walleye fishing

[c383ed]

i want to try and target some walleye and heard there was a population in struble. Just wondering if thats true never fished there if not does anybody know were i could get into them within 45 min of Lancaster
thanks
c383ed

[jignslabs]

You'll probably find better walleye fishing at places on the Susquehanna than at Struble. That's where I go for them, and it would be closer to Lancaster than Struble.

[z06]

As far as Walleye at Struble, for the most part, that ship has sailed. Regardless what the PFBC claims. And I doubt that there has been any natural reproduction, as this fish needs current and moving water for a succesful spawn.

There remians a population at the lake, but it's a mere shadow of what it once was. Most of them are caught accidentally by bass fisherman. I caught one 4 years ago that would have went over 8 easy. Got her on a jig in 3' of water on a sunny , windy post frontal day. I took an 8 from Erie several years ago, and this fish was a good grade larger.

Just for what it's worth, I'll describe how I patterned these fish, It's doubtful that this pattern even exists anymore, as it was based on locating the schools of Alewives that were placed in there presumably as a forage base. There are still some Alewives in there, as I snag one every once in a while.

This was a pattern with a tight window, maybe a week or two at the most. I'd fish 3 or 4 days either side of June's full moon. Launched around midnite, and would motor out and find a few assorted spots where I knew the bait would show up. The water needed to be at least 70, any cooler, and the bait wouldn't show. You would locate individual fish by hearing them " suck" bait. You'd then try to target the fish that was " sucking". If you kept throwing a 7" Rapala at them & working it slow, they'd latch on. If it was still enough, you could hear them feeding from a few hundred yards away. It was a surefire pattern, and I had it all to myself, never saw any competition. Fishing was best from 2-4 but would continue to dawn. Many 5's, 6's and a few over seven.If I had to catch one out of Struble today, I'd definately revert to this pattern, even though what I describd took place in the late 80's

However, it's very hit and miss, and you'd have a much better chance of success on the Susky below both Safe Harbor, and at Holtwood. You could probably catch them there anytime of year, but for a big fat spawner, I'd hit it early in the year, they spawn while the water's still in the 40's. Maybe try to find a forum or another local board closer to the river for more accurate info.

[GordonsOwner]

I've fished struble pretty heavy for the past 5 years or more. Tried all different techniques all over the lake and I managed ONE walleye, maybe 12" on a perch color crankbait (koppers) and that was IT.

I know that lake like my backyard and I wouldn't really hold out much hope of being able to target and catch walleye. I wish that wasn't the case! I do believe there are some in there, I just don't think you would be very successful to have a night of catching walleye, eventually your gonna get lucky but thats at best.

The other problem is every walleye over 15" thats been caught from the lake in the past few years, ends up on the dinner table instead of back in the water. Nothing wrong with that, but that doesn't help keep a population going!

[bassfishin1983]

This lake was not made to produce walleye and the only way it would hold a population is if it was stocked every year and it would have to have its own regs. It sure would be nice to have a lake near by with walleye but I dont see it in the near future. Maybe we can contact the state and see what we could have done about stocking it.