Photo by Ron Sinfelt.

Most anglers typically think of May as the best time of year to get into Lake Erie’s walleye bite. We all know walleyes throw on the feedbag after a long winter and as they prepare for the spawn. Recent studies indicate that walleye die-hards can have just as much luck in July as they can at any other time of year.

The only difference between summer and spring walleyes is that they aren’t in the shallows spawning and feeding. They’ll still be in schools roaming around looking for food. But now, it’s a matter of find the right location and presenting them the right lure.

Here’s where to find mid-summer walleyes off Lake Erie’s Ohio and Pennsylvania shores:

PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania boasts some of the very best walleye fishing in the Northeast. As the fish migrate from the western shore of Lake Erie and head east, Pennsylvania is in the heart of the mix.

Donald Einhouse, a fisheries biologist with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s Lake Erie Unit, predicts that 2007 will be a productive year.

“The abundant 2003 walleye hatch will be four years old and measure from 18 to 22 inches this summer,” he said.

As the summer wears on, key areas to target are off the shores of Northeast and Erie, Pennsylvania, in the 50- to 60-foot vicinity. As the summer advances, the fish migrate east and tend to move deeper.

Presque Isle State Park offers a launch and facilities near the border of Pennsylvania and New York, as well as a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission launch and marina in Northeast.

“As a solid thermocline develops in the summer, the highest concentration of walleyes is often near the thermocline,” said Einhouse. “By late summer, that can mean water in the 70- to 90-foot range. Offshore and deepwater techniques, especially Dipsy Divers with worm harnesses, and sometimes stick baits, are most commonly used by offshore walleye anglers.”

Once you find fish offshore, mark them on your GPS system. Walleyes will tend to stick to their “comfort zone” for some time, so a return trip will pay off with more fish being boated. Of course, this all depends on the weather and where the thermocline has set up.

Another key tactic is to utilize planer boards. The more lines in the water, the better your odds are going to be. Planers with stick baits and worm harnesses work wonders in the dead of summer.

For more information on Presque Isle State Park, contact the marina office (seasonal) at (814) 833-0176 or (814) 833-8981.

Northeast Marina is at 11950 Lake Road in Northeast, and may be reached at (814) 725-8244. Owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the marina has 220 dock slips, a tackle shop, full marine service, used boat sales, inside and outside winter storage, a gas dock, picnic area and four launch ramps.

For additional information, contact the Erie Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.VisitEriePa.com, or you can phone 1-800-524-3743 or (814) 454-7191.