Multiple Lake Erie Options

It is shaping up to be another phenomenal season so far this year. All species in Lake Erie have been biting well this year from walleye to catfish. June is a great month for nice weather and fast action fishing. As we move into June the post spawn walleye will begin to get hungry. There will be pockets of fish for casting-anglers, a couple miles from shore around the reef complex to the islands area and beyond. These fish will be caught by casting gold Colorado bladed worm harnesses in 20-30 feet of water as the annual bug hatches start to occur. Normally the big mayfly hatch happens early to mid-month and will fuel an excellent bite in the west end of the lake, north of west sister island. Fish will be feeding heavy on the mayfly larvae and when weather allows the travel there, the fishing is excellent, and the boats will be plentiful. Also, the deeper waters on the Camp Perry Firing range such as the B-C-D cans and the bass islands will be holding fish, likely spread out for trolling-anglers. Anyone who plans to troll has many options on what lures to use but if wanting to troll worm harnesses a 1, 1-1/2, or 2-ounce inline weight with a variety of color harnesses trolled 30 to 60 feet behind planer boards at 1.2 to 1.5mph should get you a couple fish in the box. If wanting to avoid getting your hands dirty in worm dirt, “Michigan Stinger” spoons are a popular, easy option. Trolling these behind 40ft. jet divers at anywhere from 30-60 feet behind planer boards should also box a few walleye for you. Lastly, your regular stick baits such as bandits, reef runners, and even flicker minnows can be productive in getting some bigger fish. For other species, smallmouth bass fishing will be good with many nice fish to be caught in 12-20ft. of water on tube baits and drop shots as they finish up spawning. Also, many of the white bass will still be hanging in the Sandusky and Maumee rivers early in the month to finish up their annual spawn. After they leave the rivers they can still be caught at river mouths/piers in the early mornings and evenings. Panfish will also still be in many of the marinas off the lake and taking minnows and jigs under a bobber. Lastly, catfish may provide some nightly fun anywhere you can get a line wet. Sandusky Bay and river are great places to wet a line for a night filled with many big channel cats. Either way, expect a fish filled June and remember any day on the water is better than a day at work. See ya out there,

Capt. Jonny Fickert. Sea Breeze Charters,

877-616-7780

(seabreezecharters.com)