We’re officially a month into the season on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay, and I’m just now coming up for air.
We wrapped a 13-day stretch for Big Fat Bass Guide Service with about half of those being doubles. Long days, a lot of fish, and a lot of great people in the boat. I’m grateful for everyone who’s come out with us so far this spring, whether it was chasing perch or smallmouth, and for those of you already on the schedule moving forward.
This spring has been exactly what you’d expect on Erie. It’s been inconsistent (weather-wise), but very rewarding if you’re paying attention. We’ve had plenty of rain, some really nice warming trends, and then the inevitable cold fronts that reset things.
The most recent shift brought east and northeast winds after a stretch of south and west winds. That kind of change doesn’t just make it uncomfortable. It moves water, changes current around the peninsula, and relocates fish. When that happens, the bite usually slows at first. Not because the fish are gone, but because they reposition and often become less aggressive.
That’s where the separation happens. If you keep fishing the same way, it feels like they disappeared. If you adjust, you can still have a really solid day.
In those conditions, slowing down becomes important. Jerkbaits need longer pauses. Moving baits need to move slower than you think. If you’re dragging something, it often pays to really creep it. The biggest thing is recognizing what changed and responding to it instead of forcing what worked yesterday.
The last couple of weeks chasing smallmouth have been a great example of how dynamic this fishery is in the spring. The warmer stretches, especially with west winds, pushed warmer water into the bay. We saw mid to high 50s in parts of the bay while the main lake was still hanging in the upper 40s to low 50s around Erie.
That temperature difference pulls fish in waves. Some start pushing shallow. Others stop on deeper staging areas and sit there until conditions line up for them to move again. Every day has been a little different because of that.
We’ve spent a lot of time targeting those staging areas and nearby transitions. Fish move in, group up, and then slide out. If you stay around them and adjust with the conditions, you can stay on fish consistently.
As far as baits go, it’s been a mix. Blade baits (Fish Sense Binsky being our favorite), swimbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, tubes. Nothing revolutionary. The difference has been how those baits are being fished and when they’re being used.
One of our best days over the past couple weeks came on one of the coldest. Air temperature never got out of the 30s, and we still had a 111 fish day. That kind of day usually surprises people, but it shouldn’t. The cold actually positioned those fish tighter on deeper areas. Instead of being spread out, they were grouped up and feeding.
We’ve had multiple days like that recently, with hundreds of fish caught across trips. When those prespawn fish load into the right areas, it can get very good in a hurry.
Looking ahead, we’ve got another slight warm-up followed by cooler temperatures again. It feels like another push of fish is happening right now. That usually means more fish showing up on those staging areas, including some of the better prespawn females. If conditions line up, there should be some really strong windows of fishing.
As we get closer to May, I also start thinking about what’s coming next. Summer on Lake Erie means shifting some focus toward walleye, specifically casting for them. That’s something we’ve leaned into more over the past few years, and it’s become one of our most popular trips.
It’s active fishing. You’re casting, working a bait, feeling the bite. It’s a completely different experience than trolling, and for a lot of people, it’s a lot more enjoyable. It also pairs really well with bass fishing, and we run a lot of mixed trips that keep things interesting and keep those Douglas rods bent all day.
We’re pretty well booked through most of June already, but there are still a few openings late in the month. If you’re thinking about a summer walleye trip or a mixed trip, now is the time to plan it out. June 23-25, 27, 29-30.
Spring on Erie is never about everything going right. It’s about reading what’s happening and making the right adjustments. If you do that, you can stay on fish through all of it.
And when it comes together, there aren’t many places that fish like this.
Book a Trip with Big Fat Bass Guide Service
If you’re looking for a Lake Erie fishing guide this season, whether it’s for smallmouth bass, perch, walleye, or lake trout, we’d love to get you out on the water.
Big Fat Bass Guide Service is built around helping you learn, catch more fish, and experience Lake Erie the right way.
Reach out now to plan your trip.
Tight lines,
Captain Destin DeMarion
724-790-4232 (4BFB)
Big Fat Bass Guide Service
DestinDeMarion.com
Gear Discounts for Clients & Blog Readers:
Doc’s Tackle: Contact me directly for exclusive discounts on rods, reels, and terminal tackle.
Douglas Rods: Ask me about deep discounts on any rod in the lineup.
Angler Tungsten: Use code “DD20” at AnglerTungstenCo.com
ShredFin Apparel: Use code “DEMARION15” at ShredFin.com
Amphibia Eyewear: 20% off with code “Destin” at amphibiaeyegear.com
Lake Erie Smallmouth Fishing FAQ (Spring / Prespawn)
When is the best time to fish for smallmouth bass on Lake Erie?
The prespawn period, especially late April through May, is one of the best windows of the year. Fish are feeding up, moving in waves, and can group up on staging areas. That combination gives you a real shot at both numbers and size if you’re around them at the right time.
Where are smallmouth located on Lake Erie in the spring?
It changes daily, but most fish are either staging just off spawning areas or beginning to push shallow during warm stretches. A lot of our better fishing this time of year happens on deeper staging spots near flats and bay entrances, especially around Presque Isle Bay and the mouth of Lake Erie.
How do weather changes affect smallmouth fishing on Lake Erie?
Wind direction and cold fronts play a big role. East and northeast winds can reposition fish and slow things down at first. That usually means you need to slow your presentation and fish more deliberately. The fish are still there, they’re just not as aggressive.
Can you still catch big smallmouth on cold days?
Some of the best days come in less-than-ideal weather. Cold, stable conditions can actually group fish up tighter on staging areas. That’s when you can run into those high-number days and some of your bigger prespawn fish at the same time.
Is May a good time to book a Lake Erie fishing trip?
It’s one of the best times of the year, especially for smallmouth. You’ve got fish moving, feeding, and grouped up. It’s also a great time to mix in different techniques and stay on active fish throughout the day.
Do you offer trips for walleye as well?
Yes. As we get closer to summer, Big Fat Bass Guide Service shifts some focus to casting for walleye on Lake Erie. It’s an active style of fishing and a great option if you want to keep fish for the table. We also run mixed trips that combine bass and walleye. June-October is the prime window for walleye or mixed trip opportunities.
