Fishing Lake Erie

J

jlsparks

New member
I'm planing a trip to fish lake Erie this spring. I plan to launch at the San Dusky area but have no clue as to a good marina to stay at. I would like to be close to the Islands so I could do the short 3 mile run to Bass Island if the weather permits, Any fishing tips for the area would be greatly apprecated as well.

Jim
 
Jim,

I dock Valkyrie in the western basin of Lake Erie and fish the islands area regularly. i would suggest that you don't dock in the Sandusky area for a for reasons. The biggest is that you will have a six mile daily run out of Sandusky Bay which is shallow, choppy and has lots of boat traffic, both pleasure craft and freighters leaving the coal docks in Sandusky Bay. That run is a pain! Another is that Sandusky is not that nice of a town and there is a gang problem.

I suggest that you dock at my marina, Bass Haven, in East harbor on the Marblehead Peninsula, just east of Port Clinton. East Harbor is a mile long and a mile wide, at its largest, and it's a mile run to the lake through a very protected channel, unless its blowing NE. Also, that will put you six ,miles from Kelley's Island and 13 from South Bass Island (Put-in-Bay). The the Bass Islands are also close.

Bass Haven is a nice mom-and-pop marina and the folks are friendly. Bait shops, stores and restaurants are fairly close in this rural area as are ramps. Bass Haven has a lift, but no ramp.

We are going to be cruising the Carolinas in May, but if we are around I'll be glad to help with the local knowledge. The bait shops are your best bet for fishing info.

BTW: About 3-4 years ago someone from your area asked the same questions and got these same answers, but never made the trip. Was that you?

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
You might be right about the post a few years back, but this year I plan to make it happen. Any advice on a ball park time when the early walleye fishing is under way? I fished Milwaukee harbor last year in April after ice out and was to early as the fishing was real slow and we only got a few browns and lakers. I'll google the marina for a phone number and try to book a couple weeks. I was hoping to see you at Guttenburg last summer and talk about the fishing but maybe this year. Thanks for the info guys

Jim
 
Hi Jim,

We had hoped to make Guttenberg, but had some conflicts.

I don't know about when the walleyes really take off. I know that many guys do the ice-out thing and catch the really big females, but the catch is severely limited by the state at that time.

Your best bet is to call Hi-Way Bait and tackle at 419-734-3601. Don't ask the guys at Rickard's, as they seem to like messing with fisherman and send them to where the fish aren't hitting! The guys at Hi-Way are friendly and helpful and about a mile from Bass Haven.

We'll be in the Carolinas cruising from May 3-19, so if you're in Ohio after that I'll be glad to help you out however I can and maybe we can wet a line and hoist a few colds ones over a pizza at Put-in-Bay.

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
That sounds like a great trip and end of May or early June will work. How do you do the boat launch thing. Do you know of a ramp close by that you use to put in or do you use the hoist? I'm sure the area has a lot of eating places etc. and marina has bait. I'll call the place you mentioned and I think I had a hot line # I could call for a fishing report. Sounds like a good trip and I look forward to meeting you this spring for a cold one. Have a great trip south and thanks for all the info.

Jim
 
Jim,

I usually ramp launch, but haul out with the hoist for a good wash down, but that's at the end of the season. Let me know when you plan on launching and I'll arange my schedule to help and we'll run and get yoiur vehicle.

I'll check fishing on my end as the time approaches and see what I can find out. Eirieau Marina on the Canadian side (65 miles from Bass Haven) often has a good early steelhead run and I'll run that down, too.

When you call Bass Haven, tell them that Nick on the C-Dory Valkyrie (dock B-15) referred you and see if there is dock space near me. I'm in the old section near the lift and the locals who have trailers at the marina dock there so there is less traffic and, having a C-Dory, we don't get nearly as many questions about the boat compared to docking elsewhere in the marina. I'm not antisocial and do love to talk about Valkyrie, but it was that or get a take-a-number machine!

Looking forward to meeting you,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
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