UTERSmallmouth bass fishing in Lake Erie
In Lake Erie, smallmouth bass peak April–June and September–October and are around March–November, spawning in June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Pre-spawn on the Bass Islands, Presque Isle and Dunkirk rock.
Perch, walleye heading west, and the fall steelhead run. Perch off Huron and Fairport; the first rain sends steelhead up the Alley.
Smallmouth bass in Lake Erie, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchAround
- AprilPeakPre-spawn on the Bass Islands, Presque Isle and Dunkirk rock.
- MayPeakTubes and jerkbaits on the eastern-basin shoals.
- JuneSpawningWalleye everywhere in the west; smallmouth on the beds. Drift crawler harnesses off the islands; tubes for smallies off Presque Isle and Dunkirk.
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeakPerch peak; smallmouth on the rock; steelhead stage. Jumbo perch on the central-basin humps; smallies on the eastern reefs.
- OctoberPeakPerch, walleye heading west, and the fall steelhead run. Perch off Huron and Fairport; the first rain sends steelhead up the Alley.
- NovemberAround
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish smallmouth bass near Toledo, Port Clinton, Sandusky
The walleye capital of the world: the shallow western basin's reefs and islands where they spawn, the Maumee and Sandusky runs, the deep cool central and eastern basins where they summer, jumbo perch everywhere, smallmouth on the eastern rock, and Steelhead Alley — the short tributaries from Ohio to New York.
Fish Scouter charts 47 lake, 30 reservoir spots in the Lake Erie map area — the kinds smallmouth bass hold on.
What to use for smallmouth bass
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- LeechesHooked once through the sucker end on a #8 to #4 hook under a slip bobber or on a live-bait rig — walleye and smallmouth can't leave them alone.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–82°F water, best at 60–74°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch smallmouth bass in Lake Erie?
Peak season is April–June and September–October, with fish spawning in June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Smallmouth bass are in Lake Erie March–November. April: Pre-spawn on the Bass Islands, Presque Isle and Dunkirk rock.
Where do smallmouth bass hold in Lake Erie?
Look on river, creek / stream, lake, bridge — around Toledo, Port Clinton, Sandusky, Cleveland, Erie, Dunkirk.
What is the best bait for smallmouth bass in Lake Erie?
Live bait: crayfish, minnows (fatheads, shiners), leeches, nightcrawlers. Crayfish: Hooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
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All about smallmouth bass · Lake Erie, the whole year