Damn Good Lake Erie Fishing Guides

With an average of 1.5 million fish caught in Lake Erie every year, you won't go home empty-handed. While the lake is known for steelhead, many other gamefish live in its waters and provide a variety of phenomenal fishing opportunities.

For most of the anglers on Lake Erie, fishing means steelhead, steelhead, steelhead. The lake and its tributaries are one of the best steelhead fisheries in the world and the fish is the signature of the area. The best steelhead fishing will often be found in a part of the lake called the mountain, where the lake is deepest and the cold-water fish will congregate as the water warms elsewhere.

Catching lake trout can require a bit of extra tackle but these fish are well worth it. Fishing the depths of “the mountain” is a great place to find these fish and with a typical weight of 8 to 12 pounds these fish will wear you out. Trolling with a diving disk that will take your spoons or lures down to the right depths will ensure you are within striking distance. Although the popularity of these fish has waned in recent years, lake trout are still an exciting and delicious gamefish perfect for any group.

While trout and steelhead are the most popular fish for this lake, Lake Erie is also home to other popular species including bass, walleye, perch, crappie, and bluegill. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are well-known game fish across the country but in a lake like this they grow slow but that doesn't mean small.

Bluegill can be found almost anywhere and their high action on minimal tackle makes them some of the most fun fish to catch. Crappie prefer brush and shallower water and are basically the next step up from bluegill. That being said do not discount this voracious fish because they are a blast to catch and a delicious meal. The only other fish that may beat crappie for the best white meat fish is the walleye. Other than their spectacular food qualities walleye are known for their trolling rigs and funky fighting style. There are plenty of game fish to catch on Lake Erie and is a great place for anglers to try something new.

When heading out on Lake Erie always be careful and consider your safety. When in doubt, contact a guide to take you out and ensure the conditions are good. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the great lakes and is prone to more severe weather including fast shifts from calm rollers to large waves as well as significant fog. When you're ready to take a trip, head out of Cleveland, Buffalo, Detroit, or Toledo as your major jumping-off points to get out on the water.