CLEVELAND, Ohio — Lake Erie’s huge schools of walleye are gorging themselves on gizzard shad right now, including toothy females fattening up for the spring spawning season arriving in March and April on Lake Erie and its tributaries.

Ample proof that full bellies are the order of the day has been the rise in walleye weights, despite slightly shorter fish arriving at walleye derby weigh stations this week.

Jay Gullett of Willard caught a 29.5-inch walleye on Lake Erie on Thursday to lead the Lake Erie Fall Brawl, topping the next four fish in the standings that all measured 31 inches, or a smidge longer. Still leading the Walleye Slam derby is Bradly Wissel with an 11.46-pound, 31.5-inch walleye. Both derbies wrap up on Sunday, Nov. 30.

The pudgy walleye were undoubtedly females full of

See Full Page