishing occurred as walleyes were stocked into reservoirs, greatly expanding their range. Non-native species introduced into conducive environments often grow big—and they did. State records tumbled on waters where walleyes hadn’t existed ten years prior.

In the last 15 years, however, a similar yet familiar phenomenon has occurred on the Great Lakes. Similar because clearing water due to the filtration of zebra mussels, reduced pollution, less gill netting, and restocking in traditional fisheries has triggered a boom in walleye growth and population. The new environment—actually a sudden improvement in the old one—created boom-like conditions suitable to fantastic walleye growth, similar to those created in a new reservoir or by introducing a non-native species into a favorable environmental niche.

Yet, in this instance, it’s also a familiar scenario, because unlike many reservoirs, walleyes once were native to most Great Lakes areas, although the populations had by midcentury fallen on hard times. Memorable might be a better word, recalling those glorious days of yesteryear when big walleyes prowled coastal waters of Great Lakes harbors and river mouths.

The biggest difference is that today, the fishery is better that at any time in history, with larger populations of bigger fish. State records are definitely in jeopardy, as indicated by a recent succession of new Ohio records from Lake Erie, perhaps the greatest walleye fishery on earth. Even the venerable world record may soon be breached as fish grow to mammoth proportions.

The Great Escapade

Most walleye populations in the Great Lakes originate in rocky rivers flowing into the big water. Annual spring runs draw fish from many miles to swim upstream and spawn on current-swept rock. Anglers intercepting the run cast big crankbaits from shore at night, or jig deep river holes from a boat during the day. Once spawning is complete, most of the larger fish swiftly drift downstream and begin schooling outside the river mouth, suspending and roaming the open basin in relatively shallow water (less than 50 feet). Schools continue forming, following local baitfish opportunities. Once the water becomes too warm or the food supply dwindles, however, the fish move.

In some areas, such as along the Ohio shoreline of Lake Erie, significant numbers of fish also spawn on shallow inshore reefs, where they’re caught on traditional jigs, bladebaits, and jigging spoons. In most cases, however, natural populations are sustained by river spawners. Where spawning is limited or unsuccessful, populations are supported by stocking.

Once walleyes conclude spawning and reenter the main lake, they predominantly live a suspended lifestyle. Schools of fish make infrequent contact with structural elements like points and humps, and can be caught there, chiefly during periods of low light or at night. They even can be caught from shore at night, especially in spring and fall. But with the clearing water common in most Great Lakes areas, offshore suspension is common.

In many cases, Great Lakes walleyes don’t go deep. Anglers trolling the Lake Michigan shoreline of southern Michigan are learning to catch walleyes by trolling planer boards with either crankbaits or spoons in less than 40 feet of water—and sometimes right up along shore. In cool Lake Superior near Duluth, walleyes frequently are caught within 25 feet of the surface; the fish remain within the warmer surface layer over cold, deep water. Here, surface-riding steelhead tactics excel.

On the average, most suspended Great Lakes walleyes are probably caught within 40 to 50 feet of the surface. Multiline planer-board tactics incorporating snap weights with crankbaits, big-bladed spinner-crawler harnesses, or spoons swiftly eliminate unproductive areas and determine productive combinations of depth, speed, lure style, action, and color pattern. Scout open water with electronics to detect the presence of suspended baitfish and larger walleyes below. Troll downwind through prospective schools to trigger bites. Mark hot spots on your GPS and circle back for another pass. Just don’t expect the fish to be in exactly the same spot tomorrow, because they likely will have moved miles under the whims of wind and weather.

In the warmer, deeper waters of central and eastern Lake Erie, walleyes may drop into the 70- to 100-foot levels in summer, requiring an adjustment in tactics. Trolling diving planers on heavy 20- to 30-pound line, and using shallow-running crankbaits, spinner harnesses, or spoons, reaches down to about 60 or 70 feet, especially on wire line.

For deeper water, however, downriggers become a must. The same lure combos can easily be fished down to 100 feet or more. Pressure changes when fish are brought up from these depths, however, tend to make a caught walleye not a candidate for release. Harvest a few, but don’t kill more than your share.

