More specifically, between the Ohio line and the mouth of Walnut Creek. Fish over 5 pounds are common and mules over 7 pounds are never out of reach. Bass fishing is allowed year-round in Pennsylvania's Lake Erie waters. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. Hartman said Erie's smallmouth fishery is difficult to assess. Whether you're fishing out of your own boat or participating in a charter trip, fishing opportunities abound on Lake Erie. Shale covers most of the near-shore bottom from Fairport eastward to Pennsylvania. The best areas, again, tend to be the ones to the west of the city. What could be better than a deep-fried nugget? All Rights Reserved. The key to successful summer smallmouth bass fishing is to locate bottom structure. When running and gunning, start by making a list of spots you want to try. For information about local services, contact the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1850 Austinburg Road, Austinburg, OH 44010, or call (440) 275-3202, Ohio's liberal season also allows bass fishing year-round in Lake Erie. The shore fishing can be crowded, and the bite inconsistent, but the chance exists for a wallhanger. xref Keep your lures close to bottom. Perch don't migrate nearly to the extent that walleye do. Ruger's popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. Lake Erie fishing is one of the most significant angling options in both Pennsylvania and Ohio, summoning folks from far distances seeking its bountiful rewards. Give a Gift Yellow perch and walleye populations are also fine, with several year classes present. Most bass caught are between 2 and 4 pounds, but there is good opportunity to catch a hefty 5 or 6 pound bronzeback. It's likely from a combination of factors, one being the no-harvest spring season that was instituted in 2004. Reel in the slack line so you can directly feel the weight on the bottom and any strike on your bait. In fact, sometimes the fall smallmouth fishing quality exceeds the summertime experience. The artificial reefs near Cleveland are also good springtime brown bass spots. Anglers need to take a vertical approach to fishing for summer smallies. Each map includes depth contours, structure, boat ramp locations, fishing info and GPS points. "So, when you have some years with below-average spawns, you feel it. Various shades of brown have been productive lately, perhaps because of the shift in the smallmouths' diet to gobies, or perhaps because it resembles crayfish. On an LCD unit, these schools will appear as large, dark masses suspended in the water column, directly over the dropoff. Lawrence River Fishing, Great Lakes and Tributaries Special Fishing Regulations, Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass Fishing Hotspots Map (710 KB pdf file), Railroad trestle (between Route 20 and I-90) to mouth. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. The big lake warms slowly, but the shallow, near-shore water warms first. 0000374113 00000 n Carry a logbook on every fishing trip and jot down any detail of the day that seems relevant. The water in this section of the lake warms quicker, so the bass should be further along in the spawn by June, perhaps even in the post-spawn period. ?_/?/K'g>;;{Oon~:}7>yp.u->\?|tgOo^8\%)H|R {F}V""{Su7hS}Ul]3+#(+{E%5 ! e[7|o/&"rwTo9{]n}l__`DW%5 S,Xg Xxb(2rFhUo99V )g~/`GWP`DW%` D]oQQeW/rRu7BzpUCJ%Z(W0+~ The western basin, which stretches from the mouth of the Detroit River east to the Vermillion River region, is shallow and warms quickly. Target species include smallmouth bass, white bass, sheepshead, and yellow perch. OHIO The bottom of the western basin is mostly vast expanses of silt and sand. Before and after the spawn, smallmouths won't be found far from an easy meal. Reduced harvest is one direct result, plus lighter angling pressure. Bass are found along the entire New York shoreline, with hotspots along rocky structure and drop-offs in 15-35 feet of water. May anglers often get into yellow perch just outside the bay, off the lighthouse, in depths ranging from 40 to 50 feet. The Cleveland metro area provides some good near-shore smallmouth bass opportunities. Now is the perfect time to be on Lake Erie for smallmouth bass in the 5-pound class. Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass Fishing Hotspots Map (710 KB pdf file) Spring. One that's smoked first. 0000372613 00000 n Unique places like Erie, Pennsylvania, have days when the weather permits Lake Erie November fishing. The latest Lake Erie fishing information is recorded weekly and is available by calling 1-888-HOOKFISH. is good for 35 feet of water) with a 21/2 to 5 inch tube. The previous record, a 9.25-pound smallmouth, was caught on Long Lake. Don't crowd other boats, but don't be shy either. The central basin includes several jumping off points that make access to the lake convenient. Presque Isle Bay gets crowded now. 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. Vertical jigging is the ultimate fishing method when smallmouths are in water more than about 20 feet deep. 