The dog days are approaching on Lake Erie… or maybe they’ve already come and gone—hard to say with this weather. It’s been a hot one, and not just temperature-wise. The walleye bite has stayed red-hot all summer, and the smallmouth bass are kicking into gear again, thanks to some cooler mornings and more stable conditions. We’ve even seen a few bonus perch show up around the walleye grounds.
Clients have been boating a mixed bag of species lately—walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass, perch, lake trout, white bass, rock bass, and the occasional sheepshead. It’s been an action-packed summer.
Bass Bite: Early and Late Are Key
Right now, smallmouth are most active during the early morning and evening hours, with some midday windows when conditions line up. We’re still fishing in that 20–40′ zone, targeting rock structure like humps and flats with the right mix of substrate. Ned rigs, tubes, drop shots, and jighead minnows continue to put fish in the boat. We recently got to collaborate on a Wired2Fish article thanks to Nick Petrou on Top Baits for Big Smallmouth. There are some great smallmouth experts included. Check out the article here.
We also had a great time fishing the biggest tournament of the year out of Erie, PA—Kings of Bass. It was a cool mixed format with Day 1 focused on smallmouth and Day 2 on largemouth. We were fortunate to boat over 25 solid smallmouth on the first day—some pushing the 5 lb mark—and back it up with quality largemouth up to 4 lbs. Hats off to Frank Malek and the FishUSA crew for organizing the biggest turnout in years. It’s a fun, competitive event on a world-class fishery.
Walleye: Full Coolers and Quality Fish
Walleye fishing has stayed excellent, with most anglers limiting out in a variety of areas. We’ve had good success from the dumping grounds to Shades Beach in 50–80′, casting and jigging with ⅜ oz jigheads and a mix of hard baits. The Mountain and the New York line have also been productive.
Trolling continues to work well with worm harnesses and hard baits, but our casting and jigging clients are loving the more interactive approach—actively hunting down fish and working them into biting. Coolers have been full, and we’ve seen some chunky 25–28″ fish on recent trips.
What to Expect in August
As we head into August, expect to find fish hugging that 50–55′ depth zone as the thermocline sets in. Walleye will often suspend over deeper water but hold tight to that range. The bass pattern should stay consistent, with key feeding windows continuing in the mornings and evenings.
Thinking About a Fall Trip?
We’re already hearing from lots of folks planning their fall fishing getaways. If you’re looking to chase trophy smallmouth, lake trout, Fall Brawl walleye, or those famous “jumbolina” yellow perch, now’s the time to lock in your dates. Our calendar is filling up fast for prime fall windows. We’ll fish as deep into the fall as conditions allow.
Thanks to everyone who has fished with us this year or followed along through these reports. Your support means the world, and we look forward to seeing you out on the water!
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Tight lines,
Captain Destin DeMarion
724-790-4232 (4BFB)
Big Fat Bass Guide Service
DestinDeMarion.com
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