What makes Lake Erie a fantastic fishing destination?
Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the world. It’s a great way to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time with family and friends. But not all fishing destinations are created equal. So, what makes Lake Erie a fantastic fishing destination?
First of all, it’s the perfect size. At 3826 miles, it’s the fourth largest of the five Great Lakes. This means there’s plenty of space to find the perfect spot to drop your line.
Secondly, the fish. Lake Erie is home to many different kinds of fish, but it’s especially well-known for catching trophy sized walleye. Walleye fishing is a popular pastime in the Great Lakes region, and Lake Erie is considered one of the best places to fish for them.
Finally, the scenery. Lake Erie is beautiful, with its sandy beaches, rocky shores, and picturesque sunsets. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a day (or week!) of fishing.
So, there you have it.
Keep reading for more information on why Lake Erie is a fantastic fishing destination!
Lake Erie Facts
- This beautiful lake has 799 miles of shoreline
- Lake Erie has 30 islands
- 17 of those islands are considered Ohio
- Water temperature stays above 70°F most of the summer
- Lake Erie contains 50% of all the fish for the great lakes
Lake Erie Fishing By Season
Anglers from all over the world come to Lake Erie to fish for its abundant and popular walleye. The lake also boasts great populations of yellow perch, smallmouth and largemouth bass, channel catfish, and steelhead trout. Spring and fall offer the best fishing, but there’s good fishing to be had all year long.
Spring
April, May, and June are considered spring months, but in Northern Ohio it’s more late April, May, and June. The water doesn’t start to warm up until May, but you can see some movement the last week or so in April.
It’s certainly still very cold in the spring on Lake Erie. So it’s not the most popular time to be fishing. Boating on the lake is much colder than shore conditions. You will want to bring layers to take off as the day warms up, and put back on throughout the day. It’s Ohio, the weather can change quickly.
Perch are still pretty lively, and are the most popular during the spring. These little guys will be lively and hungry making for a fun afternoon of cast and catch. However, smallmouth and rock bass fishing will be starting to pick up in mid-May.
One very popular fishing opportunity in the spring is night fishing for walleye from the shore. This season usually lasts about a 6 weeks, and starts the first or second week of April. You see, steelhead will start leaving the creeks at night, giving way for the walleye to cruise into the shoreline. Because walleye are so close to shore, they usually arrive at dusk, and feed thought the night. I mean there are some good sized walleye to be found in the spring. We’re talking six to eight pound walleye, this is not uncommon.
Lake Erie has some special rules for spring fishing, so please make sure to check with ODNR before you bring any fish home.
Summer
Summer is the most popular time to fish, and Lake Erie is no different. During the summer months the fish have moved into deeper water to stay cool. With Lake Erie being the more shallow of the Great Lakes, you are more likely to find fish in shaded areas and drop offs.
Fishing becomes considerably more stable in the summer months as the water temperature rises and the weather is more consistent. Fish, specifically walleye, tend to be schooled up and running normal migration patterns by July. Therefore it is very common to catch your limit of fish during mid summer.
Fall
Fall fishing on Lake Erie can be very productive. The water is still warm and the fish are still very active. Schools of walleye are still in open water but as you move into the cooler months the walleye will be moving but this will give way for perch.
Fishing for perch in the fall is a great way to keep anglers happy. It is a delicious catch. And in Lake Erie the perch can get pretty big, 8 – 12 inches is common.
Winter
It takes a special angler to fish in the winter. If you are wild like we are; don’t put fishing on hold. Get out on Lake Erie!
During January and February, some parts of the lake are completely frozen, which makes for the ideal ice fishing conditions. During this time of year, you will most likely snag some yellow perch. Although you can also score walleye and crappie.
The most important rules of ice fishing are to make sure that the ice is thick enough (at least 4 inches) and NEVER go out alone. Grab a couple of friends or hire an ice fishing guide. A guide will transport you to the fishing area on airboats or snowmobiles and provide the necessary ice gear. Dress warm, pack a thermos filled with your favorite hot drink and let’s get ice fishing!
Do be extra careful on Lake Erie. Ice dunes are known to form all along the shore as the winds blow the ice toward the shoreline. These ice dunes are very dangerous. People climbing on the dunes have fallen through and landed in much deeper water than expected. It is always recommended that you stay off the ice dunes on Lake Erie.
Lake Erie Fishing Hot Spots
Whether you’re trolling, casting, jigging, or still-fishing, you’ll find a good stretch of water to fish. The western basin is shallow and rockier, while the central and eastern basins are deeper and have more soft-bottom areas. There are also many different types of structures to fish around, including reefs, shoals, drop-offs, and submerged islands. Keep reading for more information on why Lake Erie is a fantastic fishing destination!
Western Zone / Basin
- Walleye: Breakwalls; Maumee River, Marblehead, Sandusky River, Catawba. Reef Complex, Bass Island Area, Catawba, Kelleys Island, and Marblehead.
- Perch: Catawba, Bass Islands, Marblehead, Sandusky Bay, Kelleys Island, Toledo water intake, and Metzger’s Marsh Pier.
- Bass: Bass Islands, Kelleys Island, Catawba, Marblehead, and Sandusky Bay.
Central Zone / Basin
- Walleye: Breakwalls; Huron, Huntington Beach, Lakefront State Park, Fairport Harbor, Ruggles Reef, Lorain, Cleveland, Euclid, Eastlake, Fairport, Geneva, and Ashtabula.
