Lake Erie Fishing Reports & Blogs
Lake Erie Reports & Blogs with Captain Destin DeMarion
Fall Fishing on Lake Erie: Tournaments, Guiding, and Planning Ahead
We recently got back from an exciting trip to Buffalo and the Niagara Falls area of Ontario, Canada, where we fished the Canadian Tire Open and the University of Buffalo Fishing Team/Memorial Tournament all in one weekend. My friend Alec Poland, a West Virginia University college angler, and I teamed up to tackle the Big Pond and Niagara River for these two derbies. The weather had its usual fall unpredictability, with heavy, shifting winds and a cold front rolling through. This is pretty normal for the Lake Erie region at this time of year, but it kept us on our toes. We spent most of
October Fishing Report: Fall Bites Heating Up on Lake Erie
As I’m writing this, cooler weather is finally pushing into the area after a long stretch of hot, dry conditions here on Lake Erie. For early October, water temperatures are still holding at summertime levels — but that will change quickly. Cool nights and lower daytime highs should push fish into full-on fall feeding mode very soon. Baitfish are starting to group up, with many moving into shallower areas while plenty still remain out deep. The lake feels right on the edge of that big seasonal transition we look forward to every year. Bass The bass bite has been a little tougher the past couple
Lake Erie Fall Fishing Report: Bass, Walleye, Perch & Trout Heating Up
As we inch closer to my favorite time of year on Lake Erie—the true fall bite—the fishing is only getting better. Whether it’s bass, walleye, perch, or trout, they’re all beginning to group up, move toward their wintering areas, and feed heavier each day. Water temps have been holding in the high 60s, but with shorter days and cooler nights, I expect we’ll see that number drop soon. While I’m not a fan of winter, I’ll gladly trade a little warmth for the best fishing conditions of the year. September Transition: A Fun Puzzle September is always a month of transition. This year, we had
Fall Fishing on Lake Erie: Trophy Fishing Opportunities
Fall is arriving on Lake Erie, and with it comes one of the most dynamic times of the fishing season. September is traditionally a transition month, with dropping air and water temperatures triggering cold fronts, winds, and full lake turnover. Once waters dip below 60°F and stabilize, the fall bite begins in earnest—and it continues until winter conditions make open-water fishing impossible. At this time of year, both fish and bait are on the move. Following baitfish and adjusting your depth, tactics, and techniques is key. One of the unique advantages of Lake Erie in the fall is the opportunity to target multiple species in
Lake Erie Turnover: A Unique Summer Phenomenon That Fires Up the Bite
Lake Erie is such a fascinating place. The fishing alone is world-class, but the ecosystem as a whole is an ever-changing, dynamic environment. Every season brings its own shifts in weather, water, and wildlife, and sometimes we get to witness one of its more dramatic events firsthand — something we call “the turnover.” What Is the Lake Erie Turnover? In short, turnover happens about once a summer here on Erie (not the full fall turnover). As the lake warms, it naturally separates into layers — with warmer water on top and colder, denser water beneath. When we get a sustained hard wind, especially from the
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