Warm weather has finally arrived in Erie, Pennsylvania, with air temps hitting the 70s this week. Combine that with the recent full moon, and you know what that means—love is in the air for the bass.
Current Conditions
Presque Isle Bay is sitting right around 60°F, which is prime spawning temperature. Meanwhile, the main lake is still a bit behind, with temps in the low to mid 50s, and slightly warmer water around the mouth of the Bay.
We’re in that transitional window—prespawn, spawn, and postspawn fish are all present, especially in the Bay. The main lake is largely in prespawn, but warming quickly and not far off from a major spawn wave.
Other Species Notes
- Walleye:
Anglers are catching them at night near creek mouths, while others are finding success trolling during the day—from the shallows out to deeper drop-offs. The bite is picking up with the warming water and is only going to get better.
- Lake Trout:
There are still good reports of lakers being caught while trolling near “The Mountain”, east of Erie, close to the New York line. If you’re targeting trout, this zone remains a solid option.
- Perch:
We’ve landed some big, sporadic postspawn perch in Presque Isle Bay, but most of the larger schools have pushed back into the main lake after their spawning cycle.
What to Look For
In the Bay:
- Spawning fish are locked onto shallow flats and marina areas.
- Fry guarders and postspawn fish are hanging around and just outside the shallows, feeding up.
- Prespawn fish are still staging too—look for 5-20’ drops and hard spots adjacent to spawning grounds.
- Find the right area, and you can really get into a pile of fish.
In the Main Lake:
- Mostly prespawn fish, but signs of change are coming fast.
- Focus on chunk rock flats and subtle depressions—perfect staging zones.
- Warmer water is pushing activity around the Bay mouth. Try Thompson Bay flats and the Hammermill stacks.
- Prespawn fish may range from the shallows out to about 30 feet.
Bait Tips
- Soft plastics are shining: tubes, drop shot baits, ned rigs, senkos, flukes, and swimbaits are all getting bit.
Pro Tip: If the bite gets tough, downsize your presentation. - Hard baits like jerkbaits, spybaits, and crankbaits are also producing well. The Alabama rig can also be very effective in May.
- Some anglers are having success trolling and dragging live bait, but we focus exclusively on casting with artificial baits for bass during our trips, but could connect you with some great options if you prefer to troll for bass or utilize live bait presentations.
May & June = Big Fish
May is always a month of change, but it’s a great time to land a trophy smallmouth—especially near the main lake. This month alone we’ve gone from four layers of clothes to sunburns, and the fish have kept biting through it all.
Want in on the action?
We still have a few dates open this month:
➡️ May 15, 21–22, 27, and after 10 AM on the 28th
If you can’t make May, June is shaping up to be just as good, thanks to a colder-than-usual spring holding fish in prespawn/spawn longer than usual.
➡️ June 2-7, 9-10,12-14, 16-20, 23-24, 27-28, 30th
Level Up Your Game
- Smallmouth School: A two-day instructional trip focused on fish location, electronics, and pro-level decision making. Perfect for anglers wanting to learn how to consistently find and catch more and bigger fish.
- Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS) Walleye Trips: Learn the new way of catching trophy walleye through casting, not trolling—just like the top pros are doing. I’ve had real success using bass-style FFS strategies on the walleye scene, and I’m excited to help others do the same.
📅 Book now to lock in your date! Whether you’re chasing bass or looking to elevate your walleye game, we’ve got the experience, gear, and knowledge to help you succeed.
🎣 Fish With a Former Bassmaster Elite Series Pro — Join Big Fat Bass Guide Service for your next adventure!
Tight lines,
Captain Destin DeMarion
Big Fat Bass Guide Service
Want to save on great ShredFin apparel? Use code “DEMARION15” here.