- Perch: Breakwalls; Huron, Huntington Beach, Lakefront State Park, Fairport Harbor, Lorain, Lakefront State Park, Mentor Headlands, Fairport Harbor, and Ashtabula.
- Bass: Fairport, Perry, Ruggles Reef, Vermilion, Ashtabula, Lorain, Conneaut; and Cleveland artificial reefs.
- Trout: Vermilion, Rocky, Avon, Lorain, Fairport, Chagrin, Grand rivers, Conneaut Creek; and Cleveland.
Overview
No matter what season we’re in, Lake Erie is a freshwater fishing hot spot for professional anglers and somewhere that beginners can revel in the delight of fishing. Just get out there and have some fun. On the shore, in a boat, or hiring a charter. Lake Erie is an anglers paradise.
The Catch
Walleye
Walleye generally prefer cool temperatures. They want clear water and will move great distances to find good food and the right conditions. So, it may take some time to find these delicious fish. Actively feeding walleye are all over the place, so try different depths. When you do find a feeding school, fishing will be outstanding! It’s not uncommon to limit out when you find walleye feeding.
Fishing for walleye is often best at dawn and dusk, or on overcast days with a light chop on the water. For shore anglers, the best opportunities are dawn and dusk near accessible river mouths, and in the spring fishing during the walleye spawning run.
Walleye can be caught by trolling, casting, or jigging. If you are unsure where the walleye are located, trolling is the easiest way to cover a lot of water. However, as of 2023 fishing regulations, three lines per angler are allowed in Ohio. Trolling with an assortment of divers, downriggers, or by simply flat-lining. Lures to use include diving plugs, bottom bouncers, crawler harnesses, or spoons. Casting lures include spinners and crankbaits. Jigging lures can include blade baits, spoons, and twister tails or hair jigs.
Perch
Perch are most active during the day from spring through fall. They are found all over the lake, but almost always near the bottom of the lake. When you find large school, the fishing can be fast and furious. This makes a great family fishing adventure. So do not hesitate to move around until you find a feeding school. When the perch are biting they are usually soft rapid taps that require attention to detect.
The most common technique for perch is a spreader with multiple hooks and a large sinker (3/4 – 1 oz) to keep the shiners near the bottom. Periodically jigging can entice nibbles. If you have found a school with large perch, jigging with a small twister tail or hair jig can produce some great catches of jumbo perch while skipping the undersized fish.
Trout & Salmon
These are lake trout and are native to Lake Erie. They mature a little more slowly than most other fish. If you are lucky enough to catch a large lake trout, they have probably been around 10 years or longer.
If you are wanting to trophy fish, you might want to do a little lake trout fishing. Although, lake trout can be found anywhere in the lake, they are far more common in the east zone, New York area. Lake trout are usually found on or near the bottom of the lake. Therefore, they can be caught by trolling very slowly with a spoon so it’s close to the bottom.
There are limitations, and a trout stamp is required to take these fish.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass are most active during the day from early spring through fall. These lively fish are attracted to structure such as rocks, piers, logs, and weedbeds. They are also frequently found close to shore. Male bass provide essential care for their nest, so special regulations are in place for Lake Erie from May 1 until the fourth Saturday in June (2023). Refer to the current regulations book for specific information.
Casting crankbaits and tube jigs are the most popular techniques in Lake Erie, but drop-shotting with soft, plastic baits is also extremely effective. Twister tails, hair jigs, and spoons catch their share of smallmouth bass, too.
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass are active during the day from spring through fall. They are aggressive fish that will eat almost anything. Largemouth are common in areas that are heavily weeded or structure, like piers, rocks, or logs, where they wait to ambush their prey. Male bass provide essential care for their eggs. Therefore special regulations are in place for Lake Erie from May 1 until the fourth Saturday in June. Refer to the current regulations book for specific information.
Fishing in the bays, harbors, and shorelines with cover are the best areas to find largemouth. Casting typically involves rubber worms, twister tails, flipping baits, crankbaits, spinners, and spoons. Using topwater and weedless lures are common for shallow and heavily weeded areas.
Rules of the Lake
The ODNR Division of Wildlife provides updated fishing reports at wildohio.gov . Along with these fishing reports you can find links for tips by species and advice specifically for fishing Lake Erie. In addition, there are a number of videos available on “how-to”. You can search public forums and websites that will also provide current information. Finally, and probably the best source for local fishing information, stop and check with a bait and tackle store near where you plan to fish.
Except for 1 weekend a year, you will need fishing license for the state of Ohio to fish Lake Erie, and if you want to fish for trout or salmon you will need a trout stamp.
Lake Erie Fishing License and Resources through ODNR – Click the link below:
Final Thoughts
Lake Erie is a fantastic fishing destination for a variety of reasons. The most significant reason is the abundance of fish in the lake. There are also a variety of different fish to target, which makes for an exciting and diverse fishing experience. Other reasons include the scenic views and the opportunity to fish from the shore or from a boat. If you want to learn more about fishing in Ohio, sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on our socials. Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
Happy Fishing – Get out and Go Hunt Ohio
Want to know more about great places to fish in Ohio? See my blog on 5 fun filled fishing locations: Why Fish Ohio? See What Ohio has to Offer.