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. 0000045201 00000 n It's not uncommon to catch several fish in one area, so when you catch a fish, mark the area with a buoy and drift it several times. The depth of their summering area depends on water clarity, available forage, and weather. During autumn, smallmouth are found in the same locations and are caught by the same methods as described above for the summer period. 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. As explained in the Lake page, much of the fishing for smallmouth bass is in Lake Erie. Most smallmouth experts agree that Lake Erie's island area is the best of the best. And though most folks head off-shore to the deeper zones of these trenches, they should take note that there's often a near-shore bite that happens in June, likely comprised of resident fish. What could be better than a deep-fried nugget? "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. Cast the rig or simply let it drop over the side of the boat. Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover. 0000374305 00000 n Paul Sacks (248/819-3192) is a well-known local bass angler. The best smallmouth bass fishing of the entire year is in the spring on Lake Erie's nearshore reefs, harbors and tributary streams. With strong populations of both species, however, it's likely good action will continue for both in 2017 a nice situation. Top lures include tube jigs, twister tails or deep diving stickbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Steve and I make a trip to Lake Erie to catch smallmouth bass. On Lake Erie, rocky points between 30 and 45 foot consistently hold smallmouth bass from mid October into November. Bass nests can be in 10 or more feet of water due to the clarity. Central basin shorelines from Cleveland east to the state line all offer areas of rocky near-shore ledges and humps that hold summertime bass. Avoid backlashes by making simple adjustments to your reel and matching your lures to your rod's power and action. This can happen in May. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish's John Taranto. A key point here: The prevailing winds on Lake Erie are from the southwest. LCD graphs are excellent tools for fishermen if utilized to their full potential. <]>> As noted, younger walleyes, such as those from the 2014 and 2015 hatches, tend to stay tighter to shore. Lake Erie November Fishing Charters for Pennsylvania Smallmouth Bass. Like Lake Erie, the Bay is now designated a "big bass" water. Follow the signs to the park from Interstate Route 90 or Route 5. This pattern is likely to be more pronounced this year than most, because there are a couple good year classes of younger fish. 0000372687 00000 n Although most known for walleye, perch and smallmouth bass, in certain waters at many times of the year you will also find steelhead trout, white bass, rock bass, largemouth bass, catfish and other species. The daily creel limit is five bass, combined species, with a minimum size of 14 inches. Tube baits in shades of watermelon or green pumpkin fished on 1/4- to 1/2-ounce tube heads will cover most situations. Spawning bass prefer shallow flats close to the shoreline, particularly areas with an erratic bottom consisting of sand, chunk rock and gravel. Springtime smallmouth action here usually gets started by mid-April, sometimes sooner. But from mid-April through mid-June, when spawning smallmouths are most vulnerable, anglers may keep one fish per day, and the minimum length is 20 inches. Shallow zones will also hold bass, particularly flats that extend out from incoming streams. Smallmouths invade the shallow water to feed heavily on shiners, smelts, shad, crayfish and, more recently, round gobies. Productive lures used by spinning anglers include stickbaits, crankbaits and other lures that imitate minnows/shiners. Another major smallmouth structure type is bedrock ledge. In windy conditions, a drift sock will help to slow your drift. This will help reference the target so you can reposition the boat accordingly. Normally less than 6ft of water, drifting, approximately 10ft from shore. The quickest way to get here from east or west is via Interstate 90, exiting at Painesville. Cast to the fish repeatedly, keeping the lure in front of the fish longer to produce more bites. Last year the C&R ran from May 1 through June 24. Lake St. Clair is a tremendous smallmouth fishery and is no secret to locals, but on a regional or national level, it gets overshadowed by Lake Erie. One that's smoked first. Fish deep points. After spawning, adult smallmouth move to summer foraging areas at water temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, usually by July. | Within a couple hours, the cooler held our limits of eating-size walleyes and we were on our way back to Conneaut's harbor. These Major League Fishing pros share the best tips and advice they've ever received. When September comes around, you'll find Eck plying the rocky shallows of Erie. Perch populations in central basin