April 12, 2018

Lake Erie
Surface water temperatures were 39 to 40 degrees, and walleye fishing was hit-or-miss. The southern half of the lake was producing more fish, including some limits.  Some were trolling in 14 to 16 feet around Luna Pier and Turtle Island. In Brest Bay, fish were hitting stick baits throughout the water column in 15 to 17 feet. Most were fishing 25 to 30 feet back from the board with Bandits, Reef Runners and Husky Jerks. Good colors were purple, pink, gold and black or black and white. Catch rates were better in the stained water. A few white bass, smallmouth bass and even a couple steelhead were caught when trolling. A few boats did well when jigging around Turtle Island with a purple hair jig tipped with a minnow.   

Michigan DNR

April 26, 2018

Lake Erie:  Walleye fishing picked up but it was still hit-or-miss.  The lake has settled down but the water is still stained.  Those jigging for walleye found fish around the Dumping Grounds on the south end, around the reefs and Turtle Island in 11 to 14 feet with green blade baits or a purple jig tipped with a minnow.  Fish were also taken by those jigging off the River Raisin in 11 to 15 feet with black and white hair jigs tipped with minnows or black and purple jigs.  A few boats had success when trolling Bandits in 15 feet out of Bolles Harbor, 16 to 19 feet off Stony Point or 14 to 18 feet in Brest Bay.  A lot of fish were suspended in the water column so some anglers did better running their baits 20 feet back from the boards. 

Michigan DNR