lake erie smallmouth hotspotslake erie smallmouth hotspots

Good near-shore bass fishing exists near Lorain, again zeroing in along the rocky ledges that offer bass ambush points to pick off prey. During autumn, smallmouth are found in the same locations and are caught by the same methods as described above for the summer period. Bass concentrations are highest in the mid to lower areas of the streams. @ &(g%V )!fi2D `1LOSq@?OdC \`r>.g+3V)3P`h{h+;dJr ~(= qEbSuULZT0Vd6i(xEW#\o osuOn.m9V )Um5f`8&="z? \"l[*|ZT. To the east, there are dropoffs toward and past the New York border. Yellow perch gang up in schools, and tend to attract plenty of angler attention. Within a couple hours, the cooler held our limits of eating-size walleyes and we were on our way back to Conneaut's harbor. By the end of June most smallmouth will have returned to the big lake, though the bay has a good resident largemouth population. Items that factor in include fish populations as well as recent harvest, both from sport anglers and commercial fisherman. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Another top spot in this area is Ruggles Reef, which runs parallel to shore for several miles between these two ports. Most bass caught are between 2 and 4 pounds, but there is good opportunity to catch a hefty 5 or 6 pound bronzeback. The shore fishing can be crowded, and the bite inconsistent, but the chance exists for a wallhanger. However, smallmouth bass in Lake Erie are very widely distributed and are also available to anglers fishing inshore zones with waders, kayaks and other small vessels. Most bass caught are between 2 and 4 pounds, but there is good opportunity to catch a hefty 5 or 6 pound bronzeback. In Lake Erie, finding smallmouth bass is a matter of finding the right bottom structure. There's more than one way to catch big Lake Erie smallmouths, but these 10 tips, . Fewer bass are being pulled off nests, perhaps lowering the level of nest predation. 0000092507 00000 n All of the Lake Erie tributaries are in good fishing shape to start the weekend. ", "Yellow perch are shorter lived than walleyes," Hartman explained. Most smallmouth experts agree that Lake Erie's island area is the best of the best. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. "Last year's hatch, though below average, will also contribute in the years ahead," the biologist added. Hartman said Erie's smallmouth fishery is difficult to assess. "I love it when a plan comes together:" Thomas Allen may have missed a day-starting coffee and chill time, but his planning before a recent turkey hunt in Minnesota had him ready when gobblers showed up earlier than expected, and just before an April winter storm blew in. After spawning, the bass move to the deeper water surrounding their spawning areas to feed and rest before migrating to the deep offshore humps and shoals they call home during the summer and early fall months. 0 As far as western basin largemouths go, the areas around Marblehead and Catawba have been especially productive. The number of bass caught can be outstanding due to the higher concentration of bass in those areas. It can be reached by taking exits 6 or 7 from the Ohio Turnpike (I-80), or Route 2, which follows the lakeshore. This is a popular tourist destination, with numerous facilities for anglers. A depth of 15-35 feet is usually ideal. "Run and gun" is a term tournament fishermen use to describe the technique of running their boats to specific fish-holding structure, making several casts, and then moving on to another area. Hartman expects 2017's yellow perch fishing to be good, particularly within the waters of the western basin. Anglers need to take a vertical approach to fishing for summer smallies. Information must be accurate and the more details that you can include, the easier it will be to piece the smallmouth puzzle together. endstream endobj 14 0 obj <> endobj 15 0 obj <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]>>/Type/Page>> endobj 16 0 obj <>stream The early days of spring are reserved for spawning Walleye. The Bass Islands of Lake Erie are regarded as one of the best smallmouth and walleye areas in North America. Record items such as weather conditions, wind direction, locations and depths of catches, GPS coordinates, bottom types and water temperatures. Popular areas include Ruggles Reef, offshore and nearshore areas out from Vermillion, Fairport, Ashtabula and Conneaut. This can provide some great "in close" action, such as that described at the outset. Top lures include tube jigs, twister tails or deep diving stickbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. The best areas, again, tend to be the ones to the west of the city. This is especially true during summers that lack above average water temperatures. The "Dumping Ground" is found a relative short distance to the northeast of Presque Isle Bay and is popular with anglers launching from this area. St. Clair, sometimes