The heaviest Lake Erie walleye weighed in during Sunday’s Lake Erie Walleye Trail event in Huron was a dandy 10.48-pounder caught by Eric Hoskins of Toledo. (LEWT)

BY MARK CAHLIK

Lake Erie walleye anglers are still battling consistently crazy weather patterns, which has not helpfu in putting lots of walleye in the cooler. Facing cold weather one day and sizzling hot the next, Mother Nature needs to get her together out on the bountiful waters of Lake Erie

Sure, some 10-pounders were caught in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament on Sunday based on the Huron River, but the fish seem to be just as confused as sport anglers and the fleet of Lake Erie fishing guides.

The best bite for the traditional drift-and-cast fishermen seems to be up the middle right now, between the Lake Erie islands and Kelleys Island. Many have had good luck around Middle Island and American Eagle Shoal on the southwest side of Kelleys Island.

Last Friday and Saturday walleye anglers — and myself, as well — did well west of the Lake Erie Islands. The walleye had transitioned from hair jigs to casting harnesses. The best technique was a slower drift along the bottom using crawler harnesses.

Trollers have switched over to Tru-Trip Diving Planers and trolling spoons, including Yeck spoons and Michigan Stinger spoons, with the Yeck spoons out performing the Stinger spoons now. Average trolling speeds have been about 1.8 to 2.1 m.p.h. They have been setting lures back about 40 to 60 back.

The channel catfish in Sandusky Bay right now are on fire. A lot of reports coming in with record sizes being caught right now while shore fishing, on a local catfish charter or on your own boat. The big cats are loving shrimp right now, but still hitting on worms certain times of the day.

The results from the Lake Erie Walleye Trail event based in Huron on Sunday included the big walleye, a 10.48-pounder caught by Eric Hoskins of Toledo. The top three team weights for a five-walleye limit were: 1. Gary and Alex Kisel, 34.48 pounds; 2. Frank Broskey and Don Lint, 34.27 pounds; 3. Josh Lewis and Jeff Hunter, 33.04 pounds.

Have a good week and hope for great weather.