So you want to venture out on Lake Erie? Check the Lake Erie wave report and weather before you go!
This is an all-inclusive informational article dedicated to weather and wave reports on Lake Erie. Each section will teach you a little about each weather feature with links to check your area.
Lake Erie wave reports and weather play a major role in fishing and boating on Lake Erie. This article will help you be more prepared. Tracking wind and storms before and while boating on Lake Erie is critical. Even if you are fishing from shore, wind can be a factor in safety and the quality of your experience. Remember only you can decide if Lake Erie is safe enough for you to venture out on. Below are the tools you need to check the lake conditions.
Real-Time Lake Erie Wave Report
The National Data Buoy Center has real-time Lake Erie wave report height, wind direction, and speed at different buoy locations across Lake Erie. This is a good tool to give you an idea of what to expect. The wave height given on the buoy page needs analyzed. Whatever wave height is displayed, take that number X 2. If the buoy is reading 2.6 ft., expect to see 5-footers near the buoy. In a South wind, the closer you are to shore the smaller the waves. Knowing what to expect when you get to the lake is essential to being prepared. Below are a couple of links to the buoys that I look at before I head out.
Buoy 45005 16 NM NW of Lorain, OH
Buoy 45176 Cleveland Crib Buoy
Lake Erie Wave Report Information
When the wind picks up over Lake Erie, so do the waves. This can happen gradually or in what seems like an instant. Nothing can replace experience on the water but here’s what to expect based on the wave forecast:
0-1 Feet
- Slick calm to slight riffle on the water. These are ideal conditions for boating on Lake Erie.
1-3 Feet
- Pretty typical conditions on Lake Erie
- Maybe a little choppy, but no big deal depending on the size of your boat.
3-6 Feet
- These are serious conditions and wave heights for small crafts.
- Be cautious and check if NOAA has issued a small craft warning.
6-10 Feet
- These are gigantic waves, taller than most people
- These are not conditions to be out on Lake Erie.
Over 10 Feet
- Extreme conditions! Stay off the lake.
- Waves can reach heights of 20+ feet in bad storms
The chart below will give you a good idea of what to expect. This depends heavily on the direction of the wind. Remember, this is just a guide and use caution before you go.
| Wind Speed | Wave Height |
|---|---|
| 15-25 mph | 3-6 feet |
| 25-35 mph | 6-10 feet |
| 35+ mph | 10+ feet |
The shallow Western Basin tends to have smaller waves compared to the deeper eastern end. On the eastern end, waves will be spread out more and become navigable for small craft. But even a 3-foot wave can easily swamp a small boat. Pay attention to wave reports and know your limits out there!
Checking Lake Erie Weather and Waves
Check all the weather links below before boating on Lake Erie. This can give you a good idea on the Lake Erie wave report. Remember to check the day before and the morning of your trip. Look ahead on the forecast, it will show if the weather will change for the worse. Consider waiting if the weather is supposed to get better as the day goes on. This is not an all-inclusive list, but these are the most used apps for boaters on Lake Erie.
Lake Erie Webcams – Real-time video of Lake Erie at different sites.
Iwindsurf – Easy to use wind app. Gives a good guess at wave report height.
Sailflow – Great for checking current and future wind on Lake Erie. Knowing the wind direction is key to guessing the wave report.
NOAA Lake Erie – Weather forecast for Lake Erie. NOAA gives a Lake Erie wave report for near and offshore. Be sure you are looking at the correct one before you go.
These websites/apps will give you the most accurate real-time and forecast data. Type in your specific location or use the map to navigate to the area you would like to boat in. For the most accurate forecast look 3 days out. When looking at the wind you need to look at the direction, speed, and time. If you are fishing from the South shore of Lake Erie a South wind will be in your favor and a North wind will be not so pleasant. It will be just the opposite if you are fishing from the North Shore.
Any headwind is going to give you trouble. However, this depends on how strong the headwind is. The more headwinds, the rougher the conditions.
Tracking Lake Erie Weather
Storms on Lake Erie can come fast and strong. A strong storm that moves across the lake fast can produce heavy sustained wind and large waves quickly. Knowing the chance of storms before you head out boating will better prepare you for them.
Weather apps can be used for storm tracking. Use the hourly forecast and map in the app, mostly looking for pop-up storms or storms that contain lightning. Weather apps are the most accurate to about 3 days out. Use that as a guide to plan your fishing trip. Below are the weather apps we use.
Below are references to other informational pages on Lake Erie Fish that will help you have a great day on the water!