Lake Erie Fishing Reports & Blogs

Lake Erie Reports & Blogs with Captain Destin DeMarion

22 inch Giant Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass with Big Fat Bass Guide Service

Mid-July Lake Erie Fishing Report: Big Bass and Walleye Insanity

Summertime, and the livin’s easy…Well, if you’re a walleye fisherman on Lake Erie, that’s definitely the case right now. This summer is already shaping up to be one of the best walleye seasons we’ve seen in years — maybe ever. Limits are being taken daily, and the bite just doesn’t stop. We’ve been mixing in more walleye trips this season along with our first fishing love — bass. Bass Update:The bass are in full summer transition. They can be a little picky, but when it’s on, it’s on. We recently boated a gorgeous 22” Lake Erie bronzeback that looked like it was built in a

Read More »
Box full of Lake Erie walleye 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

Read More »
Captain Destin DeMarion driving on Lake Erie with his daughter

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

Read More »
Mike from Georgia with a big Lake Erie bass in June

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,

Read More »
Destin DeMarion June Lake Erie Smallmouth bass fishing on Presque Isle Bay.

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

Read More »

Guide Trip Greatest Hits