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Other Fish of Lake Erie

When the freezer is so stuffed with your favorite Lake Erie game fish or you just want a different experience turn to some of the other fish that Lake Erie has to offer. They can be some of the fiercest fights that you may ever experience as a Lake Erie angler.

Lake Erie Muskie Fishing

Muskie can be found in scattered about Lake Erie. Places that muskies like are points, river mouths and weedy bays. Few anglers fish Lake Erie on the Western and Eastern Basins as Lake St Clair gets most of the draw. Because of this, anglers such as Veteran Walleye Guide Ron Levitan is planning on exploring this over the next few seasons to see if a near shore muskie fishery exists. His theory is yes! It is a fact that Lake Erie does have a good Muskie fishery! A good fishable population resides at the mouth of the Niagara River and the immediate surrounding shoreline of Lake Erie. In this area many trophy muskies are caught in the 48 to 53-inch range, most are released.

Lake Erie Northern Pike Fishing

Northern pike are abundant in Lake Erie and its tributaries, especially in the extensive bays and marshes of the western basin. Pike are also targeted in most of Lake Erie’s tributaries especially at the mouths. Over the years River Guide Jim Chamberlin has targeted pike successfully from the Detroit River Mouth south to Stoney Point, and From Luna Pier south the Maumee River Mouth. Fish ranged from 22-32-inches with an occasional fish over 40-inches.

Lake Erie Gar Pike Fishing

The long nose gar is a native Lake Erie fish. Typically it’s found in all along the Lake Shore, Warm Water Discharges and in the tributaries and can be found within these systems up through the first several obstructions. Longtime first mate Matt Hehn of In The Net Charters took up Gar Pike fishing this past spring. He targeted them in the Monroe warm water discharge with a fly rod. Matt caught his first ever Gar Pike on the fly this past spring (pictured above).

Lake Erie White Bass Fishing

The White Bass, also called the Silver Bass, is distinguished by its silver color and white belly. This fish is typically around 10" to 14" long and prefers open waters of no more than 30 foot in depth. Lake Erie is host to one of the largest white bass runs in the country. It happens in Maumee Ohio in the Maumee River where the White Bass of Lake Erie follow the Walleye into the river around the end of April. A similar run is present in the Detroit River the Sandusky River and many of the Warm Water Discharges that are on the Lake Shore. After the spawn these fish return to the lake like feeding machines. Schools of feeding white bass can be found by finding feeding birds on the open waters of Lake Erie. In addition to Lake Erie, White Bass is commonly found in the Ohio River and in the streams and rivers leading off of Lake Erie.

Lake Erie White Perch Fishing

Though not native to Lake Erie, white perch have become established in Lake Erie and the rest of the lower Great Lakes. These small fish average 7" to 12" in length and weigh around 1/4 to 1 lb. They are considered a nuisance fish to most anglers.

Lake Erie Sheephead Fishing

The Freshwater Drum is native to Lake Erie, preferring habitats of deeper pools of rivers and in the main lake with clear water and clean bottoms. They spawn from April to late summer. Females will broadcast 100,000 to 500,000 eggs, which float on the water surface and hatch in one day. The fry are left to survive on their own. An adult freshwater drum can reach an average body length of twelve to thirty inches. In Lake Erie they will rarely get over twenty pounds. They may be larger in rivers. Adults feed on snails, mollusks, crayfish, aquatic insects and small fishes. Steelhead River Guide Jim Chamberlin fishes for Sheephead when he is done walleye fishing. It is a great fighting fish on light tackle! They are considered a nuisance fish to most walleye anglers.

Lake Erie Catfish Fishing

Lake Erie Catfish, also known as Channel Catfish and Spotted Catfish, are native to Lake Erie. This tolerant species thrives in all kinds of conditions, but prefers deep, still waters. Lake Erie Catfish average 12" to 14" in length and can reach 10 lbs. Anglers have really good luck in the larger Lake Erie tributary streams such as the Huron River in Michigan, The Maumee River, The Sandusky River, The Grand River in Ohio and many other streams. They can also be targeted in the Warm Water Discharges near power plants on the Lake Shore. Walleye anglers that are fishing minnow imitations and worm harnesses in the open water often catch Lake Erie Catfish.

Lake Erie Carp Fishing

Carp is a common name for various species of freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. They have been introduced to various locations around the world, though with mixed results. In Lake Erie, the carp is also classified as a Junk Fish as well as damaging naturalized exotic species but with sporting qualities. Many Lake Erie anglers are beginning to view the carp as an angling fish instead of a maligned pest. Many groups such as the Carp Anglers Group and American Carp Society have helped promote the sport and work with fisheries departments to organize events to introduce and expose others to the unique opportunity the carp offers freshwater anglers.

Anglers are reminded that fishing conditions on Lake Erie can change hourly and adjustments are often necessary to improve success. Anglers should take into account such factors as water temperature, cloud cover, water clarity, boat traffic, wave action, structure and the amount of baitfish in the area. Anglers are also reminded to carefully monitor Lake Erie weather and to seek safe harbor before storms approach.

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