​Shore Fishing for Lake Erie Walleye

Catching a walleye from shore is possible in various locations along the shoreline, but some areas are better than others. Key factors include bait and depth. Walleyes near the shore are typically there for one main reason: food. If there's abundant bait in an area, walleyes won't be far behind. Bait can come and go, so if you catch fish in a flat, contourless area, they were likely only there due to the bait's presence and may not stick around long if the bait leaves.

Access to deep water close to shore is usually a good spot. Many piers, seawalls, and rock jetties along Lake Erie’s Ohio shoreline offer deeper water access and are excellent places to consider. A rock jetty or pier at the mouth of a river is probably the best place to shore fish for walleyes on Lake Erie. These areas provide deep water access, good contour, current, and almost always have baitfish close by—all the ingredients needed to attract a trophy-class walleye. Be cautious when fishing these environments, especially when air temps dip below freezing, as ice can form over the rocks or ground, making it dangerous.

Once you’re around some big walleyes, you’ll need the right gear and baits to get them in the net. My all-time favorite bait for shore-casting walleyes is a Rapala Husky Jerk. This bait, with its slow wide wobble, is extremely enticing for cold water fish. The shallow model in sizes 12 and 14 is ideal, with colors like Clown, Glass Clown, Silver Blue, and Tennessee Shad rarely failing to produce. Throwing the shallow variety is key, as these fish are suspended and always looking up to feed. A slow, steady retrieve typically works best in cold water. Swap the trebles with size 2 or 4 Gamakatsu 2X Strong Trebles for a better hookset.

In dirty water, go loud and aggressive with a ½ oz Rapala Rippin Rap in Gold Chrome. Work this bait erratically with some pops and stop-and-go in the retrieve. In calm, clear conditions, a Keitech Fat Swing Impact swimbait is a walleye slayer. For fall, use a 4.8” in Electric Shad, Gold Flash Minnow, Sun Gill, or Silver Flash. In spring, downsize to a 3.3” or 3.8” as the water gets warmer. Fish these baits on a 3/16oz Gamakatsu Round Jig Head, keeping them suspended 4-6ft beneath the surface.

For tackle, you need a setup capable of making long casts, light enough to keep treble hooks pinned, but heavy enough for decent-size baits. An Okuma Celilo Spinning Rod in the 8’6” Medium Light model paired with a 4000-size Shimano Sienna Spinning Reel is an excellent budget-friendly choice. For a high-quality setup, try the St. Croix Avid Walleye Spinning Rod in an 8’0” Medium Light paired with a 4000-size Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel. Use 15lb Power Pro braided line with a 3-6ft 10lb Gamma Edge fluorocarbon leader for the best results.

Essential gear includes a long-handled landing net like the Beckman Coated Fishing Net with a 6-9ft extendable handle, a hands-free light source like the EZRED Realtree ANYWEAR Alkaline LED Neck Light, a good pair of pliers, and appropriate clothing for cold and wet conditions. Always wear a life vest when fishing around cold water.

Using the right rigs for shore fishing can significantly improve your chances of catching walleye. Here are some effective rigs:

1. Slip Bobber Rig: Ideal for targeting suspended walleyes. Use a slip bobber, a light jig, and live bait like minnows or leeches. Adjust the depth to find where the fish are holding.

2. Carolina Rig: Great for covering ground and fishing deeper water. Use a sliding sinker, a swivel, and a leader with a floating jig head or live bait. This rig allows your bait to move naturally with the current.

3. Lindy Rig: Similar to the Carolina rig but designed for a more subtle presentation. Use a walking sinker, swivel, and a leader with a plain hook or live bait.

4. Bottom Bouncer Rig: Effective for fishing along the bottom. Use a bottom bouncer weight with a spinner rig and live bait. This rig keeps your bait just off the bottom, where walleyes often feed.