GREAT OUTDOORS: Deadlines for walleye derbies approaching

While not intended as a commercial for either event, there are two area walleye derbies that are about to begin. They both provide generous payouts for lucky anglers catching the heaviest walleyes.The compelling reason for featuring these contests here is that most of the effort by anglers seeking the biggest walleyes of the fall will occur within striking distance of Sandusky, with many of the winning entries typically coming from the reefs near Camp Perry to Cleveland.The rules of the derbies, along with the categories, list of sponsors, available prizes, registration forms and other details are available for viewing on their respective website addresses listed below.The Walleye Slam, (http://www.walleyeslam.com), hosted by Erie Outfitters in Sheffield Lake, runs from October 18 to December 1. All fish must be weighed there.First prize is a 2024 Warrior V238 boat with a MSRP of $174,694 and second place is a Toyota Tundra SR5 valued at $52,000, based upon a minimum number of 7,760 entries. Third through 10th places offer cash awards ranging from $20,000 down to $3,000.The Fall Brawl (https://lakeeriefallbrawl.com) goes from October 19 to December 8 and has multiple locations to check in fish to get official weights and measurements recorded.First place will be a Ranger 622 FS Pro boat with a 400 V10 Mercury motor valued at $140,000 and second place is a Ranger 621 FS Pro with a 300 Mercury motor valued around $110,000.Third through 10th place cash awards will be determined based on the number of registered entries over 10,500.From west to east, eight weigh-in locations include Jann's Netcraft in Maumee to East End Angler in Erie, Pennsylvania. See the website for other weigh-in locations.I spoke with Travis Hartman, the Lake Erie Fisheries Program Administrator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, working at their Sandusky Fisheries Research Station. In addition to being Lake Erie's lead fisheries biologist, he has frequently participated in these fall derbies and various other North American walleye tournaments.I asked him for some tips from both a biologist and tournament angler's perspective that he could share for winning strategies.For the best odds of winning, he suggested that anglers concentrate their fishing efforts between Lorain and Cleveland, use large crank baits, target the upper portion of the water column, fish closer to shore and try some night fishing.He said that while most of the trophy walleyes from the mega-hatch of 2003 are now gone, 10-pound fish are emerging from the 2015 class.Female walleyes that have been feeding heavily on the abundant gizzard shad in the Sandusky Sub-basin from the islands to Vermilion and are caught late in the contest will be at their heaviest as their eggs also mature.While more fish are normally present from the islands to Vermilion, a higher percentage of the fish east of Cleveland are usually bigger, with fewer of the younger fish present.He agreed with my speculation that since it only takes one big walleye — and not a best 5-fish livewell total weight to win the prizes — it would be surprising if some of the heaviest fish are not caught by anglers using Front-Facing Sonar.He pointed out that in the biggest national walleye tournaments, this technology has been cited as the technique used by the winners in recent years, including local contests in 2024.Registration for either derby must be completed prior to the first day of the contest.