Seasonal Movement

Regardless of area, Great Lakes walleyes appear to be movers. They tend to migrate long distances throughout a fishing season, following schools of large baitfish; hundreds of miles isn’t unusual. Fish from the western basin of Erie, for example, regularly migrate into the central and eastern basins. Many also move north through the Detroit and St. Clair rivers and intervening Lake St. Clair, into the Lake Huron waters of Saginaw Bay. Even so-called resident fish of a large, fairly shallow area like Saginaw Bay move north to deeper, cooler water outside the bay mouth in summer.

So locating and staying on the peak of moving populations becomes essential. Word of mouth, fishing reports, marine band radio chatter, and grandpa’s trusty binoculars help determine general areas of recent activity. Once you’re close, begin searching, sorting, and sifting through presentations to fine-tune your approach to daily or hourly fish activity.

Perhaps these fish were suspended out there a hundred years ago, simply undiscovered? Likely not—at least not in similar numbers and size. Recent improvements in boat design, an expanding wealth of high-tech trolling apparatus, the advent of GPS navigation, and numerous other factors have come together in a cavalcade of big-water pursuit techniques. We now have the tools to chase fish in the vast open spaces like never before, and to return home safely.

Inshore, Onshore, From Shore

While classic Great Lakes walleye fishing today incorporates farflung offshore adventures, fish don’t live their entire lives out in the great beyond. As the water cools in fall, with bays, harbors and river mouths reaching favorable temperatures, suspended baitfish like shad, smelt, ciscoes, alewives, and shiners begin migrating to shallower inshore waters, within reach of anglers in smaller boats. Weather permitting, you can seasonally apply similar big-water tactics just a few miles outside a river mouth, within the confines of a relatively wind-protected bay, or around islands within quick retreat distance of shore, should the weather turn ugly.

The same inshore movement also draws walleyes up many rivers in fall, leading to productive river fisheries and shorecasting opportunities at night. During the day, use the same boat control tactics and jigging techniques you’d apply on a river anywhere else. Just expect more and bigger fish—often much bigger, with 10 pounds and over not uncommon. In a powerful current like the Detroit or St. Clair rivers, you may need to adjust tactics to a handline and heavy weights to ply the bottom with multiple crankbaits, but the principle’s the same. Fish current breaks, eddies, and holes for big walleyes in rivers.

In late fall, night fishing can be incredible, with some of the best fishing right from shore, or more correctly, from piers, jetties, breakwalls, and other manmade walkways extending into the river or harbor mouth, or along the river’s edge. As fish move in and out of these areas, cast a large minnow-imitating crankbait into the darkness, reel in slowly, and hang on. Strikes are big and sometimes back to back.

Or, if you prefer, ply rivers, harbors, and connected smaller lakes via a boat. Longline troll crankbaits along breakwalls, over weed tops, and across submerged manmade structures, depending on what’s available.

In some areas of the Great Lakes, small lakes are formed just inside river mouths. Or fair-sized inland lakes are connected to the river, with walleyes passing through them during seasonal migrations to spawn or to follow baitfish. When big walleyes enter these systems, they react like walleyes in inland lakes; they use points, humps, weedlines, and other structures, and can be caught on livebait rigs, jigs, crankbaits, and other time-honored walleye techniques. Just be aware that the fish are big and have been roaming and suspending in deep clear water during much of the year. If a connected lake also offers that option, explore the basin, at least during the day. As the sun sets, move shallow again to pursue walleyes relating to classic structure.

Something for Everyone

Granted, much of the open-water season, it takes time, commitment, expertise and a financial investment to pursue Great lakes walleyes in big water. But that doesn’t make catching them strictly a rich man’s sport. They also move inshore seasonally, chiefly spring and fall, often moving into rivers and connected lakes where they’re accessible from a small boat, and at times, even from shore. Where safe-ice forms, monsters also are taken through the ice. In fact, all tolled, these walleyes offer the biggest opportunity for the most people to catch the biggest walleyes in North America, because millions of people all around the Great Lakes live within casting distance of giant ‘eyes. You may need to tough out some nasty weather at times, or perhaps lose a little sleep, but it’s worth it. Grrrrrrrrrreat, in fact.