waters may be down somewhat. The reef tops out in five to 15 feet, dropping quickly into depths of 25 or so feet. Minnows and crayfish are top live bait offerings, but nightcrawlers and leeches will also work. Smallmouth numbers remain stable and provide the opportunity for not only high numbers of fish, but big ones as well. During autumn, smallmouth are found in the same locations and are caught by the same methods as described above for the summer period. Vast numbers of walleyes migrate eastward as Erie's waters warm, following baitfish. However, many smaller rocky areas along Lake Eries coast also hold bass. One that's smoked first. In this situation, casting jigs is usually more effective. Straddling the border between the US and Canada, this impressive body of water is over 240 miles long and is a dream come true for just about everyone. Water in this bay generally has more color than the open lake water, so be prepared to fish in water less than 10 feet deep. 2017's regulations can be found on the Ohio Division of Wildlife's webpage at www.wildlife.ohiodnr.gov. Oh, sure, there were largemouth populations within embayment areas such as Sandusky Bay. Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. 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. 32 river miles mapped. Unlike walleyes, perch from the record 2003 hatch are now gone.". Starting on the first Saturday of May, use of natural bait is permitted, including minnows and shiners which work well. In the central basin walleyes tend to be taken over deeper water, often 50 to 65 feet, out from the Geneva-Ashtabula-Conneaut areas. Route 2 provides access through Sandusky. Bass can be targeted, but none can be kept. "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. Productive lures include jigging spoons, blade baits and spoonbill jerkbaits; however tube jigs, soft plastics and live bait are angler favorites. Bass Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy. Followers 1062 Catches 83 Spots 22. From late May through late June, fishing is great near shallow reef areas. One that's smoked first. 0000372375 00000 n When bass are scattered over spawning flats, drifting is usually the best producer. There are many baits shops in the Erie area, both on the drive out onto the peninsula, and west and east of the city. 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 Reef complex to the west of the islands near Camp Perry holds May bass. Typically, the first fish show up in April. Many anglers, in this part of the lake, switch over to yellow perch as the walleye fishing slows down. Main lake waters off Catawba and Marblehead are good bass areas, as is Sandusky Bay. One of the easiest to find is Marina Lake in Presque Isle State Park. Embayment fisheries like of Sandusky Bay remain strong. "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. Starting on the first Saturday of May, use of natural bait is permitted, including minnows and shiners which work well. The fish will rise to a lure, but rarely dive for one. You might find smallmouths over these bottom types, but the odds for success increase tremendously if you fish around the bedrock reefs and surrounding gravel bottoms. In fact, perch often make the day when the walleyes are tight lipped. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. 0000145793 00000 n There's more than one way to catch big Lake Erie smallmouths, but these 10 tips, gleaned from more than a dozen years of Lake Erie tournament experience, will help you put bigger smallmouths in the boat from Ohio's western basin to Pennsylvania's Safe Harbor area or anywhere in between. This great Smallmouth Hotspot is a deep water area along a major breakline in Lake Erie. 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. Most smallmouth anglers head west from here to Elk Creek and on to the Ohio border. Give a Gift The smallmouth bass fishing has been heating up around the Lake Erie Islands this week, with tournament anglers last weekend weighing some trophy bass as the big females begin to move shallow to . Tube jigs, drop-shot rigs with soft plastic bodies (ones that mimic round gobies excel), jigging spoons and blade baits can all work when working these deeper ledges. These Major League Fishing pros share the best tips and advice they've ever received. The rig consists of a hook tied directly to the line with a Palomar knot with hook point facing up and a weight/sinker ( to oz) tied to the end of the line below the hook. Underwater cameras are great tools for smallmouth fishermen. The best wind direction includes the word "south" in it, and is light. Though not as successful as the prior year, 2015's was above average. The water will probably be clearer in this area than in the central or western basins. The bass weighed 9.33 pounds and was 24.50 inches long. Subscriber Services. Contact the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau, 109 Madison Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452; or call (800) 441-1271. 