The Season starts early on the Lake's Western Basin. Walleyes are typically found in small, tight schools at this time, so the action can be fast. From late March throughout April the beaches and shallow reefs become action points as large schools of male and post-spawn female Walleye cruise the shallow, sandy bottoms looking for bait fish. Casting or jigging bright-colored minnow-tipped jigs is a favorite method to catch a limit of some of the year's nicest fish. Late April to early May sends Walleye into deeper water where the feed actively to replenish energy used in spawning.

Weight forward lures (3/8 to 3/4 oz.) tipped with nightcrawlers are casted and cranked slow and steadily back to the boat. Lures are used on what is known as the count - down system for fish that may be suspended up from the bottom. June usually offers superb Walleye fishing. The Western Basin's July and August harvests produce the fastest Walleye fishing of the year. The average catch-rate during July and August is more than 30% higher in the Lake's Western Basin than from deeper waters making up the Central Basin. Mid September and October produce large numbers of "Hog Walleyes" in Erie's deep-water areas. School of swarming bait fish get the "Eyes" more active as water temperatures decline.