by: Samuel T. Forbes 

Ask any avid angler where they would go for hot walleye action and more than likely you'll here about Leech, Mille Lacs, Sakakawea, and other lakes throughout the midwest.  This region has always been considered the forefront of walleye fishing.

 Well, although it may seem about as odd as a milk bucket under a bull, I am here to tell you that some of the finest walleye fishing anywhere can be found in the east.  Yes, you heard me right, the east!    Although overlooked for years, old marble eyes is gaining notoriety and becoming the fish of choice for many anglers all across Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, and other states along the coast.   

 For a closer look at eastern walleyes,  I talked to local professional angler Keith Eshbaugh.  Keith has been a touring pro with the NAWA for four years and has been fishing walleyes in the east for most of his life.  He also runs a guide service all over Pa. Md. and Ny.

One of the first things I asked was why it has taken so long for this great walleye fishery to be noticed.  The best answer, is that this has always been considered a bass area and people are raised from a long line of bass anglers never even considering the walleyes.  Another reason is that the walleyes are often elusive and can be difficult to catch without doing a little research first causing some anglers to think that they just aren't here. 

 Despite this,  interest is growing rapidly due to several factors.  The NAWA has held a team tournament at the Allegheny Reservoir in Pennsylvania for the last two years and the event drew over 130 boats both years.  Also, the USFA (united States Fishing Association) now has a circuit that holds six tournaments per year in several states in the east.   The internet is another source aiding anglers with information and helping to reveal this untapped resource.  You should definitely check out Walleye Central's web site.  It can be very valuable when venturing into new waters.

 To help get anglers started in the right direction, I asked Keith to select some lakes that can deliver some prime walleye action and then give a brief description of some of the tactics used to catch them. 

 The first eastern lake of choice is Mosquito Lake in Mecca, Ohio.  This lake can deliver a consistent bite with many fish over 20 inches.  The action can be great in early summer with trolling being one of your best bets to find and catch fish.  Try using a Bait Rigs crawler harness behind a bottom bouncer.  Blade colors vary but orange, green, copper, or blue are a good place to start.  Blade sizes 2 to 4 in colorado or indiana usually work well and the bottom bouncer keeps the crawler just off the bottom right in the walleyes face. 

Use your sonar to locate stump beds throughout the lake as these almost always produce.  Troll Reef Runner "Little Rippers" just over stumps using Offshore Tackle snap weights to get the lure at the desired depth.  The book Precision Trolling, has all the information needed to make controlled depth fishing a breeze.  A good place for trolling suspended fish is out from "red barn" in about 15' to 20'. 

 Our next destination is Chataqua Lake in Chataqua, New York.  This lake is full of weeds that offer refuge to some big fish.  Bass fisherman catch lots of walleyes in the 6-8 pound range pitching jigs into the thick weeds.  Anchor or drift along the edge of the weed beds and use 1/16th or 1/8th oz. jigs in orange, chart., or green.  Tipping the jig with a piece of crawler or a minnow can be very affective.  The fish also have tunnels through the weeds so if you can find an opening try dropping your bait in there.  This works well but you must be quiet and use a long rod to avoid spooking fish. 

 Deep Creek Lake in Maryland is another real honey hole that doesn't get the attention it deserves.  Some of the best bites of the year take place in the spring.  Anchor a good casting distance away from shore and then cast light jigs up onto the edge of the bank and then drop them into the water.  The strike will usually come within the first few feet of shore.  Pitch jigs all along wind blown shorelines and points with "Turkey neck" and "Beckman's" being especially productive.  Later in the summer, trolling spinners (crawler harnesses) in the 15' to 25' range is a good way to locate fish. Once you find a school, slow down and either Lindy Rig or jig for the more reluctant biters.

 Pennsylvania definitely has its share of walleye waters too, with lakes like Wallenpaupack, Pymatuning, Shenango Res., and Beltzville just to name a few.  The Allegheny Reservoir, in the western part of the state, has produced the state record walleyes for both New York and Pennsylvania.  One lake that Keith recommended in particular was the Youghiogheny Reservoir just north of the Maryland border.  In the spring, throwing jigs to fallen timber is a sure fire way to get things started.  It is a pretty exciting way to catch walleyes and never gets boring.  Just look for visible logs along the shoreline and give it a try.  Don't waist a lot of time on any one location.  Work an area for a few minutes then move on to the next spot.  Many times, you can have your limit in no time at all.  Later in the year, trolling spinners is once again a good option.  Bottom bouncers excel here as the bottom is incredibly snag infested.  A 2 oz. bouncer with a short 18" to 24" spinner works well.  If you get much longer than that, you'll be breaking them off like most folks eat peanuts, one right after another.  Trolling crankbaits also excels with the wide erratic action of the Storm Hot-n-Tot being a good first choice.  As the saying goes, 10% of the water holds 90% of the fish so keep moving and eventually you'll run across the right school of fish. 

 The Susquehanna river is the last pick and my own personal choice.  It runs along the eastern coast of Pennsylvania almost the length of the entire state.  As I have been fishing this river all my life, I can say with confidence that it holds BIG walleyes that are readily available to the patient angler.  The water gets quite low during the summer so the best time is definitely in the spring.  This time of year can be a little intimidating and cause some anglers to stay home despite the opportunity for a real trophy.  Generally during this time of year, the water is in flood stage and so muddy you could practically plant potatoes in it.  Despite this, it is actually pretty easy to fish.  The current is so swift that the fish are forced into eddies, flooded timber, and any kind of pocket that can offer some refuge from the raging torrent.  Slowly make your way along the shoreline watching carefully for any visible signs of a current break.  Once you have located a good spot,  use your electric motor. 

Walleyes can be pretty spooky trapped in these small back waters so the electric motor enables you to move around without sending the fish into the next zip code.  I like the MotorGuide Laser 2 bow mount as you can achieve 52 pounds of thrust with only a single 12 volt battery.  Also, the shafts are made of steel which is a big plus as this river is loaded with boulders and underwater logs.  Work your way to the head of the hole and try to anchor your boat so that you can cast right to the edge of the fast water and let your bait wash down around into the hole.  I strongly recommend jigs with a 3" Berkley Power Grub tipped with a live minnow.  This can be deadly if you have a little patience and keep working the spots thoroughly.  Rapala Husky Jerks  also produce during these high water conditions.  Make long casts and pause the lure, sometimes for several seconds.  This causes the bait to suspend right in front of the fish's face and it drives them wild.  Since the water is usually quite cold, the key to your presentation is slow. 

 When visiting any new body of water, remember to take a few steps to further your chances of a successful trip.  Purchase a map if there is one available for your selected designation.  Study it and mark a few places you want to try first.  Next, talk to the people in the local bait shop as they should be able to point you in the right direction.  It usually helps to buy something!  A good gps and sonar unit are your best friend in the boat on any body of water so be prepared.  Lowrance Electronics have been around for a long time and are both reliable and state of the art.  They have a wide range of models to suit anyone's needs.

 So c'mon, grab a buddy, and start planning your trip. Eastern walleyes are both big and bountiful and waiting for you. 

 Keith Eshbaugh runs a guide service all over the east and can introduce you to any of the lakes mentioned above plus a lot more.  For information call 724-229-3348