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. Males will make beds against these large rocks, requiring them to stand guard over just three sides of the nest. This can provide some great "in close" action, such as that described at the outset. 0000372855 00000 n Main-lake anglers should be prepared to work depths from 30 feet to 5 feet. Boat ramps are available in the Vermillion River. Because of Lake Erie's ever changing water clarity and food supply, tactics to catch bass vary as well. Another top spot in this area is Ruggles Reef, which runs parallel to shore for several miles between these two ports. Stealth presentations for up-close encounters with bass hiding in cover. When using this technique, mark the edge of the drop with a buoy. One good spot is off the clay bluffs near Vermillion. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. 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. 0000145633 00000 n Boat fishing isn't productive right now because the fish are swarming the shallows. That's a shame because it'll produce super catches of smallies. Route 832 leads to the park from either of these highways. Drift fishing also works well. Bottom bouncer sinkers used in concert with 'crawler harnesses excel, especially for bottom-oriented walleyes. Fish over 5 pounds are common and mules over 7 pounds are never out of reach. So, in general, fisheries personnel feel smallmouth numbers are on the increase, though it's difficult to say exactly why, if indeed there is one specific reason. How quickly this migration takes place depends on the weather of the year essentially, how fast Erie's waters warm up. The latest Lake Erie fishing information is recorded weekly and is available by calling 1-888-HOOKFISH. Perch anglers can score well by simply moving away from the pack, and watching their sonar for unmolested fish that are either part of that school, or ones pushed to the side due to fishing pressure. Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass Fishing Hotspots Map (PDF). To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. The rapidly developing largemouth bass fishery in the western basin's near-shore areas adds another component to the bass picture. %PDF-1.4 % This is a popular tourist destination, with numerous facilities for anglers. There's more than one way to catch big Lake Erie smallmouths, but these 10 tips, . Also, they caught two of their personal best smallmouth weighing in at 5.6 and 5.5 pounds. 0000368827 00000 n As far as western basin largemouths go, the areas around Marblehead and Catawba have been especially productive. Lake Erie - Detroit River Bass Fishing Reports . But this doesn't mean anglers don't target perch. Join Thomas Allen and son Tommy on an Iowa turkey hunt that resulted in big toms for both hunters. However, many smaller rocky areas along Lake Erie's coast also hold bass. Below is a list of fishing hot spots during the spring months in the Central and Western Basin of Lake Erie. Turn the legs and thighs of a freshly killed gobbler into comfort food for a chilly spring night. For information about local services, contact the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1850 Austinburg Road, Austinburg, OH 44010, or call (440) 275-3202. is good for 35 feet of water) with a 21/2 to 5 inch tube. A tube jig, hair jig, or soft swimbait, worked down the side of this edge, is often productive. The waters of Lake Erie proper warm slowly. Lake Erie has some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the U.S. Also known as M. dolomieu, bronzeback, bareback bass, or brownie. Tournament News & Results Bass, Walleye, Crappie, Redfish and More, Fishing Tackle & Equipment Found In ODU Articles Best Pricing (NEW). Until mid-June, only one smallmouth or largemouth bass may taken, and it must be over 20 inches. In this article, we'll cover some top places to fish for all three species in both states. It drastically shortens the learning curve, by allowing you to actually see what is underwater and then compare it to the reading on your graph. Concentrate efforts around rocky structure in 15-20 feet of water. In fact, sometimes the fall smallmouth fishing quality exceeds the summertime experience. Don't let Lake Erie's size or reputation keep you from catching the biggest smallmouth bass of your career. I hoped the picture on the sonar screen meant they were still here. Simply long-lining deep diving crankbaits like the Rapala Deep Tail Dancer, or a Reef Runner, will often get the bait deep enough to catch walleyes. Perch are on the increase, and smallies are caught in the 5-to 6-pound range. Some especially productive areas include Seneca Shoal, Woodlawn Bar, Myers Reef, Evans Bar and Van Buren Bay. The Bass Islands of Lake Erie are regarded as one of the best smallmouth and walleye areas in North America. Consistently successful smallmouth fishermen fully understand their LCD fish-finder, which can be used to identify prime bass structure, baitfish or schools of bass.
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lake erie smallmouth hotspots