The Lake Erie Fishery
Walleye: Our Walleye fishing season begins in mid June and runs through mid September. The season starts for us by fishing near shore for resident walleye and as water temperatures rise, we move off shore to target walleyes migrating east from the western basin in search of bait fish and cooler water temperatures. Methods to target these fish include planer boards, Dipsey Divers, wire/lead core lines and downriggers. Our walleye catches typically range from 2 - 10 lbs, with 10 lbs + not being uncommon. Minimum size is 15 inches with a daily creel limit of 6 per person; State Record: 17 lbs. 9 oz.
Steelhead: Our Steelhead season begins in September and runs through the end of October which also coincides with the end of our charter season. We begin the season by trolling off shore, deep water for schooling Steelhead and conclude the season by trolling the shallow waters located at the mouths of tributary streams. These hard hitting, acrobatic fish rank among the short list of the hardest fighting freshwater fish. Catching an October staging Steelhead in the cold open water of Lake Erie will be a memory you won't soon forget. Steelhead range from 5 - 7 lbs, with a 10 lb. fish not being uncommon. The minimum size is 15 inches, with a daily creel limit of 3 per person. State Record: 20 lbs 3 oz.
Smallmouth Bass: Our Smallmouth Bass season begins in May and concludes by mid June. Smallmouth Bass fishing consists of either near shore trolling using planer boards and crank baits or drifting using jigs. Catching these hard fighting fish consists of aerial acrobatics along with lots of twists and turns. Only as of late has Lake Erie been recognized as a top Smallmouth Bass fishery offering great action and big fish. Smallmouth Bass average 3 - 5 lbs, with a 6 lb. fish not being uncommon. The minimum size is 20 inches, with a daily creel limit of 1 per person. State Record: 8 lbs. 8 oz.
Lake Trout: Our Lake Trout season begins in April and concludes by mid May. We fish off shore utilizing divers and downriggers to take most of our fish. Action is steady and it takes a strong back to bring these large trout up from the depths. Lake Trout average 7 - 10 pounds with fish in the 10 to 20+ pound range not uncommon. The state record Lake Trout was caught in the spring of 2012 off of Northeast and weighed a massive 29 lbs 4 oz. The minimum size is 9 inches, with a daily creel limit of 2 per person.
