Every model of LCD is different, so get familiar with the functions of your particular unit. The eastern side of the islands area, including Kelleys Island and the nearby shoals, is north from the entrance to Sandusky Bay. Tournament News & Results Bass, Walleye, Crappie, Redfish and More, Fishing Tackle & Equipment Found In ODU Articles Best Pricing (NEW). Anglers can also fish inshore with kayaks, waders, or other small floating vessels. targeting humps and ridges that collect smallies. Supporting a diverse fishery comprised of both warmwater and coldwater species, Erie provides anglers great fishing for smallmouth bass, walleyes and yellow perch upon the arrival of spring. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. The basic progression of fish concentrations is tributaries (April-May), harbors and canals (May), open lake reefs and shoals (May-June). Lake Erie, Ontario | Fish'n Canada From mid-April into early May, fish start to migrate from wintering areas, which are usually the first major dropoffs adjacent to spawning areas, and begin to stage on underwater points between 15 and 30 feet deep. Please review the Great Lakes and Tributaries Special Fishing Regulations. Some especially productive areas include Seneca Shoal, Woodlawn Bar, Myers Reef, Evans Bar and Van Buren Bay. Avoid backlashes by making simple adjustments to your reel and matching your lures to your rod's power and action. It wasn't long before a rod bent back, indicating the first walleye of the morning had engulfed a trolled crankbait. Unlike walleyes, perch from the record 2003 hatch are now gone.". The Keystone State has a special season designed to provide anglers with the opportunity to catch big smallmouths while at the same time protecting the resource. The big lip on this crankbait is designed to help it dive deep. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. The 2014 walleye hatch was the strongest since 2003. Though much of the best smallmouth bass structure is relatively close to shore, most of this cover is several miles from the nearest safe harbor. 0000000916 00000 n 0000368827 00000 n A popular strategy is to be prepared to fish the bay, but venture out into the lake if the winds are light. Bass nests can be in 10 or more feet of water due to the clarity. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Shale covers most of the near-shore bottom from Fairport eastward to Pennsylvania. 32 river miles mapped. Start with areas that are farthest from the boat ramp and fish your way back, not spending any more that 30 minutes in any one spot. Smallmouth bass will run up many tributaries along the Lake Erie shoreline, but the most popular (due to number of fish and amount of public access) are Cattaraugus Creek, Eighteen Mile Creek, Canadaway Creek and Chautauqua Creek. Sometimes the weather of the day will dictate which. For information about local services, contact the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1850 Austinburg Road, Austinburg, OH 44010, or call (440) 275-3202. After ice-out, smallmouth bass begin to seek out areas where water warms up faster than the open lake. Silt covers most of the bottom of the central basin, which extends from the islands area eastward into Pennsylvania. As noted, younger walleyes, such as those from the 2014 and 2015 hatches, tend to stay tighter to shore. Here flats 6 to 8 feet deep rapidly drop into the 30-plus-foot depths. Contact the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau, 109 Madison Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452; or call (800) 441-1271. From Fairport Harbor, turn eastward to breakwaters and a large reef off the Perry Nuclear Power Station. With all-metal jigs, spoons or vibrating blades, silver has traditionally been the best color. Lake Erie fishing. But this doesn't mean anglers don't target perch. Go Big or Go Home to Hook Lunker Summer Bass, Make Crawfish Part of Perfect Summertime Meal, Tackle Test 2022: Top Bass Rods & Reels Reviewed, Euro Nymphing 101: Trout Tactics from Across the Pond, How to Add Casting Distance to Reach Bigger Fish, Backyard Ready: Grilling the Perfect Steak, Click here for more G&F articles about Pennsylvania, Awesome Start to Minnesota Turkey Hunting, Bass Crash Course: How to Properly Tune a Baitcasting Rig, Winchester Big Bore: Backcountry Bear Protection. However, smallmouth bass in Lake Erie are very widely distributed and are also available to anglers fishing inshore zones with waders, kayaks and other small vessels. The best smallmouth bass fishing of the entire year is in the spring on Lake Erie's nearshore reefs, harbors and tributary streams. Lake Erie - Detroit River Bass Fishing Reports . Avoid backlashes by making simple adjustments to your reel and matching your lures to your rod's power and action. Van Buren Reef/Bay C a u t u q a r e e k Dunkirk Fredonia Brocton Westfield I can't emphasize enough the importance of keeping good records. They come armed to the gunnels with rods, reels, and tackle set to battle with 10- and 12-pound walleye or 5- and 6-pound smallmouth. The water will probably be clearer in this area than in the central or western basins. Fishing Hot Spots in Lake Erie Shores & Islands Smallmouth bass are the most frequently caught fish species in Lake Erie and fishing trips for smallmouths make up about 25% of all Lake Erie fishing trips for the entire year. The artificial reefs near Cleveland are also good springtime brown bass spots. Paul Sacks (248/819-3192) is a well-known local bass angler. Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Smallmouth bass start moving into tributary streams in mid to late April and will stay through May. Information about boat launches and local services can be obtained from the Erie County Visitors Bureau, 4424 Milan Road, Suite A (U.S. Route 250), Sandusky, OH 44870, or call (800) 255-3743. Give a Gift Route 832 leads to the park from either of these highways. May is the best month for Lake Erie smallmouth fishing because the bass will be in relatively shallow water, and they tend to be aggressive during this pre-spawn period. Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover. In this area of the lake, between Conneaut, Ohio and the Pennsylvania border, an enormous underwater shelf quickly drops from depths in the 25-foot range into 40 feet of water. One that's smoked first. Various shades of brown have been productive lately, perhaps because of the shift in the smallmouths' diet to gobies, or perhaps because it resembles crayfish. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Subscriber Services. Central basin smallies, living in a deeper, colder environment, often don't finish spawning until later in June. This area is rich in islands and reefs, many of which attract springtime smallies. This type of structure is most common around the islands area that separates the western and central basins. Boat fishing isn't productive right now because the fish are swarming the shallows. The drop shot rig has become very popular among Erie bass anglers as an effective way to fish bait just off the bottom. The truth is, this fishery is all that and so much more. Central basin perch fishing often gets better as the summer progresses. The water in this section of the lake warms quicker, so the bass should be further along in the spawn by June, perhaps even in the post-spawn period. The spawn also drives the annual influx of brown bass into Presque Isle Bay. Hartman said some of the 2014 fish were legal by the fall of last year, many of them in the 16- to 18-inch range, thanks to fast growth rates. On Lake Erie, rocky points between 30 and 45 foot consistently hold smallmouth bass from mid October into November. Shallow zones will also hold bass, particularly flats that extend out from incoming streams. This focuses on a section of the Detroit River before it flows into Lake Erie. In this area of the lake, between Conneaut, Ohio and the Pennsylvania border, an . Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. 0000145793 00000 n Don't let Lake Erie's size or reputation keep you from catching the biggest smallmouth bass of your career. The walleye harvest is over 5 million fis To provide a better shopping experience, our website uses cookies. They caught 65 smallmouth bass in two days with 4 fish over 5 pounds. 0000001682 00000 n As far as western basin largemouths go, the areas around Marblehead and Catawba have been especially productive. Public fishing rights maps for these streams are available for printing. However, many smaller rocky areas along Lake Erie's coast also hold bass. Lake Erie November Fishing Charters Many northern anglers and travelers are winterizing their equipment and boats for the upcoming winter months. These Major League Fishing pros share the best tips and advice they've ever received. The central basin includes several jumping off points that make access to the lake convenient. Anglers targeting depths in the 25- to 35-foot range can contact these fish by long-line trolling deep-diving crankbaits like Rapala's Deep Taildancer. For example, turn west from the harbor about a mile to find an area of rocky humps. To "hover," point the nose of your boat into the wind and use the trolling motor to hold the boat steady off the edge of the drop. The most consistent walleye fishing within Pennsylvania's share of Lake Erie is usually from mid-summer into early fall, when schools of migrating walleyes from the western basin are found in these waters. From the 1st Saturday in May to the regular season opener of statewide black bass season on 3rd Saturday in June, anglers may take one bass at a minimum of 20 inches per day in Lake Erie and its tributaries. This expanding largemouth bass fishery adds another element to the bass-fishing picture. trailer Split shot and rubber core sinkers both work. In general, basins to the east of the island/reef complexes and river systems (Detroit and Maumee) gather many of the spawning walleyes and are prime spots from late April through May. The perch picture isn't as bright in central basin waters. Smallmouth Bass (Shutterstock image) PENNSYLVANIA SMALLMOUTH HOTSPOTS. If you love fishing from shore, this is your time. Bass can be targeted, but none can be kept. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. This is the place to catch 5-pound smallmouths until your arms get sore, and maybe top the day with a 6- or 7-pound fish. Be aware that, on average, Erie's water conditions only allow good camera visibility about 50 percent of the time, so a camera should never be used as a substitute for a good LCD. Lake Erie November Fishing Charters for Pennsylvania Smallmouth Bass. "We've had four good hatches in a row. This can be done by either trolling or drifting. Lake Erie Trifecta: Catch More Smallies, Walleyes, Perch "I love it when a plan comes together:" Thomas Allen may have missed a day-starting coffee and chill time, but his planning before a recent turkey hunt in Minnesota had him ready when gobblers showed up earlier than expected, and just before an April winter storm blew in. Whether you're fishing out of your own boat or participating in a charter trip, fishing opportunities abound on Lake Erie. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. With the bluffs of Lake Erie's central basin shoreline a mere 2 miles distant, my boat's sonar unit displayed an abundance of arches in the 20- to 30-foot depths. Walnut Creek is the dividing area between the central b. Presque Isle Bay warms much quicker than the main lake. LCD graphs are excellent tools for fishermen if utilized to their full potential. Fly anglers do very well drifting or swinging woolly buggers and minnow patterns, especially emerald shiner patterns. On an LCD unit, these schools will appear as large, dark masses suspended in the water column, directly over the dropoff. Lake Erie PA Fishing Reports, Map & Hot Spots Good smallmouth action can also be found near Marblehead and Marblehead Reef outside the bay, during periods of rough weather, or a bit earlier in the spring, inside the bay. All Rights Reserved. Popular areas include Ruggles Reef, offshore and nearshore areas out from Vermillion, Fairport, Ashtabula and Conneaut. DetailsThe Bass Islands of Lake Erie are regarded as one of the best smallmouth and walleye areas in North America. One good spot is off the clay bluffs near Vermillion. | These include two "Cleveland Stadium" reefs, as well as three other artificial reefs found just to the west. Unlike young walleye and yellow perch which inhabit off-shore areas accessible to the agency's open water trawl efforts young smallmouth bass frequent near-shore shallows. But other factors could come into play as well, including shifts in perch locations due to expansive dead zones caused by algal blooms, and forage changes. It takes about four years for hatched smallmouth bass to recruit to the fishery, where their presence is displayed in angler catches. This can provide some great "in close" action, such as that described at the outset. Fishing Lake Erie. Bass concentrations are highest in the mid to lower areas of the streams. The waters of Lake Erie proper warm slowly. Like Erie walleyes, the heaviest angler attention for perch in Pennsylvania waters happens later in the year, once the water warms up. Suspending jerkbaits are often tops here, as well as soft swimbaits or swimming grubs. Before and after the spawn, smallmouths won't be found far from an easy meal. Deep points. Add weight 18 inches in front of the lure to get them down. Produces numbers of trophy Walleye and many white bass. So, consider the perch pack as a huge marker buoy, and then begin looking for fish off to the side. The use of natural baits is permitted during Lake Eries early bass season. Hot Spots: Best Lake Erie Fishing in Central Basin Hartman also said that while walleye production varies greatly, in general, nesting success has been more consistent in recent years. Give a Gift These Major League Fishing pros share the best tips and advice they've ever received. One of the popular launching sites east of Cleveland is at Fairport Harbor. It's also significant to note that young walleyes, such as those two- and three-year-olds that will be common this summer, tend to stay closer to the shore. Most smallmouth anglers head west from here to Elk Creek and on to the Ohio border. Subscriber Services. It's very refreshing to relive past fishing experiences and formulate new game plans, especially when Old Man Winter takes hold and cabin fever sets in. Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters. After spawning, the bass move to the deeper water surrounding their spawning areas to feed and rest before migrating to the deep offshore humps and shoals they call home during the summer and early fall months. Items that factor in include fish populations as well as recent harvest, both from sport anglers and commercial fisherman. Sharp drop-offs to the east of Conneaut, near the Pennsylvania state line, hold bass throughout the summer. Turn the legs and thighs of a freshly killed gobbler into comfort food for a chilly spring night. All of the Lake Erie tributaries are in good fishing shape to start the weekend. Look for water that drops from 25 feet down to 35- to 40-foot depths. *Fishing license issued by Seneca Nation needed to fish on reservation. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. Perch populations in central basin waters may be down somewhat. By the end of June most smallmouth will have returned to the big lake, though the bay has a good resident largemouth population. Ohio's liberal season also allows bass fishing year-round in Lake Erie. This is especially true during summers that lack above average water temperatures. Lake Erie is a smallmouth bass angler's dream come true. Winchester's new Big Bore ammo, available in 10 mm, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., and .45 Colt, is specifically designed for big bears in bear country. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. The key to successful summer smallmouth bass fishing is to locate bottom structure. Ohio waters have a catch-and-release season on Lake Erie that runs through late June. Anglers can enjoy an early bass season on Lake Erie to take advantage of the great fishing available for smallmouth bass during spring. Minnows and crayfish are top live bait offerings, but nightcrawlers and leeches will also work. "I love it when a plan comes together:" Thomas Allen may have missed a day-starting coffee and chill time, but his planning before a recent turkey hunt in Minnesota had him ready when gobblers showed up earlier than expected, and just before an April winter storm blew in. Central basin shorelines from Cleveland east to the state line all offer areas of rocky near-shore ledges and humps that hold summertime bass. Good access areas are found at Geneva, Ashtabula and Conneaut. Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass Fishing Hotspots Map (710 KB pdf file). Winchester's new Big Bore ammo, available in 10 mm, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., and .45 Colt, is specifically designed for big bears in bear country. 