It’s hard to believe we’re already turning the page from spring into summer on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. Over the past few months, we’ve experienced just about everything Mother Nature could throw at us, from five-layer mornings to sunshirts, buffs, and sunscreen. Water temperatures, fish locations, and dominant patterns have all changed dramatically, and now we’re entering one of my favorite times of the year on Lake Erie.
Summer means offshore smallmouth bass, suspended walleye, electronics, and a lot of learning opportunities for anglers looking to better understand how fish behave and move throughout the season. We’ll dive into what’s happening now, what to expect in the coming weeks, and even touch on some fall planning, as many of my prime fall dates are already beginning to fill.
Summer Smallmouth Bass Patterns on Lake Erie
This past month has been one of transition. June is often a changing of the guard on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. For bass, the spawning cycle is largely wrapping up while post-spawn and early summer patterns begin taking hold.
The main lake is typically a little behind Presque Isle Bay, which warms more quickly and often attracts fish earlier in the season. Strong wind periods can also mix water throughout the system, especially on the main lake, slowing or accelerating the transition depending on conditions.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that water temperature is often more important than the calendar. Two areas only a few miles apart can fish completely differently depending on wind direction, recent weather, and how much warmer or colder the water is. Pay close attention to those temperature changes, especially this time of year.
Around Erie, I generally consider the primary spawn window to run from early May through mid-June in Presque Isle Bay, with the main lake often running slightly behind. The spawn to post-spawn transition can be one of the more challenging periods of the year. Fish are often scattered, moving, and in varying stages of aggressiveness.
Some fish remain shallow, others suspend or relate to mid-depth structure, and some have already begun moving toward their traditional offshore summer locations. My advice is to stay open-minded and let the fish tell you what they want.
Finesse presentations often shine during this period. A drop shot, Ned rig, tube, spybait, and hair jig are all excellent options. Presenting your bait naturally is critical. Often less action and more subtle presentations get the nod. Don’t be afraid to soak a bait a little longer than normal, either.
These fish have been pressured heavily for the past few months, and while they need to replenish after the spawn, they can still be surprisingly finicky, especially the bigger fish.
Recently, we’ve had our best success with drop shots, Ned rigs, spybaits, and some topwater presentations during the right feeding windows.
The Mayfly Hatch Is Beginning
I’ve also started seeing mayfly activity increase around Lake Erie.
The mayfly hatch is one of the most important natural events of the summer and can impact everything from smallmouth bass and walleye to perch and panfish. As these insects emerge, fish have access to an abundant food source and often take full advantage of it.
This can influence lure selection, presentation style, and even feeding windows. Smaller finesse presentations often become even more important, but timing matters too. Fish that have been actively feeding on insects can sometimes become more difficult to trigger when they’re already full.
I recently noticed large numbers of mayfly husks floating on the surface, so the hatch is definitely underway.
Lake Erie Walleye Fishing Continues to Impress
The walleye bite has been exceptionally good and has picked up right where it left off in 2025.
Many of the same areas that produced last year continue to hold fish, and the overall quality has been excellent. We’ve been catching a lot of healthy fish in the 18-22 inch range, along with a steady mix of larger fish pushing into the upper 20-inch class.
One thing that’s been especially fun is watching bass anglers discover just how enjoyable summer walleye fishing can be. Using electronics to locate suspended fish and then casting or jigging to them creates a very active experience that many anglers don’t realize exists on Lake Erie.
We’ve been experimenting with some new presentations this season and have found a couple that have been extremely productive. I’ll also be linking an upcoming Wired2Fish article when it posts that we recently worked on with our friend Nick Petrou, covering some of our jigging approaches and thought processes.
Currently, we’ve been targeting many fish in the 45-70 foot range, although there are certainly fish both shallower and deeper depending on conditions. The fishery is healthy, the bite is consistent, and there are opportunities whether you’re casting and jigging like we do or utilizing other productive techniques such as bottom bouncing and trolling.
For anglers looking for fish to pull some drag, fill the freezer, and experience one of Lake Erie’s best summer fisheries, July through early October is shaping up very nicely do so.
Why Summer Is One of My Favorite Times on Lake Erie
A lot of anglers think of spring and fall when they think about Lake Erie, but summer offers some incredible opportunities.
This is the time of year when offshore smallmouth bass patterns become more defined, suspended walleye schools become easier to target, and electronics become incredibly valuable tools for locating fish.
For anglers who enjoy learning, summer may actually be the best season on the calendar.
Fish behavior becomes more predictable, offshore structure becomes increasingly important, and understanding electronics can dramatically shorten the learning curve. It’s a great time to improve your skills while still having opportunities to catch quality fish.
Electronics Learning Trips to Continue Growing
We’ve been mixing in more electronics-focused learning trips lately, and they’ve become some of my favorite days on the water.
Over the years, I’ve spent thousands of hours using electronics across the country in a wide variety of fisheries, seasonal patterns, and tournament situations. While technology continues evolving rapidly, the goal remains the same: understanding what fish are doing and applying that information effectively on the water.
I’ve owned and spent significant time with Lowrance, Humminbird, and Garmin systems, including Humminbird 360 and all major forward-facing sonar platforms. My current setup utilizes Humminbird 360 and Lowrance ActiveTarget 2, and I’m continually refining how these tools can help anglers become more efficient and more confident on the water.
If you’re looking to better understand your electronics and how to apply them in real-world situations, we can jump on your boat and work through it together in real time.
Fall Trophy Fishing Opportunities
While summer is just getting underway, many of my prime fall dates are already spoken for.
Fall remains one of my favorite seasons on Lake Erie for trophy smallmouth bass, giant lake trout, and quality walleye. We’ve also discussed a pair of destination trip opportunities at the St. Lawrence River/1000 Islands on September 23-24 and Buffalo, New York, on October 5-8.
Current fall availability includes:
October 1-3, 12, 13-14 (4-hour slots), 15, 19, 23, 26 (4-6 hour slot)
November 2 (4-hour slot), 3, 9-14, 16-18, 21, 24-25, 28, 30
For anglers specifically interested in giant lake trout, the mid-October through late-November window is typically the best time of the year.
Thank you all for your continued support. Whether we’re fishing together, reading fishing reports, discussing electronics, or simply following along online, I appreciate the opportunity to share what I’ve learned and continue learning alongside all of you.
Tight lines,
Captain Destin DeMarion
724-790-4232 (4BFB)
Big Fat Bass Guide Service
DestinDeMarion.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is summer a good time to fish Lake Erie?
Absolutely. While spring and fall often get most of the attention, summer offers excellent opportunities for both smallmouth bass and walleye. Offshore bass patterns become more established, large schools of walleye move into the Central and Eastern Basins, and fish can often be located consistently with modern electronics.
What is the best bait for Lake Erie smallmouth bass in June?
It varies daily, but some of the most productive June techniques include drop shots, Ned rigs, tubes, spybaits, hair jigs, and topwater lures during feeding windows. Water temperature, weather conditions, and spawning stage all play a role in determining the best presentation.
Can you catch walleye on Lake Erie without trolling?
Yes. One of my favorite ways to target summer walleye is by casting and jigging to suspended fish using electronics. This active approach allows anglers to locate fish, make precise presentations, and enjoy a more hands-on fishing experience.
What depths are summer walleye found in on Lake Erie?
Walleye can be found at a variety of depths depending on forage, water temperature, and conditions. During the summer, we often target fish in 45-70 feet of water, although they can certainly be found both shallower and deeper.
Do you offer electronics training trips?
Yes. Electronics learning trips are available for anglers wanting to better understand Lowrance, Humminbird, Garmin, Humminbird 360, and forward-facing sonar systems. These trips focus on helping anglers interpret what they’re seeing and apply it more effectively on the water.
When is the best time to catch trophy smallmouth bass on Lake Erie?
Lake Erie produces trophy smallmouth bass throughout much of the season, but my favorite windows are generally spring and fall. Fall, in particular, offers opportunities for both numbers and size as fish feed heavily before winter.
When is the best time to target lake trout on Lake Erie?
For anglers interested in lake trout, the period from mid-October through late November is typically the most productive. This is one of my favorite opportunities for anglers who enjoy chasing big fish with electronics and active presentations.
How do I book a Lake Erie fishing trip?
You can contact me directly through the website, by phone, or through social media to discuss available dates, trip options, species preferences, and seasonal opportunities.
