Damn Good Lake Erie Fishing Guides

Check real-time availability and compare rates on Lake Erie fishing trips. Lake, River, Nearshore, and Inshore trips available.

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Recently Booked Fishing Guides In Lake Erie

Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Lakeside Marblehead

Lake Erie Smallies, Walleye, Perch

100% (1)
29 ft 1 - 6 People From $550
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River, Lake Fishing Trip in Lewiston

Niagara River Fishing Charters

100% (1)
22 ft 1 - 4 People From $425
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Port Clinton

Lake Erie Catfish Special

NEW
24 ft 1 - 6 People From $390
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Lakeside Marblehead

Lake Erie Walleye Hunt

NEW
34 ft 1 - 6 People From $990
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Grand River

Lake Erie Walley & Steelhead Trolling

NEW
30 ft 1 - 6 People From $850
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Lorain

Lake Erie Walleye Fishing

NEW
27 ft 1 - 6 People From $500

Top Types of Trips in Lake Erie

Top Species for Fishing in Lake Erie

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

Lake Fishing Guides In Lake Erie

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Lorain

Lake Erie Walleye Catch

100% (1)
30 ft 1 - 6 People From $650
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River, Lake Fishing Trip in Lewiston

Niagara River Fishing Charters

100% (1)
22 ft 1 - 4 People From $425
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Conneaut

Lake Erie Walleye Drift

NEW
30 ft 1 - 6 People From $800
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Lorain

Lake Erie Walleye Roundup

100% (2)
29 ft 1 - 6 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Lorain

Lake Erie Walleye Run

100% (2)
26 ft 1 - 4 People From $450
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Lakeside Marblehead

Lake Erie Perch Or Walleye Special

NEW
30 ft 1 - 6 People From $700

River Fishing Guides In Lake Erie

Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River, Lake Fishing Trip in Lewiston

Niagara River Fishing Charters

100% (1)
22 ft 1 - 4 People From $425
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore, River, Lake Fishing Charter in Cleveland

Trophy Walleye Night Bite (Oct-Dec)

NEW
21 ft 1 - 3 People From $450
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing Trip in Oak Harbor

Honing In On Walleye

NEW
30 ft 1 - 6 People From $700
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing Trip in Oak Harbor

Honing In On Perch

NEW
30 ft 1 - 6 People From $800
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing Trip in Wyandotte

Lake Erie Walleye Hunt

NEW
21 ft 1 - 4 People From $400
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River, Lake Fishing Trip in Buffalo

Full Day Fishing Charter

NEW
19 ft 1 - 6 People From $575

Nearshore Fishing Guides In Lake Erie

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore, Lake Fishing Charter in Lorain

Full Day Walleye Fishing

100% (1)
30 ft 1 - 6 People From $650
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore, River, Lake Fishing Charter in Cleveland

Trophy Walleye Night Bite (Oct-Dec)

NEW
21 ft 1 - 3 People From $450
Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore, Lake Fishing Charter in Port Clinton

Walleye Trolling Morning (AM)

100% (1)
39 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,100
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Lake Fishing Charter in Conneaut

Summer Walleye Troll

NEW
27 ft 1 - 12 People From $700

More Fishing Guides In Lake Erie

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Westfield

Lake Erie Catch-Em-Up Trip

NEW
30 ft 1 - 6 People From $450
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Lorain

Lake Erie Walleye Roundup

100% (2)
29 ft 1 - 6 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Lorain

Walleye Trolling

NEW
27 ft 1 - 6 People From $500
Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Port Clinton

Yellow Perch And Smallmouth

100% (1)
37 ft 1 - 6 People From $900
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Lakeside Marblehead

Full Day Walleye Hunt

NEW
20 ft 1 - 3 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing Trip in Port Clinton

Lake Erie Caster - 37' Pace

NEW
37 ft 1 - 6 People From $840
See All Trips in Lake Erie

Need a Place to Stay?

Everything to Know About Booking a Fishing Guide in Lake Erie

What are the best fishing trips in Lake Erie?

