Lake Erie Fishing Reports & Blogs
Lake Erie Reports & Blogs with Captain Destin DeMarion
Heading into July on Lake Erie: Hot Walleye and Summertime Bass Fishing
I’ve been fully embracing the shorts-and-sandals weather lately — and here in Erie, PA, we know to cherish every warm, sunny day we get. With this warm-up, Lake Erie’s main lake temperatures have climbed into the low 70s, and fish are responding. The bass are wrapping up their spawn and transitioning into more classic early summer patterns. We’re seeing smallmouth start to slide off into deeper water, which only gets better as we move into July. Bass Update Presque Isle Bay is thinning out as more fish migrate to the main lake. Right now, productive depths range from 10 to 35 feet, with fish gradually
Lake Erie Fishing Report: Early Summer Bass and Walleye Report
It’s been a wet and weird spring on Lake Erie, but with next week’s projected heat wave, we should be firmly into our early summer patterns in the next couple of weeks. First, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s been reading these reports and booking trips this spring. This season has exceeded all expectations, and I’m incredibly grateful. Leaving the corporate world and putting a pause on tour-level fishing was a big risk—but through prayer and the steady support of so many of you, my family is thriving and at peace with that decision. I’ve been able to spend more
June Lake Erie Fishing Report: Weird Spring, Hot Start to Summer Smallmouth
We’ve made it to June! Through the wind, rain, and cold of spring 2025 here in Erie, PA, summer is finally knocking. As I write this, it’s expected to hit 87°F — just a few days after barely reaching 50. I’m ecstatic to finally trade in the boots for flip flops and get back to chasing fish under blue skies. A Strange Spring Across Lake Erie Staying in touch with guide buddies and “hammers” (great anglers) across the East and West Basins of Lake Erie, the consensus is clear: it’s been a strange spring. We’ve seen plenty of quality smallmouth caught across all three basins,
A Fish, A Prayer, and a Lost Rod: One Wild Smallmouth Story
Some days on the water, something happens that reminds you just how unpredictable — and incredible — fishing can be. I took my friend/client Gary out recently to chase smallmouth. Since it was just us, I actually got to fish too — which is a nice treat for me (the guide). Most of the time, when I netted a fish for Gary, I’d set my rod down quickly — often still in the water. Early in the trip, I heard a clank, turned around, and my favorite Douglas rod and reel combo was 90% overboard. The reel barely caught the gunnel. I managed to save
Lake Erie Fishing Report: Wrapping Up May and Looking Ahead to June
As May winds down and June rolls in, Lake Erie smallmouth bass are finally getting that signature spunk back. After a brief cooldown, we’re seeing water temps in the mid-to-upper 50s on the main lake and low 60s in Presque Isle Bay—perfect for active bass. Right now, we’ve got fish in all three phases of the spawn. In the Bay, postspawners are showing up in offshore areas, but prespawn and spawning fish are still around. Out on the main lake, the spawn is going in some areas, with many fish still waiting to go—especially in the cooler zones away from the Bay. When fish are
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