referred to as the "Sixth Great Lake," abuts Metropolitan Detroit and extends into Ontario. Anglers can enjoy an early bass season on Lake Erie to take advantage of the great fishing available for smallmouth bass during spring. In this article, we'll cover some top places to fish for all three species in both states. If you use a spinnerbait, start with a single, silver Colorado blade. The last five New York State record smallmouths have come from Lake Erie, with the current record standing at an impressive 8 pounds, 4 ounces. Walnut Creek is the dividing area between the central b. Presque Isle Bay warms much quicker than the main lake. A tightly grouped mass of bait usually indicates minimal bass feeding activity, while bait schools under attack will appear horizontally elongated or broken up as bass and other predators rip through them. Ohio Division of Wildlife Lake Erie Program Manager Travis Hartman said walleye anglers will still find fish from the 2003 year class, a testament to the species' longevity in Lake Erie waters, as well as the phenomenal size of that spawn. Soft plastics such as grubs, worms, baitfish imitations and other creature baits work best when combined with a drop-shot rig. Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass Fishing Hotspots Map (710 KB pdf file) Spring. More importantly though, an underwater camera can help you to interpret what you see on your LCD. However, smallmouth bass in Lake Erie are very widely distributed and are also available to anglers fishing inshore zones with waders, kayaks and other small vessels. "Regarding smallmouth, I think it's still one of the top destinations in the country for trophy-sized fish. Lake Erie fishing. The bass bite is usually best between 20 and 40 feet of water, however bass can be found deeper. Main-lake anglers should be prepared to work depths from 30 feet to 5 feet. Lake Erie is a smallmouth bass angler's dream come true. On Lake Erie, rocky points between 30 and 45 foot consistently hold smallmouth bass from mid October into November. The length of line between hook and weight can vary from 1 to 5 feet. Give a Gift Water in these places often has more color. Because of Lake Erie's ever changing water clarity and food supply, tactics to catch bass vary as well. Drift fishing also works well. Find gravel. Here's a look at the current picture for these three premier Lake Erie species, as well as how and where to catch them this summer. Cast the rig or simply let it drop over the side of the boat. Pennsylvania's walleye season on Lake Erie begins in early May. In the Huron and Vermillion area, it's wise to explore the rocky near-shore flats, especially near the Huron and Vermillion rivers. 0000372912 00000 n To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. "Yellow perch populations in the western basin currently are as good as we've seen in years," Hartman said. 13 0 obj <> endobj East from Erie in the eastern basin, Northeast Marina is the main boat access off Route 5 about two miles from the New York border. Avoid backlashes by making simple adjustments to your reel and matching your lures to your rod's power and action. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. Add weight 18 inches in front of the lure to get them down. Do It CNC Pro Series Soft Plastic Lure Molds, Live Bait Traps/Storage, Minnow Buckets, Aerators, Do-It Pro Series CNC Soft Plastic Lure Molds, Do-It Essential Series Soft Plastic Molds, FISHING HOT SPOTS MAP-LAKE ERIE BASS ISLANDS AREA. Bedrock flats rarely hold more than a few scattered smallmouths. It wasn't long before a rod bent back, indicating the first walleye of the morning had engulfed a trolled crankbait. Other artificial lures spend too much time out of the fish-catching zone, but jigs get down fast and stay where the fish are. 0000372466 00000 n If you opt for a crankbait, start with a fire tiger pattern. By May bass will be on the move, leaving the deeper main-lake sanctuaries in favor of shallower zones where they will eventually spawn. Smallmouth hotspots off the central basin shoreline are too numerous to mention them all. Reduced harvest is one direct result, plus lighter angling pressure. The Bass Islands of Lake Erie are regarded as one of the best smallmouth and walleye areas in North America. 