0000374305 00000 n Take Dutch Road or Manchester Road off Route 5 to this area. Greg Gasiciel from Rhodes caught the new state-record smallmouth on October 18, 2015. The reef tops out in five to 15 feet, dropping quickly into depths of 25 or so feet. The Bassmaster Elite Series also periodically makes tournament stops at our top smallmouth bass fishery and tournament catches are usually spectacular. The big lake warms slowly, but the shallow, near-shore water warms first. This pattern is likely to be more pronounced this year than most, because there are a couple good year classes of younger fish. Even though lake-wide walleye action is driven, in general, by the summer's west-to-east fish movement, central basin waters have local fish, and account for some of the early summer action. This can happen in May. As with areas to the west, breakwalls at access sites are worth investigating, particularly on days when the lake is too rough to fish. These units also allow anglers to easily distinguish between several types of hard and soft bottoms, which is important because smallmouth bass spend more than 90 percent of their time over some type of hard bottom. Walleye Fishing on Lake Erie: The Complete Guide - FishingBooker Blog South Bass Island, Ohio Take your vehicle and boat across on the ferry from Port Clinton and use South Bass Island and its state park or the village of Put-in-Bay, Ohio, to access Lake Erie's storied Western Basin walleye fishery. When the fish are spread over large areas, drifting allows you to cover water rapidly as you search for cruising or bedded bass. As Lake Erie waters warm, post-spawn smallmouths move to deeper water zones where they will hold during the summer months (late June through August). Productive lures used by spinning anglers include stickbaits, crankbaits and other lures that imitate minnows/shiners. The camera can also be used to determine the most available forage in an area and the presence of vegetation. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Until mid-June, only one smallmouth or largemouth bass may taken, and it must be over 20 inches. Best Smallmouth Bass Fishing on Lake Erie in Pennsylvania Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover. When you are traveling to Lake Erie, plan out two days of incredible smallmouth bass fishing. A tube jig, hair jig, or soft swimbait, worked down the side of this edge, is often productive. In the Huron and Vermillion area, it's wise to explore the rocky near-shore flats, especially near the Huron and Vermillion rivers. Look for large rocks that may be scattered over flat areas. By simply navigating with your chartplotter and Navionics Maps out from Crystal Beach, you can be fishing in world-class Smallmouth water within minutes. The best smallmouth bass fishing of the entire year is in the spring on Lake Eries nearshore reefs, harbors and tributary streams. Don't crowd other boats, but don't be shy either. These folks often have the latest word on the perch bite. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. The bite is often close to shore within a mile or so. What could be better than a deep-fried nugget? Bass Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy. Smallmouth bass are curious creatures and sound can be a major attractant. The western basin of Lake Erie plays host to the largest numbers of walleye and smallmouth bass in the lake. Jigs tossed up on the flat, as well as suspending jerkbaits, often excel when targeting the adjacent shallow flat. | Try a variety of depths when fishing near the reefs to determine the depth the bass are using that day. Lake Erie is renowned for its rich waters and the bite that keeps on giving. Fishing Hotspots 6. It drastically shortens the learning curve, by allowing you to actually see what is underwater and then compare it to the reading on your graph. 0000023823 00000 n This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. To give your bait action, slowly lift and drop your rod tip in a jigging motion. Consistent perch production of late, combined with the fast growth rates of Lake Erie, should combine to provide western basin anglers with good numbers as well as size structure of yellow perch. Nearly all perch anglers fish from an anchored position, lowering a perch rig (typically a sinker and minnow) to the bottom, and then bringing it back up a few inches. It is common for the largest, most dominant fish in an area to feed first, so this technique allows you to catch the best fish t. hat each hotspot has to offer, and can produce several trophy fish in a single day. Anglers need to take a vertical approach to fishing for summer smallies. 0000372687 00000 n Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass By The Season Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. As such, it's wise to carry a supply of minnows along even on a walleye trip, and be willing to join the perch pack when things are slow. Like Pennsylvania, Ohio features varying habitats that hold springtime smallmouth bass, as provided by both the western and central basins. The latest Lake Erie fishing information is recorded weekly and is available by calling 1-888-HOOKFISH. "The fish will move into really . Lake Erie Bass Island Fishing Map - Jann's Netcraft Extensive shoals that extend out into the lake are often good bets now. Structure includes the basic make-up and configuration of the bottom. Detroit River MI Fishing Reports, Map & Hot Spots According to Travis Hartman, the Ohio Division of Wildlife's Lake Erie Program Manager, it's likely we are entering the beginning of another walleye boom. Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas.