Confusion!

**Valkryie** · 04-28-2026, 11:03 AM

I am a little confused about the walleye this year. I have been following the reports and I can't figure the migration movement this year. Normally the reports start with fish coming to the western basin, then up the rivers for spawn. Next is reef complexes and west of the islands. Finally moving east near put in bay and around Kelly's Island before proceeding east. Seems like this year, the majority of the bite went straight from the rivers to the east side of Kelly's. Did I miss something or have the fish from the rivers and reefs not made it to the west side of the islands yet.

**tomdury** · 04-28-2026, 12:18 PM

I am with ya! havent seen a lot about the reefs, seems like everyone just went right to E side of Kelleys. Maybe the water warmed faster so the reef bite was earlier in the year when not as many people were out? (shrug)

**Squatch** · 04-28-2026, 06:13 PM

I've only fished Erie for the last couple of years, but you might only be hearing people east of Kelly's due to water clearity. With all the windy days, the western basin can get real muddy.

**rexles** · 04-28-2026, 06:28 PM

I suppose the answer has to do with most people catching walleye in the western west basin are not posting here.
I have caught 65 fish this year and have not ventured much east of Wards Canal. Last two previous years I have not caught near this many fish this early and I put my boat in a week later this year because of the weather.
I have seen lots of boats fishing west of the reef complex this year.

**stampman** · 04-29-2026, 01:41 PM

I think all the wind and dirty water might be 1 reason. the last 2 yrs we had very little ice and the west warm up quickly an the fish went east for cooler water . Last July 2025 July was full of east, north east wind for the whole month wasn't fun. Almost like riding the rides at Cedar Point

**itsbob** · 04-29-2026, 08:09 PM

The fish were in the western basin after the spawn.It was just too muddy to catch much after all the high winds we had in March and early April.It was even muddy north of Kelly's.A traditional area to fish when the western basin is too muddy.Had to go east of Kelly's to find water with a couple feet of visibility.Didnt get a good satellite pic for weeks on end too.Now the fish are all the way to Cleveland now.

**Valkryie** · 04-29-2026, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by itsbob

The fish were in the western basin after the spawn.It was just too muddy to catch much after all the high winds we had in March and early April.It was even muddy north of Kelly's.A traditional area to fish when the western basin is too muddy.Had to go east of Kelly's to find water with a couple feet of visibility.Didnt get a good satellite pic for weeks on end too.Now the fish are all the way to Cleveland now.

That's a good point. THX

**Valkryie** · 04-29-2026, 08:21 PM

Alot of good points are made. General concensus seems to be water clarity or lack there of and higher than usual water Temps for this time of year. Thanks all for responses.

**West Basin** · Yesterday, 07:28 AM

Quick synopsis of Lake Erie walleye migrations / populations.

There are multiple populations of walleye in the Lake. A small portion are river spawners, primarily the Maumee and Sandusky rivers. Another population spawns on the main reef complex off Camp Perry. Part of this population also spawns on the other cobble / gravel shoals and reefs around the Islands. A third population spawns along the shoreline from Sandusky to probably as far east as Cleveland. Fisheries biologists are finding out more and more of how these populations move and interact. It's a complicated issue, as a few fish from as far away as (I think) Lake St. Clair and the eastern Basin are river spawners. Same for the Western Basin spawning grounds, some fish come from all around the Lake. Walleye spawning in Maumee Bay has been documented in recent years.

One thing to remember is the Islands / Camp Perry reefs area of the Western Basin is really a relatively small area. Think of how far you can walk in a few hours. A walleye swimming at a slow to moderate pace can swim from the Camp Perry reefs to east of Kelleys Island in half a day. Fish can move a pretty long distance in one day. With all the walleye in the Lake, and the large number in the Western Basin during the spring and early summer, there are going to be walleye all over this area. They will move as conditions change - water temperature, clarity, oxygen level, prey availability and type, etc. It's not like the fish all move from point A to point B in one mass, all at the same time. Schools of fish are constantly moving. It all comes down to the same 'ole thing. First, find some walleye. Then determine if they are actively feeding. Then figure out how to catch them. There are almost always fish around the majority of the traditions areas. It's just a matter of how many on any given day, and if they are actively feeding. Patterns may change years to year as Lake conditions are different each year. Water levels, weather, currents, prey fish, etc. are never exactly the same year to year.

**Water Dog** · Yesterday, 01:11 PM

ok, I have had the best catch this year ever in
April, check my posts, yes the water is stained, but see my posts,
I have had the best eyes this year and my Lucky Charm loves it! (Wife)
Seems like a spreader with a shiner is a good go to, and jig with a shiner stinger also.

see my posts, not far from shore

AS Aways wear that life jacket and be safe,

Water Dog