A great migration is expected to occur in 2019 as anglers from everywhere converge on Lake Erie in the wake of last year’s spectacular walleye summer.
The natural result of several outstanding years of walleye propagation, the ’eyes dominated the lake from the shallow spawning waters of Toledo to the Pennsylvania Channel off Presque Isle, to the New York mudflats and north to the deep escarpment off Long Point, Ontario. Last year’s throwaways will be keepers in 2019, 20-inchers will be trophies and some indicators suggest that this year’s walleye density could surpass that of last year, which was three times the 10-year population average.
Researchers continue to gather data on the differences among near-shore resident walleye and the mass lake-wide movement of millions of fish following prey and water temperature. The advantage goes to anglers who understand the behaviors of this dull-eyed ancient species.
Dylan Nussbaum, the 21-year-old prodigy of the walleye tournament circuit, will share tips at several seminars next weekend at the Allegheny Outdoor, Sport and Travel expo at Monroeville Convention Center at Monroeville Mall. His talks start at 1 and 6 p.m. Feb. 16 and 1 and 3 p.m. Feb. 17.
The native of St. Marys in Elk County is the youngest angler to win the Cabela’s National Walleye Tour Championship. In September, he used a single tactic to take 26 walleye at Lake Mille Lacs in Minnesota for a winning catch of 67 pounds, 15 ounces. Mr. Nussbaum threw a Rapala flat jig near isolated boulders with grass. By midday he had boated more than 55 pounds of walleye.
His interest in the fish grew during camping trips to the Allegheny River at Kinzua Dam in Warren County.
“We used to catch walleye and bass,” he said in a phone interview two weeks after his 21st birthday. “One of the things that struck me was walleye — it’s just a different kind of fish. I wanted to see how it works. To do that we started fishing the circuits.”
The competitive fishing bug was passed down from his dad and frequent fishing buddy, Jesse Nussbaum. The younger Nussbaum attended welding school, but when he started winning tournaments he quit and went semi-pro, continuing to freelance between contests.
On the road, he found similarities in walleye behaviors in Northern states, and caught fish using techniques he had honed in Pennsylvania. Many walleye tournaments, he said, are held on impoundments with features similar to waterways within driving distance of Pittsburgh.
“We’re looking for [submerged] roadbeds and bridge abutments and rock piles on manmade lakes. It seems that the walleye love it,” said Mr. Nussbaum. “They get right up against them .… In springtime, usually when it’s a little warmer, fish lay up there.”
In the fall bass and walleye behaviors are similar, he said. When the walleye move into positions previously held by the bass, he often has to “play around with it” to distinguish the predominant walleye locations.
While motoring over structure, he relies on the boat’s electronics to distinguish between big and little fish. He doesn’t set down on an area unless he knows he’s over lunker walleye.
“In the summer, I usually go to the spinner approach with [planer] boards, bottom-bouncing trolling lures with lead core line,” he said.
On Lake Erie it’s hard to go wrong trolling with an inline spinner or crawler harness.
“I wouldn’t say any one thing is the most effective. I go out with four or five different techniques every day,” said Mr. Nussbaum. “One day they may want crawler harnesses, the next crankbaits. You keep trying to find something that works better and adjusting the depth. Currents and wind might affect lure depths. You keep changing up until you’re getting hits.”
Walleye grow quickly in Lake Erie. Although he has concerns about long-term baitfish availability during the walleye explosion, Mr. Nussbaum said anglers should expect big schools of shad and smelt in 2019. The best way to catch Erie walleye in the 7- to 10-pound range is to target them.
“It’s tough to do, to go through a lot of walleye to get to the bigger ones. It’s hard to stay on the big fish in Lake Erie because they move miles every day,” he said. “Usually the biggest thing is finding smelt among all the smaller fish in the system. Find the best smelt [schools] and the bigger walleye will probably be there.”
Get the full seminar schedule and details about the Allegheny Outdoor, Sport and Travel Show at sportandtravel.com and 216-529-1300.
John Hayes: jhayes@post-gazette.com.
First Published: February 7, 2019, 6:45 p.m.
