The walleye population is distributed by age, in a fashion similar to walleye distribution anywhere else in Lake Erie. There are a very strong 2003 year-class and good year-classes in '05 and in '01.

There's also a moderate year-class from 1996 that will be providing some trophy walleyes this summer.

SUMMERTIME WALLEYE FISHING TACTICS
Tactics for summertime walleye fishing on Lake Erie usually involve trolling. Various methods are used, including flatlining, planer boards, downrigging and snap weights.

Perhaps most effective of all is trolling with Dipsy Divers and similar devices.

The most popular lures go through cycles. Several years ago, before the lake became clearer, stick baits were very popular. In the western basin, many walleye anglers drifted while casting weight-forward spinners.

Then as the water cleared up, spoons gained in popularity. When clarity reached its peak, night-crawler harnesses became the most productive for midsummer trolling.

Boaters launch out of Ashtabula and Conneaut in Ohio, and from the Walnut Creek Access in Pennsylvania. The really serious fishermen carry fishing licenses for both states.

That has changed somewhat -- due most likely to an improved walleye population. Serious walleye trollers are now using all three types of lures, including stick baits, spoons and night-crawler harnesses.

Capt. Pete Alex, a very successful guide working out of Erie, uses mostly spoons.

"At certain times, starting about the end of June to the end of September, I run some plugs," he said. "But I run 80 percent spoons."

His reasoning is simple, starting with personal preference. Also, he likes the advantages of color variations that spoons provide.

Night crawlers can be a bother. "You have to go to the bait shop to get them," he said, "and you've got to maintain them.

"Another problem is that night crawlers attract a lot of junk fish."

Among the hot colors over the past two or three summers have been watermelon, blueberry muffin and monkey puke. This includes color patterns for both spoons and harness spinner blades.

For Lake Erie fishing information in Pennsylvania, contact VisitErie, 208 East Bayfront Parkway, Suite 103, Erie, PA 16507. You can also log onto www.Visit Erie.com, or call 1-800-524-3743.

In Ohio, travel information is available through the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism, P.O. Box 1001, Columbus, OH 43216-1001. Or telephone 1-800-BUCKEYE.

In Ohio, phone 1-888-HOOK-FISH to reach the Ohio Division of Wildlife's fishing hotline.