Lake Erie Fishing Report | Walleye | Perch

We aim to write the most relevant Lake Erie fishing reports for the lake’s Western, Central, and Eastern Basins.  Each fishing report states where and how fish are caught in Lake Erie.  Fishing reports for Lake Erie walleye, perch, bass, and steelhead depending on the time of year. We post ice condition and ice fishing reports during the season.  Our reports include the exact locations of where fish are being caught, the baits and speed, and techniques.  Our goal is to put you on the fish. 

Timing Your Lake Erie Fishing Trip

Lake Erie fishing is all about timing.  If you are a weekend angler this can be challenging.  The Erie fishing reports will help you pinpoint where fish are on the lake.  That way you can focus on fishing and not searching! Each Erie fishing report will be specific to the week or month.  The species covered in each report will be dependent on the season.  Below are the most recent Lake Erie fishing reports.

Lake Erie fishing is all about seasonal timing.  For example, walleye migrate throughout Lake Erie.  In the fall, they stage in deep water and feed while migrating to spawning grounds.  In the spring, they can be found on shallow reefs and rivers during the spawn. During summertime, walleye will be found in the deep waters of the western and eastern basins of Lake Erie. Steelhead are cold-water fish, in the summer they can be found roaming the deep basins of the lake chasing bait. 

In the fall, fish move back into the rivers to spawn. Perch and smallmouth bass act the same, they are found in specific areas at different times of the year.  Mostly due to spawning habits and water temperature.  Both are cold water species that spawn in the early spring on Lake Erie.  Our Lake Erie Fishing Reports cover all species with specific locations and techniques.

Lake Erie Basins

Lake Erie Western Basin Fishing Report

Fishing reports for the western basin often occur in the spring, early summer, and fall. This is due to walleye migrating to and from the spawning grounds in the western basin. There are reefs, rivers, and flats where walleye like to spawn in the springtime. This is why the majority of walleye reports for the western basin are in the spring. Smallmouth bass and perch fishing also occur in the western basin. These reports come throughout the year as these fish, for the most part, stay in the area.

Lake Erie Central Basin Fishing Report

Fishing reports for the central basin of Lake Erie occur all year round. There are migratory walleye as well as resident walleye in the central basin. Although walleye fishing is best in the summertime, there are walleye to be caught all year round.

Eastern Basin Lake Erie Fishing Report

Eastern basin fishing reports for Lake Erie are year-round. There are walleye, perch, smallmouth, and steelhead to be had throughout the year. Walleye do migrate some from the western end of the lake, making the walleye fishing great in late summer.

Summer Fishing on Lake Erie

Summer Lake Erie fishing is an exciting time.  All summer long walleye can be caught casting worm harnesses or trolling crankbaits. Spoons on dipsy divers is another popular technique for summer walleye.  In the summer it’s not uncommon to catch a boat limit of walleye in less than 2 hours.  With the number of walleye in Lake Erie, the fishing is great in the summertime.

During late summer perch fishing picks up in the Western Basin between the islands. Perch migrate from their spawning grounds in search of food.  As bait fish move so do the perch.  Spreaders and perch rigs are popular to use in the summertime.  Don’t forget to use the perch’s favorite food, the emerald shiner.

Additionally, Bass fishing is good all summer long.  Largemouth feed around docks in the harbors.  Smallmouth bass are typically deeper in about 20-25 FOW during summer.

Spring Fishing on Lake Erie

Spring is the best time to fish Lake Erie.  Walleye are spawning, the bass are hungry, and the perch are plentiful. Walleye migrate to the reefs and rivers of the Western Basin in March-April to spawn. Bass fishing in the spring typically picks up around early April. You can catch walleye jigging or trolling in the spring.  In our detailed fishing reports, we cover both tactics with exact locations and presentations.

Perch typically are the first fish to spawn.  Sandusky Bay is a great place to try for jumbo perch in the early spring.  Use a spreader tipped with emerald shiners on the bottom. You can target perch from a boat or shore.  You should try the piers in Sandusky Bay in the spring, the potential to catch large fish is there!

Smallmouth fishing is done mostly in the spring.  Most bass fishermen on Lake Erie are caught and released so the closed season doesn’t affect them much.  If you do catch a true trophy smallmouth, right now you are allowed to keep one fish over 18″ in the springtime.

Fall Fishing on Lake Erie

First, Fall Lake Erie fishing is like no other.  Just like in the Spring all predatory fish are feeding heavily and the fishing gets great.  Walleye starts moving in closer to shore and feeds heavily on bait fish.  You can catch large walleye, even close to shore.  This is due to the water rapidly cooling. In the fall, shore fishing for walleye picks up.  Night fishing for walleye is popular in the central basin.  Large groups of walleye comb the rocky shorelines at night looking for an easy meal. 

Lastly, Perch fishing can be great in November—target areas around Kelley’s Island and Vermilion in about 22 FOW.  The Fall is the best time to catch a trophy smallmouth bass.  The fish will group up on a structure off of Pelee Island and the Canadian shore.