By Mark Cahlik

In a reversal of form, billions of mayflies hatching around Lake Erie’s Western Basin has translated into more walleye being caught!

The big mayfly hatches have always made for a tougher bite, since the walleye were filling up on them and slowed their urge to chase a lure. Now though, the walleye fishing is fabulous.

The bites that were happening west of the Lake Erie Islands seemed to slow down some, but the dumping grounds at Cedar Point produced walleye for both trollers and casters. Also, northwest of Gull Reef in 30 to 35 feet of water and Scott Point Shoal have been hotspots.

I had the pleasure of taking the editor of The Beacon, D’Arcy Egan, out for some walleye fishing along with a few other friends and we nailed them. We didn’t have to go out very far to get our limits. A very short distance from our West Harbor docks was as far as we went out, and that spot provided numerous keepers.

Anglers choosing to cast have continued to use 1-ounce Weapons spinner rigs with one-half of a nightcrawler and No. 4 Colorado blades that are either gold or colored have been the hot pick. When using these small spinner rigs, you will want to use a 10 to 15 count. As I mentioned above, the Cedar Point dumping grounds has been on fire for nice catches of walleye.

Trollers have been producing limits on an almost daily basis lately. Using Tru-Trips diving planers set at 25 to 60 feet back and Silver Streak and Stinger spoons has been the best tactic.

The catfish remain a strong, consistant bite. Whether you are sitting on the banks of Sandusky Bay or out in a boat, the chances of hooking into some catfish are pretty good. Raw shrimp or nightcrawlers remain the bait of choice and it has not mattered if you were fishing at night or during the day. Some that have been out catfishing have also been using the manufactured catfish baits.

The yellow perch bite has not yet begun to be as consistent as the walleye or catfish but we have been seeing a few coolers coming in to the fish shop. Crappie and bluegill are still being caught as well, but as with the yellow perch, they are not as consistent as the other species.

As I close the article this week, I would like to remind everyone that when out on the lake, be cautious of other boaters, be safe and enjoy yourselves. So until next week, keep a tight line!