Fishing Western Lake Erie

People living around the Western Basin of Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St Clair area are "arguably" situated in the heart of the best freshwater fishing in the world. It's is difficult to surpass the smallmouth bass fishing in this great region with all it's rocky shoreline, open water reefs and islands and great spawning areas. The yellow perch population has made a significant turnaround in the past 5 years.

Now we get to the really good stuff. The walleye fishing in Western Lake Erie lays claim to huge numbers of walleyes and several year classes are currently represented. This signifies a better chance to maintain breeding year classes in the future. To the un-educated, a day of fishing that produces big boxes of all large fish, may seem a good thing. However to the knowledgeable fisherman that is alarming. Big fish are immensely satisfying to catch, but if you aren't seeing small fish, the future of the species is in danger. Fortunately recent years have given up good numbers of young fish that speak well for a few years at least.

The walleye run in the Detroit River during spring warming is kind to the fisherman that masters it and starts the fishing for the year with large numbers of walleyes ranging from behemoth monsters during the early part of the season to large numbers of yearling fish in late April and May. The key to this game is conquering wind and current. Boat control is KEY to success. When you learn to manage your boat so the perfect vertical jigging is possible, a number of baits will spur the fish into action. Nearly of equal importance is water clarity. It is extremely difficult to pull fish from dirty water. The angler should search out the cleanest water of the day and work it to find and catch fish. This water color is generally most affected by wind direction and wind strength. Typically one side of the river will be clean and one side will be dirty. On days when the water is crystal clear everywhere in the Detroit River, prepare for a fun day.

Walleye fishing in the main part of Western Lake Erie really picks up steam about Mid June, although weather conditions determine the speed and direction of the movements of the large schools of post spawn walleye. In General these large schools move out of the spawning areas of the south and west part of the basin. They move north in large schools and they turn east when nearing the Canadian shallows. They prefer to nose into the current so extended winds in any particular direction do influence the speed and movement of these schools. For a great day by one of the most knowledgeable and successful walleye fishermen on western Lake Erie, you might contact John Sims who has operated Chante Charters out of Kingsville Ontario for a zillion years.

We aren't finished yet with the good news. Musky fishing in Lake St. Clair is rated at the top of the pile worldwide. Numbers are very good and many big fish are caught by the good anglers on nearly a daily basis. If you want a good day fishing and you want to fish with a charter captain that understands these fish, contact Bob Devine who operates Chartertalk Fishing Guide Service.

Let's finish this up with arguably the most addictive fishing we have the opportunity to experience. For several years running now, deeper waters east of Point Pelee have offered us simply unbeatable rainbow trout fishing. These fish are exciting to catch and available in large numbers generally beginning to crank on good about mid July. Methods of fishing range from wire line, downriggers and using dipsy divers. Fish will even be taken utilizing planer boards and crankbaits. They feed heavily on baitfish. Look for a big school of baitfish and then work that school. You will catch fish when the fish are on and you work the bait fish.

Well this scratches the surface of the fishing available in the Wheatley to Windsor fishing zone. Much more can be said and usually is.

Tom is a retired Fishing Charter Captain. For more fishing news and info please visit http://www.tomsvirtualmall.com