Is it a walleye slowdown ?

[West Basin]

You are very limited in where you can go on Erie with that small a boat. Folks with small boats also often don't think of the boat wakes, especially on summer weekends. You are better off to go away from the big "packs" anyway to avoid being bumped around all day. I doubt your son would enjoy that.

If you don't mind the extra cost of the ferry over to Kelleys then take it and launch over at the State Park, north side. Fish the whole north side, from the northwest corner to Gull Island reef to the long point shoal. Much less boat wake. Almost always walleye there, just a matter of finding them and getting them to bite. Or launch from Mazuriks (ODNR) on Marblehead and fish the west side of Kelleys to South Bass (more boat wakes). Lots of spots to try at both. The big "packs" probably won't be either place so you'll have the areas to yourself and less boat wake.

I've often had the same or better luck fishing someplace else other than where the big fleets go, especially if the fishing is slow. You can find active walleye all over the place this time of year, so your chances of finding them with a small boat are as good now as ever. You might find the next hotspot. Also try, if possible, fishing in the evening after most boats are gone. There is an evening bite and you might be the only one who gets it.