0000001682 00000 n These units also allow anglers to easily distinguish between several types of hard and soft bottoms, which is important because smallmouth bass spend more than 90 percent of their time over some type of hard bottom. With the bluffs of Lake Erie's central basin shoreline a mere 2 miles distant, my boat's sonar unit displayed an abundance of arches in the 20- to 30-foot depths. The fish move into more identifiable locations, schooling up in what has become traditional spots close to ports. Cast to the fish repeatedly, keeping the lure in front of the fish longer to produce more bites. Bottom bouncer sinkers used in concert with 'crawler harnesses excel, especially for bottom-oriented walleyes. As such, walleye fishing within the western basin tends to wane as summer progresses, while the action in the central basin, from the Huron area eastward, picks up later in July and August. To "hover," point the nose of your boat into the wind and use the trolling motor to hold the boat steady off the edge of the drop. Exits off I-90 to both areas are clearly marked. Below is a list of fishing hot spots during the spring months in the Central and Western Basin of Lake Erie. Smallmouth numbers remain stable and provide the opportunity for not only high numbers of fish, but big ones as well. Depending on depth, combine a to ounce leadhead jig (3/8 oz. The Bassmaster Elite Series also periodically makes tournament stops at our top smallmouth bass fishery and tournament catches are usually spectacular. "So, when you have some years with below-average spawns, you feel it. They come armed to the gunnels with rods, reels, and tackle set to battle with 10- and 12-pound walleye or 5- and 6-pound smallmouth. Boat ramps are available in the Vermillion River. Smallmouth Bass (Shutterstock image) PENNSYLVANIA SMALLMOUTH HOTSPOTS. Those from the 2015 hatch ranged from 11 to 13 inches. Pennsylvania's share of Lake Erie provides two contrasting venues for springtime bass fishing: main-lake areas sandwiched in between Ohio and New York, and the 3,300 acres within Presque Isle Bay. There are several ways to catch active bass near dropoffs, but none are as effective and deadly as the "hovering" technique. Other popular starting points for smallmouth anglers are at Ashtabula and Conneaut. Smallmouth bass will run up many tributaries along the Lake Erie shoreline, but the most popular (due to number of fish and amount of public access) are Cattaraugus Creek, Eighteen Mile Creek, Canadaway Creek and Chautauqua Creek. Subscriber Services. Good locations include Black Rock Canal, Buffalo Harbor and Dunkirk Harbor. Springtime smallmouth action here usually gets started by mid-April, sometimes sooner. I've caught plenty running a Tail Dancer back about 150 feet on thin, braided line. Many of the better shallow flats are west of Presque Isle Bay. 1. Lake Erie fishing in Ohio waters should provide great action this season for bass, walleyes and perch. Each map includes depth contours, structure, boat ramp locations, fishing info and GPS points. Jigs are generally the top lures for springtime smallmouth bass fishing on Lake Erie, where 'shallow' water might be deeper than the 'deep' water in smaller lakes. Rocky rubble, a jumble of rocks of various sizes and shapes, is the best bottom type. Winchester's new Big Bore ammo, available in 10 mm, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., and .45 Colt, is specifically designed for big bears in bear country. The bass weighed 9.33 pounds and was 24.50 inches long. 0000045201 00000 n The truth is, this fishery is all that and so much more. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. The key to successful summer smallmouth bass fishing is to locate bottom structure. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. The shallow flats near Lake Erie tributaries west of the city, namely Elk Creek and Walnut Creek, traditionally gather up local walleyes in May. Many thousands of local and international trophy-seeking anglers ply these waters. 0000145793 00000 n Light jigs dressed with a small soft-plastic grub are another good choice, and more closely duplicate insect nymphs that perch commonly feed on. In this area of the lake, between Conneaut, Ohio and the Pennsylvania border, an . The last five New York State record smallmouths have come from Lake Erie, with the current record standing at an impressive 8 pounds, 4 ounces. Public fishing rights maps for these streams are available for printing. All Rights Reserved. These are the areas off Marblehead and Catawba. Nearly all perch anglers fish from an anchored position, lowering a perch rig (typically a sinker and minnow) to the bottom, and then bringing it back up a few inches. Take Dutch Road or Manchester Road off Route 5 to this area. It shows up on most electronic mapping programs. There are several launch ramps around the bay. It takes about four years for hatched smallmouth bass to recruit to the fishery, where their presence is displayed in angler catches. The length of line between hook and weight can vary from 1 to 5 feet. Presque Isle Bay gets crowded now. Lake Erie fishinginOhio waters should provide great actionthis season for bass, walleyes and perch. As Lake Erie waters warm, post-spawn smallmouths move to deeper water zones where they will hold during the summer months (late June through August). Given decent fishing conditions, by June western basin anglers should fare well drifting/trolling basin areas out away from the island complexes. Even though lake-wide walleye action is driven, in general, by the summer's west-to-east fish movement, central basin waters have local fish, and account for some of the early summer action. Central basin smallies, living in a deeper, colder environment, often don't finish spawning until later in June. Sharp drop-offs to the east of Conneaut, near the Pennsylvania state line, hold bass throughout the summer. The drop shot rig has become very popular among Erie bass anglers as an effective way to fish bait just off the bottom. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. LAKE ERIE 11. Walleye and Smallmouth action from Lake Erie: Bigbass201: 2 1,649 July 04, 2018, 11:52:21 PM by Bigbass201: One last Hot Pond Adventure: dartag: 10 3,140 . DetailsThe Bass Islands of Lake Erie are regarded as one of the best smallmouth and walleye areas in North America. Don't let Lake Erie's size or reputation keep you from catching the biggest smallmouth bass of your career. Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass Fishing Hotspots Map (710 KB pdf file). Bass are found along the entire New York shoreline, with hotspots along rocky structure and drop-offs in 15-35 feet of water. Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Split shot and rubber core sinkers both work. As Lake Erie waters warm, post-spawn smallmouths move to deeper water zones where they will hold during the summer months (late June through August). Turn the legs and thighs of a freshly killed gobbler into comfort food for a chilly spring night. Turn the legs and thighs of a freshly killed gobbler into comfort food for a chilly spring night. Smallmouth bass are the most frequently caught fish species in Lake Erie and fishing trips for smallmouths make up about 25% of all Lake Erie fishing trips for the entire year. To give your bait action, slowly lift and drop your rod tip in a jigging motion. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Shore anglers on the bay often do well fishing the piers of at the mouth of Marina Bay and the walls of the channel leading out from the bay into the main lake. Fishing remained really strong for Ron and Mike. The sandy flats that extend to both the east and west of Marina Bay (a large bay within Presque Isle Bay) often hold bass, which wait along the edge of the emerging weeds to ambush baitfish. A huge school of walleyes had been relating to it in recent weeks. trailer This pattern is likely to be more pronounced this year than most, because there are a couple good year classes of younger fish. The basic progression of fish concentrations is tributaries (April-May), harbors and canals (May), open lake reefs and shoals (May-June). Also, they caught two of their personal best smallmouth weighing in at 5.6 and 5.5 pounds. 0000372687 00000 n Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. The best smallmouth bass fishing of the entire year is in the spring on Lake Erie's nearshore reefs, harbors and tributary streams. Smallmouth bass will run up many tributaries along the Lake Erie shoreline, but the most popular (due to number of fish and amount of public access) are Cattaraugus Creek, Eighteen Mile Creek, Canadaway Creek and Chautauqua Creek. Start with areas that are farthest from the boat ramp and fish your way back, not spending any more that 30 minutes in any one spot. | Rocky rubble, rubble piles, humps, holes, drop-offs and ledges are all areas that will hold bass. Whether you are fishing Erie's main-lake shoreline or one of the large, protected bays, springtime smallmouth movements revolve around the spawn. Some of the best, particularly in the summertime, are found at the artificial reefs located in front of Lakewood. Contact the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau, 109 Madison Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452; or call (800) 441-1271. Areas such as Myers Reef, Evans Bar and Van Buren Reef have traditionally been among the top destinations for summer bass anglers. The south wall is accessed from the mainland. This page is available in other languages, Great Lakes/Niagara River/St. This technique is great when you know fish may be found in particular areas. The bass spawn later as you move east, with western basin smallmouth spawning activity peaking in mid-May, the central basin spawn usually peaking in late May, and in the deep, clear waters of the eastern basin, bronzebacks will spawn between early and mid-June. What could be better than a deep-fried nugget? Fish over 5 pounds are common and mules over 7 pounds are never out of reach. Smallmouth bass start moving into tributary streams in mid to late April and will stay through May. Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Whether you launch from the shores of Pennsylvania or Ohio, you'll have some great places to fish for smallmouth bass, walleyes and yellow perch. Also, be aware of shoreline features such as beaches, riprap walls or gravel banks, which give an indication of what may be below the water's surface.