08. 09. 19

Perch-Walleye Fishing Report Lake Erie Michigan 08-09-2019

Posted in: Fishing Reports

Walleye fishing has slowed to a crawl. You can still catch between 8 and 12 walleye but you have to work at it. We marked lots of fish but can’t get them to go with any consistency. The Banana Dike in 14′ of water, around #1 buoy off the Raisin River in Brest Bay and from the Michigan dump along the MI-OH north were decent. Bandits seemed to produce the best at about 80 to 90 ft back, color didn’t matter. The walleye we have been catching are fat and healthy. 

Walleye fishing Lake Erie, Stray Cat Charter Fishing

My sister with a Lake Erie walleye

The Perch bit has been slow, no limit catches yet. we averaged about 35 per trip. I spent 3 day’s checking spots from the Toledo Light, water intake to West sister and the Canada boarder near Middle Sister with not much production. I caught perch at all the spots but not a lot for all the fuel I burned and time spent. Yesterday I fished for 5 hours from E buoy all the way to Fermi with many stops in between, we caught a handful of perch but lots of small white perch and drum were caught.

07. 25. 19

Walleye Fishing Report Lake Erie Michigan 07-25-2019

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Lake Erie, Walleye

Lake Erie walleye fishing report

Walleye fishing is still good in the Western Basin. We had a real slow day Monday morning due to a cold front and a storm Sunday night. Fishing picked right back up on Monday afternoon. I’m still fishing wiggle warts on one side 60 to 80 ft. back, seemed anything with a red bill was out producing ones with out. The other side I’m running mini discs 70 ft. back with Silver Streak Jr.s  color didn’t seem to matter, I believe it’s the larger profile. High divers set at 3 42 to 46 back and low divers set at 1 32 to 35 back. My speed varies from 2.2 knots to 2.4 knots quartering into the wind seemed to produce better. 

Stoney Point seemed to have a good number of catchable walleye in 22 to 24 ft of water with no weeds. The Water Intake in 22ft water was a producer to. Seemed E Buoy area really slowed as with over the Michigan dump, the area around Turtle Island slowed but still holds fish. Around the contours just in front of the Edison plant is holding fish to.

Walleye fishing Lake Erie, Stray Cat Charter Fishing

Walleye fishing Lake Erie aboard the Stray Cat

As with all things be kind to your fellow trollers. Don’t sit with your back to the helm staring at your rods, that’s what your buddies are for, it’s a good way to piss off other trollers. I ran over someone’s gear who was not paying attention and approaching from my port side and I’m the bad guy? Remember a boat approaching from your starboard has the right of way  

07. 25. 19

Walleye Fishing Report Lake Erie Michigan 07-25-2019

Posted in: Fishing Reports

Lake Erie walleye fishing report

Walleye fishing is still good in the Western Basin. We had a real slow day Monday morning due to a cold front and a storm Sunday night. Fishing picked right back up on Monday afternoon. I’m still fishing wiggle warts on one side 60 to 80 ft. back, seemed anything with a red bill was out producing ones with out. The other side I’m running mini discs 70 ft. back with Silver Streak Jr.s  color didn’t seem to matter, I believe it’s the larger profile. High divers set at 3 42 to 46 back and low divers set at 1 32 to 35 back. My speed varies from 2.2 knots to 2.4 knots quartering into the wind seemed to produce better. 

Stoney Point seemed to have a good number of catchable walleye in 22 to 24 ft of water with no weeds. The Water Intake in 22ft water was a producer to. Seemed E Buoy area really slowed as with over the Michigan dump, the area around Turtle Island slowed but still holds fish. Around the contours just in front of the Edison plant is holding fish to.

