Erie Trolling Bite Prediction

[BeaverPuddle]

Ok I hate to ask this, but those of you who fish Erie a bunch reach into your crystal ball.

Where and how strong will the trolling bite be one week from today, taking into account the current forecast?

Last year we had a good bite north of Kelly's at this time. Just curious what some of you regulars think.

Thanks

[Boatnut]

Only the fish know :)

[WalleyeWiz11]

North of Kellys will be a good bet in a week as well as the Cans east of the firing range.
The fish are just starting to go at Kellys and the D can area is still full of fish but have been slow the last few days.
Capt`n Dwayne

[Buckeye]

I'd ask the weathermen from the Toledo area to look into their crystal ball (can't be any less accurate than the technology their using...they are only 50% accurate, tops)and if the winds stay down and temps stay up, it could be really good out there. Full moon tomorrow signifies the peak egg drop date. Spawned out girls will be on the prowl soon after.

Let's all pray for calm and warm seas for the next couple weeks. A strong class of '06 would be awesome.

[ETT]

It would be awesome to have a rerun of the 83 & 86 hatches. Let's see 2014....wow I'll be a real fersure "old fart" by then!!! I'd better start treating my sons better, so there's at least a chance of them taking the old man fishin.

To answer the question: the area north of ABC cans to the border and east to the east side of Kellys including the islands could be good. (Huge area). The hunting fish will start out as individuals and become wolf packs that become schools. The fish are roving, and sometimes turning on them is useless. Watch for scum lines indicating converging currents that the walleyes use to their advantage. Once the little males leave the reefs (in a month or so) you'll have to get away from them to have a shot at a larger fish. (The 16"ers are still scared to death of the bigger fish, and don't want to anywhere near them).

[BeaverPuddle]

Thanks guys for the information. We will be on S. Bass the 19th. I know this is only a guess, but if you where to start somewhere from that point where would it be. I was thinking the area of Rattlesnake and over to C can? If this doesn't produce then maybe the area NE of Kellys. Where around S. Bass is good to try? I'm thinking if we do get a blow, especially from the east a guy may still be able to get out if we don't venture too far from the Island. Is there some areas very near the Island that are historically good spots to troll?

On another note. I have read that wave action on the reefs has a huge impact in the spawn, or success there of. Once, the big girls drop there eggs, how long of a period, is having low winds crucial, or is it crucial during the point they are actually dropping eggs? Just curious? Is the wind and wave action a crucial point because of the silt it stirs up or is it something else?

A third question, and I don't want to start a debate, but those of you who fish Erie a lot and target the big fish, trolling cranks, what is you personal policy on keeping big fish. Last year We tried not to keep much over 25 inches or so, but does this matter? I have read and been told different things. What does the DNR say? Does the sport fishing even make much of a difference in the harvest, compared to the commercial fishery? This is only my second trip to Erie, but I want to be informed and do the right thing if we do get into some big fish. Everywhere else, I wouldn't even think of keeping a fish much over 20 inches or so, but Erie is a unique fishery, that's for sure!

[bob oh]

What do you mean you'll be an "old fart" then. You've pretty much joined us. LOL

rod bender bob

[bob oh]

I won't touch your question on keeping big fish with an 8-foot trolling rod, but to say that last year Ohio anglers took 600,000 walleye out of about 40-48 million fish in the lake. The gill netters took more than 4 million. I think you'd have a real hard time keeping enough fish to hurt the system.

rod bender bob

[ETT]

Heck!!! I been calling myself an old fart for 3 years. And I have NOT had 1 person want to argue.

[ETT]

The west side of S. Bass right in tight to the ramp, will give you a place to hide from an east blow. Not a large area and you'll get pretty tired of the nearly continuous turn. But hey.... it's better than warming a bar stool.

[Boatnut]

depends on how long the blow lasts ....bar stool might sound good after an hour or so :)

[GU]

Specific to the harvest question:

http://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/discuss/index.php?topic=112.0

http://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/discuss/index.php?topic=190.0

http://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/discuss/index.php?topic=55.0


Based on current information, what size you keep is biologically insignificant for healthy fish stocks. Based on the last advisory information I read, most adults should limit consumption to 12 meals per yr of erie eyes 23" and larger. 52 meals of any fish. 12 big fish meals and 40 little fish meals. More restrictive for kids and women within their child bearing yrs.

The big erie eye restriction is based on PCB content of Trimmed filets. PCB's can be reduced by removing fatty meat. Takes about 7 yrs for PCB's to pass from your body. Mercury is the basis of the 52 meals/yr for all fish. Mercury takes about a yr to leave your body. It's my understanding the science is supposed to be conservative.