Why should I book a fishing trip in Lake Erie with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 57 trips in Lake Erie, and the most popular trips in the area are Lake Erie Smallies, Walleye, Perch guided by Robert, Lake Erie Catfish Special guided by Scott, and Niagara River Fishing Charters guided by Joseph.

Our guides in Lake Erie are rated a 4.89 out of 5 based on 3690 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly guides / fishing lessons in Lake Erie? Check out our beginner and family friendly guides in Lake Erie.

What types of fishing trips are common in Lake Erie?

Lake fishing is the most popular type of fishing in Lake Erie as well as river fishing, nearshore fishing, and inshore fishing.

The most commonly sought after species in Lake Erie are: 1. walleye, 2. perch, 3. steelhead, 4. channel catfish, and 5. smallmouth bass.

The most common fishing techniques in Lake Erie are light tackle fishing, artificial lure fishing, and trolling but live bait fishing and drift fishing are popular as well.

How much does a Lake Erie fishing trip cost?

Prices in Lake Erie can range anywhere from about $500 to $1,478, but the average price for a half day trip in Lake Erie is $756. The average price for a full day trip in Lake Erie is $1,005.

Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

What month is best for fishing in Lake Erie?

The most popular season for fishing in Lake Erie is summer, and most anglers book their trips 108 days in advance.

Do I need a Lake Erie fishing license and what are the bag limits in Lake Erie?

See here for more information on fishing licenses in Lake Erie, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in Lake Erie. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right rules and regulations in Lake Erie.

Lake Erie Fishing Overview

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.

Lake Erie Steelhead Fishing

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.

Lake Trout Fishing on Lake Erie

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.

Other Lake Erie Game Fish Species

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.

Lake Erie Weather

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.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Ron was a great guide! He was super funny, did the best he could to make sure we caught fish, & overall gave us a great experience. 10/10 would recommend, would totally book again!

    Emily B. | July 30, 2024

    Trip: Half-Day Lake Erie Hook-Up

  • ★★★★★
    My son and I and 4 other friends had a blast on our full day excursion with Capt. Alex. He was a wonderful Captain, kind courteous, informative and fun. I would highly recommend Captain Alex and Captain Experiences to anyone looking for an enjoyable day of fishing. Thank you Alex. Dave Vachon.

    David R. | July 21, 2024

    Trip: Lake Erie Walleye Roundup

  • ★★★★★
    Excellent trip

    Kyle W. | June 19, 2024

    Trip: Lake Erie Smallies, Walleye, Perch

  • ★★★★★
    Larry was a great guide - put us on top of lots of Walleye. We got our 30 fish limit in 4 hours. The boat - Walleye Magnet - was awesome and perfectly set up to catch tons of keepers.

    Brandon M. | June 16, 2024

    Trip: Lake Erie Walleye Catch

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Joe was the best! And he knows how to get on them BIGS!!!

    Jaxon H. | March 23, 2024

    Trip: Niagara River Fishing Charters

  • ★★★★★
    We had an amazing experience. Capt Sean was very knowledgeable of the area and knew where the fish were. We are looking forward to our next trip already.

    Adam H. | June 18, 2023

    Trip: Lake Erie Walleye Run

  • ★★★★★
    Sean was a fantastic guide. He's very personable and we had great conversation in addition to catching a lot of fish! His boat was clean and spacious, I'll definitely be booking him again.

    Josh H. | June 5, 2023

    Trip: Lake Erie Walleye Run

  • ★★★★★
    Our captian was great. Very knowledgeable and explained what was going on since it was our first time on a charter. Really came in the clutch to get us near our limit at the end. I would recommend these guys and I will be booking again.

    Eldon L. | May 14, 2023

    Trip: Lake Erie Walleye Roundup

Top Fishing Techniques in Lake Erie

Top Types of Fishing in Lake Erie

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Our guides are Damn Good Guides, which means they’re vetted by our team of outdoor experts who know them on a first-name basis. We hand pick each and every one of them, and our network spans all across the US and beyond.

The proof is in the pudding, and we’re incredibly proud of our 4.9 / 5 average review score. Hit the button below to see more trip options:

See All Trips in Lake Erie