Walleye fishing Lake Erie, Stray Cat Charter Fishing

Walleye fishing Lake Erie aboard the Stray Cat

As with all things be kind to your fellow trollers. Don’t sit with your back to the helm staring at your rods, that’s what your buddies are for, it’s a good way to piss off other trollers. I ran over someone’s gear who was not paying attention and approaching from my port side and I’m the bad guy? Remember a boat approaching from your starboard has the right of way  

07. 18. 19

Walleye Fishing Report Lake Erie Michigan 07-18-2019

Posted in: Fishing Reports

It seems you can’t troll past a spot on the Western Basin of Lake Erie without catching a walleye. Best action I’ve seen is around the #1 bouy off the Raisin River north to Stoney Point to in front of Fermi. There are fish south of the bouy, but the farther you go south of the bouy the less fish there are. There are also walleye between #1 and the Edison plant in 16 to 18 feet of water. Out in front of Bolles Harbor on an angle towards #1 has produced limit catches for my buddies. Seems like the fish are in that area first thing in the morning feeding. As the sun rises they tend to sink to the

Walleye fishing Lake Erie, Stray Cat Charter Fishing

Lake Erie Walleye fishing

bottom, so you may have to lengthen your leads to 80 ft. I’ve been running wiggle warts 60 to 70 ft. back with a trolling speed of between 2.7 and 3 mph depending on the angle of my troll. Best colors are ones with a red bill and gold belly. Straight upwind seems to produce the best for me. Mini discs and spoons have produced just as well at 65 ft back and they help keep the bits of string weeds off the spoons. Check your baits often for weeds. High drivers at 45 (set at 3) and low divers at 32 ft (set at 1) with Silver Streak Jr.  are hot some days and not so other days.

Give way to fellow trollers there are plenty of fish for everyone so don’t crowd each other. We are all out to have some fun and catch some fish. Remember any boat approaching from your left has the Right of Way. 

07. 18. 18

Lake Erie Charter Fishing Trips

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Just for Fun, Lake Erie, News, Perch, Walleye

A trip on a charter fishing boat is a great way to spend a day on the water

Looking to spend a few hours or a whole day fishing this summer? Michigan’s waters offer plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of fish, and summer is an ideal time to try. Charter fishing businesses throughout the state offer a great way to explore Michigan’s world-class fisheries. 

Licensed charter captains provide the boats and all the equipment, plus the knowledge needed for a fun half-day or day on the water. Charter businesses in Michigan help children and adults have memorable fishing experiences – whether it’s reeling in a fish for the first time or trying your hand at catching a new species.

“Last year 72,000 anglers in Michigan participated in more than 18,000 charter fishing trips on the Great Lakes and other navigable waters,” said Donna Wesander, a DNR fisheries technician who tracks charter fishing data. “These anglers caught nearly 300,000 fish that included a variety of salmon and trout, walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and muskie.” 

Lake Erie walleye charter trip in Michigan

Al with a Lake Erie walleye caught aboard Stray Cat Charter Fishing

When hiring a professional charter, customers need only to provide personal supplies and fishing licenses. Those licenses can be purchased online (mdnr-elicense.com) or through a DNR customer service center or license agent.  

Find a fishing charter for a specific location by searching online for charter operators and regional charter fishing organizations, contacting the local chamber of commerce or city tourism office, or visiting the Michigan Charter Boat Association website at michigancharterboats.com. 

02. 14. 18

Michigan Free Fishing weekend February 17, 18, 2018

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Just for Fun, News, Perch, Walleye

Everyone in Michigan is invited to fish for free Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17 and 18, for the 2018 Winter Free Fishing Weekend. A license is not required to fish those two days, but all other fishing regulations still apply.

Free FIshing Weekend

Free Fishing Weekend Feb> 17, 18, 2018

These two days make up #MiFreeFishingWeekend – an annual effort to promote Michigan’s world-class fishing opportunities. While many individuals and families will bundle up and head out to fish for free on their own, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources points out that there are many events organized throughout the state to get you started, too. Here are a few: read more

01. 04. 18

Michigan Free Fishing Weekend this February 2018

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Just for Fun, Lake Erie, Perch, Walleye

Experience #MiFreeFishingWeekend Feb. 17-18 and enjoy the outdoors

Grab a fishing rod and enjoy some of the finest fishing Michigan has to offer during the 2018 Winter Free Fishing Weekend Saturday, Feb. 17, and Sunday, Feb. 18. On those two days, everyone – residents and non-residents alike – can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply.

In addition, during #MiFreeFishingWeekend, the Department of Natural Resources will waive the regular Recreation Passport entry fee that grants vehicle access to Michigan’s 103 state parks and recreation areas. Several locations also may be hosting official 2018 Winter Free Fishing Weekend events that are perfect for the whole family.

