Lake Erie walleye lure fishermen from historic hot-spots

The walleye has been one of the top sport fish in the state of Wisconsin for as long as there have been fishermen. Anglers from throughout the Midwest have made regular trips to the Badger State to work its many lakes and waterways in pursuit of walleyes. That fact is what makes a recent observation related to Lake Erie so revealing. On a mid-week trip to South Bass Island State Park to research a story on that picturesque campground, I was shocked to see every space in the parking lot at the boat ramp packed with trucks and boat trailers. Nearly every one of the two dozen rigs had Wisconsin tags. These fishermen -- likely a Wisconsin-based club -- had driven those rigs to Ohio from Wisconsin at considerable expense, paid to have their full-size pickups pulling boat and trailer transported to the island by ferry, and then spent a fair amount of money to stay out on the lake. There's only one possible explanation -- the walleye fishing here must be the best in the world.