Nice job Tony and good job putting the females back. I haven’t seen many reports from the Illinois. Has this warmer than normal Spring changed the timing of the run at all? It sure has over here.

Here is a much clearer picture of the 15.9 lb. walleye it measured out at 31-1/8″. Not the biggest to come out of the river but the biggest in 15 yrs. according to the bait shop owner. He caught it on a black and orange Northland jig tipped with a shad colored 4″ Gulp minnow.

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That’s a freak. Nice eye! And I’d like to see a pic of what could be the new state record.

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If it gets certified/qualified it would be a C&R State Record not the regular State Record or whatever you want to title it because it was caught in waters where walleye are out of season right now. He was targeting steelhead when he hooked into it. I found some pictures of it but they are of him holding it vertically not horizontally and it really doesn’t give you a true perspective of it’s size. He is on the same Michigan forums I frequent and he said he is trying to get a hold of some better pictures of it that he says exist. As soon as he does I’ll post one up here.

There’s going to be a write up on it in this months issues of Michigan Woods and Water, and Michigan Outdoor News.

On a side note I just found out a larger walleye was caught a couple weeks ago on the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Mi. on a center pin while floating spawn weighing in at 17.80 lbs. and 34.38″. It was witnessed by a CO and several other people now it’s going thru the steps to get qualified as a new C&R Michigan state record. Michigans current state record is 17lbs.- 3ozs. dating back to 1951.

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Scott

Thanks for posting. If you run across any better pics… be sure to post them. That is an incredible ‘eye.

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James,

I sure will I would like to see a better picture too. I plan on stopping in the bait shop on saturday so I should be able to get more info and at least see a better quality picture. I’m curious how long it measured as well.

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Nice fish, Just curious, is that Bottom Line Bait and Tackle? if so, I’ve been there. Sweet shop!

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Yes it is !

Pretty sure it’s not Erie I live right by her and there’s no talk of a monster walleye being caught, but I’ve been wrong before. Biggest walleye I know of so far this year is 30-1/2″ 13.35 lbs. caught on the upper Detroit River. Also I don’t know many that fish Erie at night she’s an unforgiving body of water that must be respected. With that said what a dandy for sure a fish of a lifetime

Thanks Tony. All the fishermen here (including myself) and the politicians are very worried about them getting here. It would really be another blow to the economy here if they do. Seems like the politicians there could care a less…..pretty sad if you ask me.

The Detroit River walleye fishing here is still in transition water still cold and ice flows still coming down. Should be prime time in a few weeks. I hope to get out in a couple weekends from now, can’t wait I’ve got withdrawals.

I’m also curious how bad the Asian Carp are in that stretch of the river?

Very nice. One of these days I’m gonna have to make a trip back to my home state and fish the Illinois River for sauger. I was born and raised in northern Illinois but always fished north of the border. Never knew about the sauger fishery until recently and haven’t caught one yet so they’re on my target list. What size would a sauger have to be to be considered a trophy?

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The walleye angler series at Bass Pro Shops is a good rod for the money. I believe recently they have a sale running $79. I would also reccomend scheels rods which are St. Croix blanks anyway and have the lifetime warranty.

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I fish the Detroit River and I use the BPS Walleye Angler Series rods both are 5’9″ medium w/fast action tip. A couple yrs. ago they ran for $70 bucks. I like a shorter rod for jiggin nice and compact and get a quick hook set. The other element I like is the weight in the handle to counter the weight of the jig which makes for a perfectly balanced rod helping give more sensitivity. I have the Shimano Sedona 1000FD spooled up with 10lb fireline and a fluoro leader……some tie direct. I usually run a 5/8 oz. jig head 90% of the time unless I’m fishing deep holes then I’ll use 3/4 oz.

I couldn’t be happier with this set up, light and compact. It’s almost go time

I’m from SE Michigan originally from Illinois though…..Go Bears. Yes I enjoy this site too and the shows James and gang put out. I don’t get to fish as much as I would like but make the most of it when I can.