Another month on the water is officially in the books here on Lake Erie, or “the Pond” as I’ve affectionately called it for years.
May was an outstanding month of chasing smallmouth bass on both Presque Isle Bay and the main lake. Conditions changed constantly from the beginning of the month to the end, which definitely kept me on my toes, but that’s part of what makes Lake Erie such a special fishery. No two weeks are ever exactly alike, and adapting to those changes is a huge part of consistently staying on fish.
Over the course of the month, we had the opportunity to fish with anglers from all over the country, and even another country, all connected by the same pursuit: chasing giant Lake Erie smallmouth bass.
This past week alone was filled with double trips and long 10-12 hour days, but honestly, the people we shared the boat with made every bit of it worthwhile.
That’s one of my favorite parts of guiding on Lake Erie.
Fishing has a unique ability to bring together people from completely different backgrounds, careers, and places in life. Getting the opportunity to build relationships, share knowledge, and help people experience memorable days on the water is something I never take for granted.
May Smallmouth Fishing on Lake Erie
As I talked about in my previous Lake Erie fishing report, May is often one of the biggest transition months of the season for smallmouth bass.
Depending on water temperatures, weather trends, moon phases, and location, fish can simultaneously be in pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn phases throughout different parts of the lake.
When things line up correctly, it can also be one of the best windows of the entire year for both quality and numbers.
As water temperatures continued warming throughout May, more fish concentrated into predictable areas where anglers could target them effectively without running all over the lake searching.
One of the things that makes this time of year so fun is the variety of productive techniques available.
Some of our most effective baits throughout May included:
- Jerkbaits
- Crankbaits
- Swimbaits
- Chatterbaits
- Tubes
- Ned rigs
- Drop shots
- Senkos
Some days the fish wanted aggressive moving baits and would absolutely crush reaction presentations. Other days, or even later the same day after conditions changed, slowing down became critical.
That’s one of the biggest lessons Lake Erie continues teaching over and over again.
When fish stop fully committing to power fishing presentations, slowing down and fishing methodically can completely change the trajectory of a trip.
Some of our best catches in May came after making those adjustments.
June Smallmouth Bass Outlook
As we move into June on Lake Erie, many of the same seasonal patterns from late May will continue carrying over, especially during the first half of the month.
There will still be opportunities to target fish in all three phases:
- Pre-spawn
- Spawn
- Post-spawn
Many of the same presentations will continue producing, although finesse-style techniques often begin taking on a larger role as more fish transition toward post-spawn patterns.
That doesn’t mean power fishing opportunities disappear entirely. Lake Erie always has windows where fish get extremely aggressive. But generally speaking, slowing down and fishing more precisely tends to become increasingly important as June progresses.
June Walleye Fishing on Lake Erie
One thing I’m especially looking forward to over the coming weeks is the daytime summer walleye bite beginning to ramp up.
Last June, the Lake Erie walleye fishing was outstanding, and based on how things have progressed in the Western Basin this spring, I believe we could be in for another really strong season as large migratory schools continue moving back into the Central and Eastern basins for summer.
Over the last several years, I’ve really grown to love targeting suspended summer walleye using casting and jigging techniques with light line and forward-facing sonar.
It’s interactive, technical, visual, and incredibly fun.
Even outside of guiding, a large portion of my own summer “fun fishing” time is spent chasing walleye, refining presentations, and continuing to learn more about how these fish behave relating to bait, structure, and open-water movement using my Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 electronics.
For anglers looking for an alternative to traditional trolling, casting and jigging for Lake Erie walleye is an awesome experience and one that continues growing rapidly in popularity.
Learning, Teaching & Continuing to Grow
This past winter, I had the opportunity to teach at the Eastern Lake Erie Walleye School alongside National Walleye Tour pros Dylan Nussbaum and Craig Sleeman.
Spending time with other high-level anglers is always valuable. It creates opportunities not only to share concepts and experiences, but also to continue refining your own understanding of fish behavior, seasonal movement, electronics interpretation, and presentation adjustments.
No matter how long you’ve been fishing, there is always more to learn.
That pursuit of continual growth is a big part of what still drives me both competitively and as a guide.
Summer & Fall Lake Erie Fishing Trips
June is nearly full at this point, with current full-day availability in the June 25-26 window.
July through September continue to be prime time on Lake Erie for:
- Casting and jigging for walleye
- Deep water smallmouth bass fishing
- Mixed bass/walleye trips
- Presque Isle Bay largemouth fishing
- Electronics learning and application trips
These summer patterns can offer some of the most consistent and educational fishing opportunities of the entire season, especially for anglers wanting to better understand electronics, offshore fish positioning, seasonal movement, and modern casting/jigging approaches.
If you’re considering a trip later this summer or into fall, it’s always best to plan ahead and secure dates early.
And a reminder of the two destination fishing trip windows this fall:
- September 23-25 — 1000 Islands / St. Lawrence River, New York
- October 5-9 — Buffalo, New York / Eastern Lake Erie
Both fisheries are world-class opportunities to target giant smallmouth bass during prime seasonal windows.
Thank You for the Continued Support
I truly appreciate all of the support from clients, readers, followers, and fellow anglers.
My goal has always been simple: to share what I’ve learned through decades of experience on Lake Erie, professional tournament fishing at the highest levels, time on the water, scientific understanding, and countless hours studying fish behavior and electronics.
Whether we fish together in the boat or you simply follow along through these reports and educational content, I hope something I share helps you enjoy the process more and become more confident on the water.
I’m still learning every single day myself, and that pursuit never really ends.
Tight lines,
Captain Destin DeMarion
724-790-4232 (4BFB)
Big Fat Bass Guide Service
DestinDeMarion.com
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Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Fishing on Lake Erie
What is the best time to fish for walleye on Lake Erie?
Lake Erie offers excellent walleye fishing from late spring through fall. June through September is prime time for targeting large schools of fish throughout the Central and Eastern Basins.
Do you offer casting and jigging trips for Lake Erie walleye?
Yes. Big Fat Bass Guide Service specializes in active fishing techniques, including casting and jigging for suspended walleye using modern electronics and forward-facing sonar. These trips are a great alternative for anglers who prefer a more hands-on experience than traditional trolling.
What species can I target during the summer on Lake Erie?
Summer trips commonly target:
- Walleye
- Smallmouth bass
- Largemouth bass (Presque Isle Bay)
- Mixed bass and walleye opportunities
Do I need fishing experience to book a trip?
Not at all. Trips are tailored to all skill levels, from beginners looking to learn the basics to experienced anglers wanting to improve their understanding of seasonal patterns, electronics, and fish behavior.
When should I book a summer or fall Lake Erie fishing trip?
Prime dates often fill well in advance, especially during the summer and fall fishing seasons. Booking early gives you the best opportunity to secure your preferred dates and target species.
Are destination fishing trips available?
Yes. Limited destination opportunities are available throughout the year, including trips to the St. Lawrence River and Buffalo, New York during peak smallmouth bass fishing periods.
