Last Updated: October 31, 2026
Quick Summary
The best gear for walleye trolling on Lake Erie is a 7-foot medium-light rod, a level wind reel with a line counter, and planer boards, downriggers or divers to reach fish at depth. The Ice Strong Outdoors Manasseh AP7 rod and PENN Fathom II Level Wind 20 reel are recommended starting points. Match your rod to the heaviest setup you plan to run.
- Use a 7-foot medium-light rod such as the Manasseh AP7, rated for 12 to 30 lb line.
- A level wind reel with a line counter lets you repeat the same depth on later passes.
- The PENN Squall II at $179.95 is a budget option without a line counter.
- In-line planer boards work well for spreading two to four lines on Lake Erie.
- Downriggers are the most precise way to hold baits at depth when walleye sit 40 to 70 feet down.
Table of Contents
- Why Gear Choice Matters for Lake Erie Walleye Trolling
- Choosing Trolling Rods for Walleye on Lake Erie
- Reels and Walleye Trolling Line: Matching Capacity to Depth
- Planer Boards for Walleye Fishing and Spreading Your Lines
- Downriggers for Walleye Trolling When Fish Hold Deep
- Lures and Divers That Work on Lake Erie Walleye
- Building Your Lake Erie Walleye Trolling Setup Step by Step
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Gear Choice Matters for Lake Erie Walleye Trolling
Walleye trolling on Lake Erie rewards anglers who get their gear right the first time.
Start with the depth you need to cover, then build the rest of the setup around it. Walleye move up and down the water column with light, temperature and baitfish, so your gear has to adjust quickly.
You don't need a boat full of exotic equipment. A small number of well-chosen pieces covers most Lake Erie situations.
Choosing Trolling Rods for Walleye on Lake Erie
A trolling rod for walleye needs to do three jobs: hold a bait steady at speed, cushion the bite, and handle the weight of whatever you're pulling. For most Lake Erie work, a medium-light rod in the 7-foot range is the sweet spot. The Ice Strong Outdoors Manasseh AP7 is a solid example. It's a 7-foot, one-piece rod rated for 12 to 30 lb line, with a medium-light power and action, which makes it a good match for downrigger and small planer work.
The Manasseh AP7 is listed at $99.99 on our product page and features a high-quality EVA handle and stainless steel framed ceramic guides.
Medium-light action is a common choice for walleye trolling. A stiffer rod works better when pulling heavier weights or running a lot of line out.
Here is a quick comparison of the rod, reel and lure specs covered in the sections above.
| Item | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Manasseh AP7 rod | 7 ft, one-piece | Medium-light power and action |
| Manasseh AP7 line rating | 12 to 30 lb | Good fit for downrigger and small planer work |
| PENN Fathom II 20 | $319.95 | Level wind with line counter |
| PENN Squall II 15 | $179.95 | Level wind, no line counter |
| Walleye Shad 90 | $14.99 | Floating crankbait, about 8 ft when trolled |
| Havoc HD-30 | $13.99 to $14.99 | Deep-diving crankbait rated to 30 ft |
Reels and Walleye Trolling Line: Matching Capacity to Depth
Reel choice comes down to how much line you need to deploy and how precisely you need to track depth. The PENN Fathom II Level Wind 20 with Line Counter, listed at $319.95, features an HT-100 carbon fiber drag and an integrated line counter. You can see the full specs on the Fathom II product page.
If you want a simpler setup, the PENN Squall II Level Wind Reel (SQLII15LW) at $179.95 offers a forged aluminum spool, a marine grade bronze alloy main gear and a 3+1 shielded stainless steel bearing system. The PENN Squall II is a reasonable starting point if you're not yet sure how much you'll use the counter.
Ice Strong Outdoors - Manasseh - AP7 Trolling Rod - Downrigger/Walleye/Small →
Line capacity matters as much as the reel. Monofilament and braid are both used for walleye trolling, with braid typically offering less stretch. Make sure the spool holds enough line to reach your target depth with room to spare, and check the monofilament and braid capacities by pound test on the reel listing before you buy.
Planer Boards for Walleye Fishing and Spreading Your Lines
Planer boards are the backbone of a multi-line walleye spread. They pull baits away from the boat so you can run rods on both sides without tangles and cover more water. On Lake Erie, where walleye may suspend over structure or roam open basins, a spread of boards can cover more water.
There are two main types: in-line boards and mast-and-ski planer boards. In-line boards clip directly onto your line and pull out as you let line out; they are simple, solo-friendly, and ideal for 2-4 lines. Mast-and-ski systems use a large board towed by a dedicated mast line, with release clips that let you deploy multiple lines from a single board.
Matching Boards to Rods and Reels
A planer board rod should give enough tip action to show the board's movement and enough backbone to handle the load. The Ice Strong Outdoors Manasseh AP7 (7-foot, medium-light, rated 12-30 lb) is a rod option for planer board work. Pair it with a level-wind reel that has a line counter, like the PENN Fathom II Level Wind 20 with Line Counter, so you can repeat the exact lead length that produced fish.
Setting the Spread
A common Lake Erie in-line board spread runs two boards per side. Start with the inside board at a shorter lead (e.g., 30-50 feet) and the outside board at a longer lead (e.g., 60-100 feet). This staggers your baits at different depths and distances, reducing the chance that all your lines sit in the same dead water. Keep your trolling speed consistent, most walleye trollers work 1.8-2.5 mph, and watch the board's behavior: a board that surges or hesitates often signals a fish or a fouled lure.
Avoiding Tangles and Reading the Boards
Tangles usually come from turning too sharply or from boards set too close together. When you turn, the inside board slows and the outside board speeds up; make wide, gradual turns and consider pulling the inside board in before a tight turn. Check that your release clips are set tight enough to hold the board at trolling speed but loose enough to release when a fish strikes.
