There’s a stretch of the calendar on Lake Erie, that lives between ice season and the chaos of full-blown spring. It might not be the most flashy or action packing part of the season, but it can be of the most interesting and productive windows of the year.
As winter begins to loosen its grip, Presque Isle Bay consistently comes to life earlier than the main lake. Protected water, darker bottom, and shallow depths allow it to warm faster, even while ice still lingers elsewhere. What follows is essentially an extension of ice fishing season, only now it’s accessible by boat.
This is when jumbo perch begin grouping heavily as they prepare to spawn. The fish are concentrated, often aggressive, and still operating in a quasi-winter mindset. It’s a unique overlap where ice-season behavior meets open water opportunity.
For me, this has always been one of the most enjoyable fishing times of the year. The techniques mirror finesse smallmouth fishing more than most people realize. Light line, subtle presentations, and paying attention to fish mood and positioning matter just as much here as they do later in the spring. It’s also one of the best tune-ups you can get before the lake shifts hard into prespawn smallmouth mode, which typically ramps up in late March and early April.
Once water temperatures continue climbing, the bay changes quickly. My perch guiding window slowly closes and attention turns to fully to brown fish. But that early stretch rewards anglers who are watching closely and ready to move when the timing is right.
Conversations That Matter
This time of year is also when I enjoy slowing down just enough to listen, learn, and exchange ideas that could be impactful on the upcoming season. That’s been a big part of co-hosting the Smallie Talk Podcast – Great Lakes alongside Josh Chrenko of Achigan.
This week’s episode features Joey DiCienzo and Joey Teofilo, two exceptional anglers from north of the border. Last season, they averaged over 30 pounds per day in a Canadian tournament at the Thousand Islands – crushing records all while fishing river waters only. The conversation digs into how they think, adjust, and approach high-level smallmouth fishing. We dive into tactics, but it’s more about decision-making, which is where real improvement happens.
The show is available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, with some excellent guests lined up moving forward. These conversations sharpen my own thinking, and I hope they do the same for anyone listening.
Show Season Rolls On
This week also brings the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo, running February 19 through 22 in the Niagara Falls area. It’s an event that continues to grow and raise the bar on education.
I’ll be spending most of my time with Doc’s Tackle, but I’m also involved in a couple of seminars I’m genuinely looking forward to. Saturday morning at 9:30 I’ll be part of the Eastern Lake Erie Walleye School, focused on forward-facing sonar, alongside Craig Sleeman and Dylan Nussbaum. Later that day at 1:00, I’ll join a bass fishing roundtable moderated by BassFan with Brad Brodnicki and Joe Fonzi.
These longer-format discussions are where the most value lives. Context, nuance, and experience matter far more than shortcuts.
Preparing for a Season That’s Closer Than It Looks
With the recent stretch of mild weather, it’s officially time to shift into full prep mode. The boat is getting a full once-over. Hardware is being tightened, fuses and power connections checked, batteries tested, and all the small details addressed before the pace picks up.
I’m also making a few changes to my electronics setup this year with an eye toward efficiency during guide trips and tournaments. Once everything is finalized and tested on the water, I’ll share what changed and why.
Between that and ongoing tackle prep, storage tweaks, weight distribution, and dialing in efficiency, it’s that familiar late-winter rhythm. There’s still a bite in the air, but momentum builds every day. I’m thankful to have my good friend Mark Hughes helping with some of the finer details along the way.
What the Ice Is Telling Us
Ice fishing on Lake Erie this winter, particularly in the west basin, has been some of the best anglers have seen in years for walleye. Strong numbers, healthy fish, and consistent action are all encouraging signs.
Historically, winters like this tend to bode well for the open water season when those fish migrate east in the spring and early summer. Last year was an outstanding walleye year, and there’s little reason not to expect another strong one ahead. It’s never too early to start thinking about summer casting trips, something I’ve grown to enjoy more every season.
Perspective and Gratitude
I’m truly grateful that much of the spring calendar is already full, with a few dates remaining in May and June and the possibility of squeezing in a half day or two in April. Thank you to everyone who continues to place their trust in me and I’m excited to embark into this 2026 season.
Lake Erie has a way of reminding us that things change quickly. Ice forms. Ice disappears. Windows open and close. Paying attention, and being ready when they do, is when you get rewarded.
Tight lines,
Captain Destin DeMarion
724-790-4232 (4BFB)
Big Fat Bass Guide Service
DestinDeMarion.com
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