July has flown by.
Overall, fishing has been good, but it’s also been one of the more dynamic stretches of the season. Fish have continued settling into their true summer patterns, water temperatures have climbed, and both bass and walleye have been on the move as conditions change throughout the lake.
If you’ve been on the water recently and felt like the fish weren’t where they “should” be, you weren’t alone.
Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass
Most of the better smallmouth have settled into their offshore summer homes.
That doesn’t necessarily mean every fish is in 40 feet of water, but many of the better fish are relating to offshore structure in the 30 to 50-foot range. Isolated rock, reefs, subtle contour changes, and schools of bait have become much more important.
Summer is also when finesse techniques really begin to shine.
Drop shots, Ned rigs, tubes, football jigs, jighead minnow presentations, and other natural presentations often outperform power fishing this time of year. The fish are still feeding, but they generally become more efficient and selective with where they position.
In Presque Isle Bay, largemouth are following a different script. As we get into August, heavy grass continues developing, creating excellent opportunities for flipping and punching vegetation for quality fish. We’ll be mixing a handful of those trips into the schedule over the next several weeks.
Summer Winds Can Change Everything
One thing many anglers underestimate on Lake Erie is just how much a few days of wind can change fishing.
Strong winds can reposition water temperatures, move bait, and temporarily scatter fish. The shallower portions of the lake can respond much faster than deeper water, which is one reason fishing can seem inconsistent after a major blow.
It isn’t that the fish disappear.
They simply relocate to where conditions are most favorable.
Understanding those changes is often far more important than simply returning to yesterday’s waypoint.
Lake Erie Walleye
Walleyes continue following two things this time of year: cooler water and baitfish.
Some of the most consistent fishing often develops over deeper water in the 70 to 100-foot plus range where temperatures tend to remain more stable throughout the summer. That’s one reason the fish can seem to “move” overnight. They’re constantly adjusting to changing conditions.
There are still plenty of walleyes to be caught shallower, especially depending on wind direction and recent weather patterns, but those fish often move around much more frequently. We are still catching them casting and jigging. Reaction baits have been solid, still jigging, but also a trusty jighead with plastic or on a tough day, a piece of crawler.
One thing that’s been especially enjoyable this summer has been the number of electronics instruction trips we’ve done..
Whether someone has recently installed LiveScope, ActiveTarget, MEGA Live, or simply wants to better understand mapping, side imaging, and fish behavior, it’s rewarding helping anglers shorten the learning curve. My goal isn’t just helping someone catch fish for a day. It’s helping them understand why the fish are there so they can consistently find them on future trips.
Kings of Bass
The Kings of Bass tournament wrapped up another fun weekend of competition.
Tournament fishing is always a great reminder that execution matters more than anything else.
We committed to a long run, spent our largemouth day flipping heavy grass in Presque Isle Bay, then shifted gears to offshore smallmouth the following day. Like many summer tournaments on Lake Erie, adapting to changing conditions was just as important as having good areas.
We ended up 4th (coincidentally, Tyler and I’s lowest finish together), got a check, and even got a nice birthday present also winning a Garmin Livescope bundle and Beatdown Outdoors mount. I’d say it was a solid birthday!
Looking Toward Late Summer and Fall
We’re entering another transition over the next several weeks.
Bass will continue spending much of their time offshore while beginning to group more consistently around productive structure.
Walleyes will continue following cooler water and bait as conditions slowly begin shifting toward fall.
Lake trout are another species that becomes increasingly exciting. As fall approaches, they begin moving shallower from their deepest summer water and group together, creating outstanding jigging opportunities. They fight incredibly hard and have become one of my favorite fisheries to introduce clients to later in the season.
Fall Brawl
Beginning in mid-October, the Fall Brawl returns to Lake Erie.
With more than 10,000 participants, it’s one of the largest freshwater fishing tournaments anywhere and offers one of the best prize structures and payouts I’ve seen. It’s always an exciting time to be on the lake, whether you’re fishing the tournament or simply hoping to catch the walleye of a lifetime.
Looking Ahead
August still has a few openings, and there are only a handful of dates remaining this fall for bass, walleye, lake trout, and electronics instruction trips. If you are looking to get out this fall, definitely don’t wait, as much of our schedule is already full. Contact us to get out for some great fall fishing.
I’m also already booking spring 2027. Many of the prime spring dates are spoken for long before the boats hit the water. If there’s a specific time you’ve been hoping to fish, it’s worth getting it on the calendar early.
As always, thank you to everyone who has climbed in the boat this season. I appreciate the support, the conversations, and the opportunity to share what makes Lake Erie such a special fishery. I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season has in store.
Tight lines,
Captain Destin DeMarion
724-790-4232 (4BFB)
Big Fat Bass Guide Service
DestinDeMarion.com
Gear Discounts for Clients & Blog Readers:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to fish Lake Erie for smallmouth bass?
Lake Erie offers excellent smallmouth fishing from spring through late fall, but each season fishes differently. Spring is known for shallow pre-spawn and spawning fish, while summer sees many of the larger fish move offshore to reefs, rock, and other structure. As water cools in the fall, feeding activity increases and trophy opportunities become even better.
How deep are smallmouth bass in Lake Erie during the summer?
While some bass remain shallow, many of the better fish spend much of the summer relating to offshore structure in roughly 30 to 50 feet of water. Exact depth depends on water temperature, baitfish, weather, and recent wind conditions, so locating productive structure and using electronics is often more important than fishing a specific depth.
Is casting or trolling better for Lake Erie walleye?
Both catch fish, but they offer very different experiences. We specialize in casting and jigging for Lake Erie walleye, which keeps anglers actively fishing throughout the day instead of simply waiting for planer boards to go. It can be incredibly effective, especially when fish are grouped around bait or relating to specific depth zones.
How do strong winds affect fishing on Lake Erie?
Wind is one of the biggest factors affecting fishing on Lake Erie. Strong winds can move warmer and cooler water, reposition baitfish, and temporarily relocate bass and walleye. Fish don’t disappear after a blow, but they often shift to areas where conditions are more favorable. Understanding those changes is a big part of consistently finding fish.
What electronics do you teach on your instruction trips?
Electronics instruction is customized to each angler’s setup and experience level. We commonly cover Garmin LiveScope, Lowrance ActiveTarget, Humminbird MEGA Live, side imaging, down imaging, mapping, waypoint management, and interpreting fish behavior. The goal is to help anglers become confident using their electronics long after the trip is over.
When is the best time to book a Lake Erie guided fishing trip?
Spring, summer, and fall all offer excellent opportunities depending on the species you’re targeting. Prime dates often book months in advance, especially during the spring smallmouth season and the fall trophy bite. If you have specific dates in mind, booking early gives you the best chance of getting them.
What species can I target on a Lake Erie guide trip?
We offer guided trips for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, yellow perch (seasonally), and lake trout. Trips can also be tailored toward electronics instruction for anglers wanting to improve their understanding of sonar, mapping, and fish behavior.
When does the Fall Brawl begin?
The Fall Brawl begins in mid-October and runs through November. It’s one of the largest freshwater fishing tournaments in North America, with more than 10,000 participants and an outstanding prize structure. It’s also one of the best times of year to target trophy Lake Erie walleye.