Board Options and Accessories
For in-line boards, look for models with adjustable weight systems so you can tune them for different speeds and wave conditions. A board that runs too light will skip and tangle; too heavy and it will dive and pull hard.
If you are new to boards, start with a single board on one side and a flatline on the other. Once you are comfortable with the release and the lead lengths, add a second board.
Downriggers for Walleye Trolling When Fish Hold Deep
When walleye slide deep, often 40-70 feet over the basin or off steep structure, a downrigger is the most precise way to put a bait in their face. It carries your line down on a weighted ball and holds it at a set depth, so you can troll a crankbait or spoon right through the strike zone without guessing at line length and speed.
Manual vs. Electric Downriggers
Manual downriggers use a hand crank to raise and lower the ball; they are lighter, less expensive, and fine for occasional deep trolling. Electric downriggers use a motor at the push of a button; they are heavier, require wiring, and cost more, but they save effort when you are constantly changing depth or fighting fish. For most walleye trolling, a manual downrigger with a 4- to 6-pound ball is adequate.
Rigging the Ball and Release
A downrigger ball should be heavy enough to keep your line down at trolling speed but light enough to manage by hand. Find the right downrigger line to pair with your setup for deep walleye trolling. Compare lead core, copper and downrigger options side by side before you commit to one setup. A 4-pound ball works for shallower depths and calmer water; a 6-pound ball holds better in wind and current.
Depth and Speed Control
Downrigger depth is read from the counter on the unit, but the ball trails behind the boat, so actual lure depth is slightly shallower than the counter indicates, especially at higher speeds. A common rule is to add 10-15% to your desired depth to account for blowback. Trolling speed for walleye on downriggers is typically 1.8-2.5 mph; faster speeds can make the ball rise and the lure action erratic.
Ice Strong Outdoors - Manasseh - AP7 Trolling Rod - Downrigger/Walleye/Small →
Stacking and Multiple Lines
You can stack multiple lines on one downrigger cable using stacker releases, which let you fish two or three depths off a single ball. Stacking is efficient but increases tangle risk; keep your lines separated by at least 10 feet of cable and use a longer release lead for the upper line. For walleye, a common stack is one lure at the ball depth and another 10-15 feet above. Always deploy the deepest line first and bring the shallowest line in first to avoid crossing.
Downrigger Alternatives
If you do not want to install a downrigger, diving devices like Dipsy divers or jet divers can reach similar depths with less hardware. A trolling plane or lead-core line is another option for deep walleye. The trade-off is precision: downriggers hold a fixed depth, while divers and lead core depend on speed and line length. For consistent deep-water walleye trolling, a downrigger is the most repeatable tool.
Lures and Divers That Work on Lake Erie Walleye
Crankbaits and divers do the heavy lifting on Lake Erie. The Walleye Shad 90 from Livingston Lures is a floating crankbait designed for both casting and trolling.
For deeper water, the Havoc HD-30 is a deep-diving crankbait rated to 30 feet.
Davis Fish Seeker trolling planes, listed at $10.99 in chartreuse and clear, are a lower-cost option for controlling depth without a diver.
Building Your Lake Erie Walleye Trolling Setup Step by Step
Start with a clear plan for depth, then build your setup from the rod outward. Here's a sequence that works well for most Lake Erie trips:
- Choose your rods. Pick a 7-foot medium-light rod like the Manasseh AP7 for planer and downrigger work. Use one rod per line you intend to run.
- Pick your reels. Use the Fathom II with line counter if you need precise depth repeatability, or the Squall II if you're working on a budget.
- Set your depth tools. Decide between a downrigger, a diver, or a trolling plane, depending on how deep the fish are holding.
- Add your lures. Run the Walleye Shad 90 in shallower water and the Havoc HD-30 in deeper water, changing color when the fish stop responding.
- Rig your rod holders. The True-Set Rod Holder, listed at $26.99, is built for trolling and holds 30° or 45° angles. Its angled tip keeps the reel stable under load. Mount it with a Tite-Lok clamp to the rail or gunnel that suits your boat.
- Test before you fish. Run the spread in open water, check each line's depth and speed, and adjust before you start working structure.
Set up each rod the same way every trip, so your depth readings stay consistent from one outing to the next. That consistency is what separates a good trolling day from a frustrating one on Lake Erie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gear do you need to troll for walleye on Lake Erie?
A basic Lake Erie walleye trolling setup needs medium-light trolling rods, a line-counter reel with enough capacity for the depths you fish, a braided or monofilament main line, and a mix of crankbaits, spoons or divers. Add rod holders and either planer boards or downriggers to spread your lines and reach the depth where walleye are holding. Elliott's Tackle & Rigging stocks rods, reels, lures and accessories for each of these categories.
What rods and reels are best for walleye trolling?
The Ice Strong Outdoors Manasseh AP7 is a 7-foot, medium-light rod rated for 12 to 30 lb line, suited to downrigger work and small planer boards. For reels, the PENN Squall II Level Wind at $179.95 offers a forged aluminum spool and HT-100 carbon fiber drag, while the PENN Fathom II Level Wind 20 with Line Counter at $319.95 adds an integrated line counter for tracking depth and trolling distance.
What line should you use for trolling walleye?
Many Lake Erie anglers run monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders on the rig and braided main line on the reel, because braid has little stretch and lets you feel strikes. Match the line weight to your rod rating and your reel's capacity charts. Check the line counter on your reel so you know how much line is out at each depth.
Do you need downriggers to troll for walleye on Lake Erie?
Downriggers are not required, but they are useful when walleye are suspended or holding deep and you need to keep baits at a precise depth. Planer boards and inline diving devices can cover many situations at shallower depths. Many anglers use a combination of both depending on the day's conditions.
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