The fourth largest Great Lake, Lake Erie is smallest in terms of volume due to its relatively shallow depth, an average of 62 feet.

The lake’s western basin is only 25-30 ft. deep on average, which can make it a rough ride in a small boat when the wind picks up. That same characteristic makes it the warmest of the chain, a plankton machine and one of the most productive for fish. The water warms faster and cools faster, giving it a longer ice-fishing season. Fully half the fish in the Great Lakes are in Lake Erie. And the best fishing is in the cooler waters of the Canadian side of the lake.

Lake Erie’s walleye fishery is ranked among the best in the world with catches averaging in the 5- to 6-lb. range and as large as 10-12 lbs. Trolling is the most common method for walleye fishing, with anglers targeting drop-offs and mid-lake humps.

Ice fishing for walleye is almost as popular with a string of resorts from which to choose.

Perch also make great fare for ice fishers. Perch fishing can be especially good in early spring, as Lake Erie’s shallow, productive waters make it especially hospitable. The Erie shore can be thick with perch and anglers line wharves and docks in the spring to land them.

Salmon fishing is a big draw in the summer. Also, steelhead of up to 20-30 lbs. are not common. Brown trout and lake trout are also caught. Brown trout can be tricky to catch. They can often be found fairly close to shore. Lake trout tend to prefer cooler water, and thus may be a little further out.

One of the side effects of the arrival of invasive species such as zebra mussels is clearer water due to filtration by the molluscs. As a result, there has been an explosion in perch and smallmouth bass in Lake Erie such that catches of 30-60 a day are often reported.

Bass fishing peaks in October when the fish migrate in cooler temperatures to shallower waters. Bass generally prefer warmer water than many other species, and can often be found closer to shore. Fly fishing for bass is very popular on Lake Erie. Make sure your gear is up to the challenge of these fat footballs that can tip the scales at 8 lbs. or more.

Other species include sunfish, carp, rainbow smelt, alewife and white perch. Carp are also abundant in Lake Erie, growing to a large size.