Huron is the Spot for Fall Walleyes

by Gary Engberg

October 05, 2001

Here it is fall, that special time of the year when the true sportperson has so many things to do that it's hard to pick which activity to pursue. Bow season is open, and so are the duck, goose, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, fall turkey, and pheasant seasons. There sure is plenty to do for the hunter. But, it is also that unique time of the year when whatever species of fish you choose to pursue is biting and bulking up for the long winter months. Personally, I try to get in as much hunting and fishing as possible and many days will be combinations where I might duck hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, and bow hunt the hour or two before dark. I also am very lucky because I can do these things within a few minutes of my Wisconsin River house. But, the one thing I always leave time for is going to Huron; Ohio on Lake Erie for one of the best if not the best open water walleye bites there is anywhere.

I've been blessed in my lifetime with being able to go to the best places in the United States and Canada to chase walleyes. You name a walleye hot spot and I've been there. Little Bay De Noc, Green Bay, the Mississippi River, Fort Peck, the Missouri River, Saginaw Bay, Mille Lacs, Lake of the Woods, and Lake Erie. These are just a few of the excellent walleye waters I've fished with good success. But, there is one place on Lake Erie, which many others and I consider the best there is in the fall, and that Mecca for the walleye angler is Huron, Ohio.

Huron, Ohio is about 25 miles east of Port Clinton, Ohio (which most of you know) and still part of the Western Basin. Huron is between Marblehead and Vermilion, just a little east of Sandusky Bay. One should know that there are 3 distinct schools of walleyes that roam the waters of Lake Erie. There's the Western Basin fish, the Central Basin fish, and the Eastern Basin walleyes. All of these different schools of fish have certain migratory routes, which they follow year-round. Though these routes of migration may vary a little from year to year they basically follow a set course and the walleyes are at distinct areas at certain times of the year. Charter captains follow these nomads all over the Great Lakes and particularly Lake Erie.

Huron, Ohio is one such spot where the Huron River dumps into Lake Erie. The huge schools of baitfish congregate in this area in the late fall from October till it gets too cold to fish and that can be into December some years. All one has to do is drive into the parking lot and you will see license plates from all over and many of these are from the best walleye fishermen in the country who come here each fall to do their own fishing away from the pressure of big buck tournaments. LaCourse, Takasaki, Brumbaugh, Puccio, DeShano, Horoky, Parsons, and many more of the best there are will be at Huron. Walleye Central has a get-together the second weekend in November, which attracts walleye anglers from all over.

The main technique used this time of the year is open water trolling. You do not have to go that far out into Lake Erie to find the schools of fish. Usually, you have to go only 3 to 6 miles out from the mouth of the Huron River. Good electronics and a GPS system are a must for navigation (in case the fog rolls in). You will be able to mark schools of forage fish and walleyes. I have found the fish to be in smaller pods rather than huge schools like you find off the Bass Islands in the spring. Once you find the fish, I shorten my trolling runs down to a ½ mile or less to stay on active fish. Keep going through these walleyes till they stop hitting.

Long rods are best (I use the 7 foot 10 inch G. Loomis MBR941) because they get your baits away from the boat and have a long handle with a fast tip and are very forgiving with big fish. Line counter reels are a must, so that you know exactly where your baits are running. The Daiwa 27's are perfect and take a lot of abuse without much maintenance. My line of choice is Stren Easy Cast in 10 to 12 lb. test and green in color. Try this line because I've had great success with it on big fish. The only planer board to use is the Off-Shore one and with the new clips they are superb. If you're lucky you might see the Chairman of the Boards at Huron in the man himself, Bruce DeShano. He'll gladly give you a seminar right in the parking lot. Have your boat equipped with rod holders spread out along the boat. Tempress and Scotty make the best holders.

You're almost set now except for the right lures. I have had good success on Reef Runners, Mann's Stretch 15's and 20's, and the occasional Rapala Husky Jerk. My biggest fish have come on the Mann's baits. Good colors are perch, chartreuse, silver-black, black-chrome, rainbow trout, and purple. Colors change regularly, so keep changing them around till you hook up.

Once you're in an area where you see fish start trolling anywhere from 1 to 2 mph. Don't troll in a straight line, but do S turns. If the waves are a couple of feet, I go with the waves. If it's calm I go every way, back and forth on my trolling run. Have a plan so that you are not just trolling aimlessly. You may find walleyes this way, but a plan and pattern is better.

Most of the water is 30 to 40 feet deep and the biting fish are suspended. Buy the Precision Trolling Book which will give you the exact depth each lure will run with X amount of line out at X speed. Be sure to run a line way up in the water column because you never know how high up the walleyes will be. Run lures at all depths till you dial in the active biters. Lead core line and snap weights are also used by some with success.

This is a good primer on the fish of Huron. You can expect to catch fish that average 6 to 7 pounds with double-digit fish possible everyday. The question mark is not whether or not you'll catch fish, but whether the weather allows you to fish. This is big water and at times it can blow for days or at other times it can be calm or only 1 to 2 footers. The fish will be there will you?

The best motel in the area is the Gull Motel right on the river at Huron, Ohio. Call Kathy Barnes at (419) 433-4855 and she can help you. I hope to see you there for the walleye fishing of your life. Bar none!