George Noleff11:09 AM, May 26, 20141:07 PM, May 26, 2014
When it comes to walleyes Lake Erie is the best in the world Ohio is home to the best walleye fishing anywhere
CLEVELAND – Memorial Day marks the traditional start of the summer vacation season. For many in northeast Ohio, that means a fishing trip to Lake Erie to catch some walleye. And there’s good reason for that; Lake Erie is the walleye capital of the world.
The walleye season is in full swing now, especially in the areas from Cleveland to Toledo. As the spring and summer progress, the schools of walleye will move east and eventually the fish will be biting everywhere on the lake.
“Lake Erie is the best walleye fishery on the planet!” said Captain Ryan Buddie.
He should know. Buddie is a Lake Erie fishing guide, and one of the top walleye tournament anglers in America.
We went with him on a recent trip out of Lorain. In just a few hours of fishing, seven walleyes were caught, and all weighed seven pounds or more. Those are trophy fish, and the great thing is, they’re available in our own backyard almost all of the time.
“12 months out of the year, if you can be mobile, you can find a walleye bite on Lake Erie,” Buddie says.
It’s a resource the Rocky River native says he loves introducing people to.
“It’s fun to get people interested in this great fishery. To take you and your wife out fishing, your family, or to take charter clients out and give them the best fishing experience of their lives, it’s a great experience, you know.”
Even if you don’t fish, having the finest walleye fishery here has a direct impact on you. Lake Erie’s sport fishing industry provides $1 billion a year to Ohio’s economy. That means jobs and local investment. Much of that industry revolves around the fabulous walleye fishery.
Captain Ryan Buddie provides up-to-date fishing information on his website. He also does charters on Lake Erie.
