Lake Erie

Lake Erie is the 10th largest freshwater lake on Earth, and one of the 5 Great Lakes.  Lake Erie has a surface area of 9,940 square miles and an average depth of 62 feet, with a maximum depth of 210 feet.  Lake Erie is primarily fed by the Detroit River (from Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair) and drains via the Niagara River and Niagara Falls into Lake Ontario.  

Lake Erie anglers target Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout and Steelhead, with Walleye fishing being some of the best in the World.

Lake Erie Fishing Report

Walleye fishing continues to be good for Lake Erie anglers, Barcelona, Dunkirk, and Cattaraugus Creek remain the best ports at depths anywhere from 75-100 feet with 80-85 feet a good starting point. Trollers running east out of Dunkirk are doing best near the International Border off Cattaraugus Creek and Sturgeon Point, but the action is closer to shore as you move west. Dipsies or downriggers coupled with harnesses remain tops fished between 40-60 feet down. Spoons have been running second with monkey puke being a popular pattern. Sizes vary with plenty of smaller 'eyes mixed in with lunkers running over 9 pounds. Reports of steelhead, mainly on spoons, has also increased off the mouth of Chautauqua, Canadaway, and Cattaraugus Creeks with many boats landing 8-10 fish per trip. Lake trout in the 3-7 pound range are also being caught from Dunkirk west.

While walleye have been the story this year on Lake Erie, perch fishing has been relatively quiet. But the perch began to make a few noises last week and it continued this week despite less than ideal weather conditions. Dunkirk and Cattaraugus Creek remain the best spots, but perch can still be found off Foxes Point, Evangola State Park, and Sturgeon Point as well. Off Dunkirk, areas just outside of the red channel buoy in 32-42 feet of water have been best with the afternoon bite better than the morning. Look for fish at similar depths one mile northwest of the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek or east off Foxes Point. In any location, the schools are moving around and the key is locate fish on the graph, anchor upwind, and drift the boat back down on top of the fish. Live fathead minnows have been working well on feeding fish with flourocarbon leaders a worthwhile addition. Catches have been variable from a few fish to near limits with most perch running between 8 and 12 inches.

Lake Erie Fishing Species

Lake Erie Walleye

Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass

Lake Erie Steelhead

Lake Erie Yellow Perch

Lake Erie Rainbow Trout

Lake Erie White Bass

Lake Erie Walleye Fishing

Lake Erie Fishing

Lake Erie Walleye Fishing and Bass Fishing Charters