Fishing Lake Erie, Presque Isle

Popular Fish Species
Lake Erie Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
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Lake Erie, PA

Popular Fish Species Lake Erie, PA

Lake Erie Popular Fish - Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Smallmouth bass are one of the most sought-after species in Lake Erie, with fish over 4 pounds very common. Largemouth bass also reside here in good numbers. Smallmouth bass fishing is particularly good when they move to shallow water. Use shallow spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, tube baits and jerkbaits around any sort of rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In winter, when the lake freezes over, enjoy ice fishing for smallies. Other times, focus your time on deeper structure with drop-shot rigs, small worms, jigs and spoons. Rock piles and points are prime areas for smallmouth as these areas are also home to crawfish.

Yellow Perch Fishing

The lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. It is extremely popular at restaurants and for private fish frys. Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Lake Erie. They are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing as well. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.

Walleye Fishing

Lake Erie is home to a very hearty population of walleye. Good fisheries management by Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and plenty of forage in the lake have them growing fat and healthy. Walleye have excellent vision in low light scenarios which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water anytime there are low light conditions. During May and June is the optimal time to catch them, while feeding in shallower water. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very rewarding. Use GPS to locate fishing spots you normally fish during other times of the year. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, sauger, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white bass, white perch, yellow perch, coho salmon, steelhead, bowfin, muskie and northern pike at Lake Erie in Pennsylvania.

Lake Erie Fishing Video

Presque Isle is the primary PA port for Lake Erie, is one of the Great Lakes. It is a 9,910 square-mile lake with fantastic fishing opportunities. Here we will focus only on the amenities accessible from the state of Pennsylvania. Several marinas and numerous boat launches are available for boating of all kinds.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Erie

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Erie Amenities, Presque Isle

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Presque Isle Boat Rental
Rentals: Fishing boats, kayaks, canoes and pontoon boats
814 838-3938

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

East Avenue Boat Ramp
Located at the Erie Land Lighthouse, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and plenty of parking.

Lampe Marina Boat Ramp
Located on the east side of Presque Isle, this is a nice, four-lane, concrete ramp with massive a parking area.

Presque Isle Marina Fuel Service Launch Ramp
Located on Presque Isle, in the west sector, this is a nice, four-lane, concrete ramp but has limited parking.