How long for muddy water to clear up
This time of year, spring, as long as northern Ohio, particuarly the Maumee River drainage, keeps getting moderate to heavey rains, the Western Basin of Lake Erie won't clear up. Windy days also stir up the nearshore waters along with creating currents that move the muddy water around.
Once the Maumee River gets back down to near "normal" flow, and there hasn't been any windy days, the Lake will start to significantly clear in four to five days. Unfourtunatly with the recent heavy rains in the Lake watershead, there is a lot of muddy water out there, and it will take it quite awhile to significantly clear up.
The quagga and zebra mussesls also have a big impact on Lake Erie water clarity. They filter the water as they feed, which is why the shallower, rocky areas generally clear up first and faster. Since the water is cold in the spring, the mussels metabilisim is slower, so they don't filter as much water in the spring.
Remember the thermocline issue. Just because the surface water is muddy doesn't mean the bottom water is also. Plus the walleye are out there around the reefs no matter what the water clarity, so you can still have good catches in muddy water (think of the river fisherman this time of year). Just adjust your tactics.
Use the Lake Erie Modis satilite imagery to help guide you to the less muddy waters.
West Basin