By Brian Ruzzo

The 2003-04 hunting season may be over, but Ohio sportsmen shouldn't plan on any downtime. As winter is ushered away by icy winds, the 2004 fishing season is set to kick off. If you're looking for a place to start the open-water season, consider going after Lake Erie's walleyes this month.

According to Jeff Tyson, an Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries biologist, the outlook for walleyes is promising this spring. The 2001 year-class, which was relatively large, should be 15 to 17 inches in length by now. Additionally, the strong 1999 class will fuel the fishery with a large complement of fish measuring 18 to 22 inches; trophy fish will be well represented as well.

"We still have good numbers of 1996 fish. Those are the bigger walleyes," Tyson said. "They should run 22 to 24 inches this spring."

Here's a closer look at the state's walleye fishery and several spring- time hotspots, including Lake Erie and several of its tributaries.

The declining recruitment of walleyes can be attributed to several factors, but the more prominent contributors include the zebra mussel problem, challenged habitat in degraded nursery areas and environmentally weakened rivers.

Photo by Ron Sinfelt

"A lot of the energy from phytoplankton that used to go into baitfish production is now used by the zebra mussels," said Tyson. "That means fewer baitfish, which also means less forage for young walleyes."

Habitat degradation in nursery regions also negatively affects recruitment. The reefs that are the chief spawning substrate are in shape, but once the walleyes hatch, they head for shallow inshore waters. Historically, Lake Erie featured gently sloping shoreline with vegetation, which provided not only cover but also food for newly hatched walleyes. Today, many of those long-recognized nursery regions are now lined with artificial rocky shores.

Worsened river habitat results directly from development, especially that involving dams. Dams halt the spawning runs of river walleyes, thus limiting their options. The dams also generally affect natural river flows and spawning zones.

Fortunately, biologists are actively involved in several initiatives designed to address some of these problems. For example: Sediment from Maumee Bay dredging operations is being considered for use in creating better nursery habitat for walleyes.

Fisheries experts are also examining the feasibility of dam removal on several Lake Erie tributaries. In the past it was believed that the Lake Erie walleye population was largely produced by reef spawners, but biologists are taking a second look at the importance of river-bred stocks. It's now thought that during windy years, when many reef eggs are washed away, the river spawners play a more important role in bolstering spawning success.

Biologists also recently analyzed a regulations package that will reduce spring (March and April) bag limits from four walleyes to three. The package also includes a size limit, which was not imposed previously, of 15 inches. (By the time you read this story, this regulation should be approved and in effect. It's highly recommended that anglers obtain the 2004 edition of the Ohio Fishing Regulations pamphlet to review the new regulations. Check your local sporting good store or call 1-800-WILDLIFE to request a copy.)

"The intention of this regulations package is to reduce Ohio's walleye harvest by about 10 percent," Tyson noted, "because the Lake Erie Committee announced that there needs to be a 40 to 60 percent reduction in the total allowable catch for 2004."

But why do Ohio's recreational anglers have to reduce their harvest by only 10 percent if the committee is looking for a 60 percent reduction? Because - according to Tyson -Buckeye State anglers aren't currently taking all the fish that they could legally have, instead harvesting approximately 70 percent of the total allowable catch. A small reduction in this harvest should get Ohio closer to its new overall goal.

Tyson says that the primary western basin spawning region is the Impact Area northeast of the Toussaint River mouth, a region comprising eleven different reefs. The deepest water surrounds Niagara Reef; a line of 24 feet of water skirts its northern and eastern sides.

A line of reefs - Crane, Big Pickerel, Cone, Little Pickerel, Flat Rock, Crib, and Round - lies just inside Niagara Reef. The northern and eastern edges of this line are bordered by 18 feet of water.

Turtle, Locust Point and Toussaint reefs lie closest to shore. Bordered by 6 to 12 feet of water, these reefs should be promising targets early in the month, especially after a few sunny afternoons. The shallower water will warm quickly, attracting early-season walleyes.

The action should pick up at the end of the month, as the peak spawning period on the reefs usually falls during the third week of April. However, the walleyes will still be in a pre-spawn mode, so Tyson recommends vertical-jigging with twistertail grubs tipped with shiners or with blade baits. Some anglers even employ ice-fishing tactics during the pre-spawn cold and jig spoons tipped with shiners or minnows.

"I use 6-pound-test line," Tyson offered, "because it's a very light bite. I have a trolling motor on the front of my boat, and I like to hold my position, or move into the wind and cast into the wind."

As walleyes aren't slamming the bait at this time of year, Tyson believes that the tactic of casting into the wind, which puts less slack in his line, enables him to detect the slightest of bites and thus provides him with a distinct advantage early in the season.

Boat anglers looking to fish the Impact Area can select from plenty of launch sites. At the mouth of the Toussaint River, anglers can launch from four sites, including Flora's Marina, Toussaint River Marina, Beef Creek Marina or Brown's Marina. All four sites are northeast of state Route 2.

There are several more launch sites west of the Toussaint River mouth, including Inland Marina, Fenwick Marina, Turtle Creek Marina, Lamberjack's Marina and Wild Wings. All of these sites are north of state Route 2.

Shore-anglers can also get in on the action, Tyson reports. During March, when the warm sun drives fish into shallow water, anglers can sometimes catch walleyes from either the Turtle Creek fishing access site on North Humphrey Road, off state Route 2, or Wards Canal at Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area.

Metzger can be reached by following state Route 2 to Bono Road. Turtle Point Marina and Flora's Marina both have shoreline fishing piers.

Anglers planning to explore Lake Erie are advised to contact any of the Ohio Division of Wildlife offices to obtain the free Lake Erie Fishing Guide. This booklet is loaded with useful fishing information along with maps showing launches and shoreline access sites.

Anglers may also obtain specific fishing information from the Sandusky Fisheries and Enforcement Units office of the ODOW; its mailing address is: 305 East Shoreline Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870. Or call (419) 625-8062.