Michigan has been celebrating winter’s #MiFreeFishingWeekend every year since 1994 as a way to promote awareness of the state’s vast aquatic resources. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing are a perfect match.

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07. 25. 17

Charter fishing operations offer great options for novice and experienced anglers

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Lake Erie, News, Perch, Walleye

For those who don’t have a fishing boat, may not have the correct fishing gear, don’t know how to fish, are new to an area, or are just looking for a day of fun, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources suggests considering a charter fishing trip. Charter fishing businesses are located throughout the state and offer a great way to experience Michigan’s world-class fisheries.

Lake Erie walleye charter aboard the Stray Cat Monroe, MI 48145

Sam walleye fishing Lake Erie

Licensed fishing charters make a full or half-day of fishing easy and enjoyable, as they provide the boat and all the equipment, plus the knowledge needed for a day on the water. Fishing charters are for anyone, children or adult, from the first-time angler to those who are experienced. Charter businesses in Michigan help anglers of all experience levels enjoy memorable experiences – whether it’s reeling in a fish for the first time or trying one’s hand at catching a new species.

In Michigan in 2016, more than 70,000 anglers participated in more than 17,000 charter fishing trips on Great Lakes and specific navigable waters. These anglers caught more than 244,000 fish of various species, with about half of the fish caught being trout and salmon.

read more

05. 21. 17

Tagged fish provide DNR with critical information

Posted in: Fishing Reports, Just for Fun, News

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources again this year is encouraging Great Lakes anglers who catch marked and tagged fish to report them. The DNR has used the coded-wire tag program to mass mark various fish species in Michigan since the 1980s. Mass marking provides critical data as fisheries biologists look to determine the value of naturally reproduced fish versus stocked fish, and lakewide movement of fish.

The coded-wire tag program involves implanting a small, coded-wire tag, which is invisible to the naked eye, into the snout of a fish. A fish containing a coded-wire tag can be identified because its adipose fin (the small, fleshy fin between the dorsal and tail fins) has been removed. An angler who catch a tagged fish then can record needed information about the fish, remove and freeze the fish’s snout, and drop it off at a designated location. A statewide list of dropoff locations can be found on the DNR website.

For years the DNR primarily tagged Chinook salmon and lake trout as part of its mass marking effort in Lake Huron. Tagging these fish has helped biologists understand more about lakewide natural reproduction and how many wild fish are available in the Great Lakes. It also has helped determine if the percentage of wild fish varies from year to year and how fish stocking locations contribute to lake and river fisheries. Additionally, it provides insight into fish movement and where fish are stocked compared to where they are caught.

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05. 19. 17

Michigan DNR Encourages Boater Safety

Posted in: Just for Fun, Lake Erie, News

National Safe Boating Week set for May 20-26

With boating season around the corner, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers encourage boaters to make their pastime more enjoyable by following important safety tips. Saturday, May 20, marks the start of National Safe Boating Week and the DNR wants all Michigan residents and visitors to have fun while exercising caution and obeying the law.

walleye fishing charter Lake Erie Michigan

Lake Erie walleye fishing

The DNR encourages boaters to:

Wear a life jacket. About 85 percent of drownings resulting from boating accidents in the U.S. are due to people not wearing life jackets. In Michigan, anyone under the age of 6 must wear a life jacket when on the open deck of any vessel, but wearing a personal flotation device is recommended for everyone.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Nationally, alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents where the primary cause was known.

Make sure the boat is properly equipped and equipment is in good working order. In addition to legally required equipment, such as life jackets and fire extinguishers, always carry a first-aid kit, nautical charts and an anchor. Make sure navigation lights work properly.

File a float plan. Always inform family or friends about the details of your trip. Let them know when to expect you back. Give them phone numbers for the local emergency dispatch center and U.S. Coast Guard in case you don’t return on time.

Stay alert. Watch for other boats, swimmers, skiers and objects in the water. This is especially true when operating in crowded waterways, at night and when visibility is restricted.

Carry a marine radio or cell phone. Be prepared to call for help if you are involved in or witness an accident, your boat or the boat of another becomes disabled or you need medical assistance. Program the numbers for the local emergency dispatch center and U.S. Coast Guard in your cell phone. Make sure your phone is fully charged but be aware that there often are coverage gaps on the water.

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