Great Lakes Walleye and Bass
Great Lakes walleye and bass combine for a very effective one-two punch for fishing in Western New York. For this section of the state, that includes the Eastern Basin of Lake Erie and the Western Basin of Lake Ontario – and connected by 40 miles of Niagara River, a strait divided by the mighty Cataracts of Niagara Falls. This is a fishing Mecca that seemingly knows no bounds. Of course, we know better than that.
Lake Erie Bass Fishing
Bass Regulations
Ever since New York State changed its bass regulations, more and more fishermen have been targeting their spring Great Lakes Fishing efforts on smallmouth and largemouth bass during the time that was formerly known as pre-season. We grew up recognizing that bass season opened the third Saturday in June and ended November 30.
The advent of an early trophy bass fishery on Lake Erie starting the first Saturday in May has been tweaked a bit, but the current season sports a one fish daily limit with a minimum length of 20 inches – a true trophy in anyone’s book. Lake Erie bass fishing has blossomed into becoming widely recognized as one of the top smallmouth bass destinations in the world, a great reason to go Great Lakes fishing.
The Impact of Ice
“Springtime ‘smallies’ on Lake Erie from Buffalo to Dunkirk can be second to none,” says Capt. Steve Drabczyk of Lewiston. The term “ice out” is one that he focuses in on this time of year as the lake will not begin to warm until the ice is gone.
That fluctuates from year to year based on the severity of the winter. An ice boom placed at the head of the Upper Niagara River between Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ontario in Canada is used to control ice formation and dissipation to minimize damage along the shoreline and keep water intakes open. Once the ice is gone, waters will start to warm and these fish will begin their natural spawning cycles.
Water Conditions and Small Mouth Bass
“This is prime time to catch these fish when they are most vulnerable,” says Drabczyk. “I’ll normally target these fish in the shallows when they are on their beds from Buffalo to Sturgeon Point in six to 18 feet of water when I’m looking for numbers of fish. Three to four pound fish are plentiful.
When the water clarity is good, I like to sight fish for bass. While the pre-season catch and release bass fishing is with artificial baits in the rest of the state, you can use live bait for the special Lake Erie bass fishing season. That said, this time of year these fish really aren’t feeding when they are on the beds. They are protecting their beds from invasion. I like to use a lure that is tied directly to the line such as a tube jig, spinnerbait or bucktail jig.” The reason is to detect hits or strikes.
Smallmouth Bass Fishing Setup
Because of that mind set, Drabczyk uses line that can be anywhere from eight to 12 pound test. Line visibility isn’t as much of an issue in the slightly turbid waters and he adjusts what line he uses with the skill level of his customers and whether or not there’s a lot of debris in the water. His preference is Trilene XT with high abrasion qualities, especially when he’s around structure like rocks and drop-offs.
Deep Water Fishing for Smallmouth
When pursuing the larger smallmouth bass in Lake Erie, I aim for deeper waters, often as deep as 40 feet. These fish are typically found around structures like shoals, reefs, and other underwater formations where bass gather to spawn. In this 25 to 40-foot range, you’ll find the most sizable bass, with many weighing in at over four pounds. During the spring, I consistently catch fish that exceed six pounds, with many of them falling between five and six pounds. The key to consistently landing these larger bass is to locate the right structure—whether that be the rocky perimeters of shoals or the drop-offs around reefs. The fish tend to be concentrated here, feeding and preparing to spawn. While these big fish are definitely worth the effort, navigating these waters effectively is crucial. For beginners or those unfamiliar with Lake Erie, hiring a guide can be an excellent way to gain valuable knowledge on how to find and catch these elusive giants. Guides not only help you navigate the waters but also provide on-water lessons that improve your fishing techniques, making the entire experience more rewarding.
Presentation is Everything
Just as with any other time of year, presentation plays a pivotal role in catching bass during the spring. For me, keeping the boat moving is a critical part of my strategy. Whether it’s the natural wind on the lake or the use of my bow-mount trolling motor, staying mobile helps me find active fish more effectively. My optimal speed range is between 1.5 to 3 miles per hour, which keeps the bait moving at the perfect pace to attract bass. With the influx of gobies in the system, anything that imitates a goby is particularly effective. These invasive fish have become a key part of the bass diet in Lake Erie, so using lures or baits that mimic them can significantly improve your chances. Bass are protective of their nests during the spawning season, so offering a goby imitation near these nests can trigger an aggressive response from the bass, leading to more bites.
Understanding the Lifecycle of Smallmouth Bass
One of the best ways to be successful while fishing Lake Erie is by understanding the lifecycle of the smallmouth bass. Capt. Tom Marks, a seasoned angler and guide from Derby, emphasizes the importance of knowing where and when bass spawn. In the spring, smallmouth bass can be found in various areas, including around the breakwalls near Buffalo Harbor. These bass are often located in shallow waters close to shore, particularly in the early part of May when the fish begin moving toward spawning grounds. One of Marks’ favorite spots for early season bass fishing is “the flats”—a stretch of water that spans from Athol Springs to just beyond the Wanakah Water Works. These shallow areas, ranging from four to eight feet deep, are prime spots for spawning bass. To target these bass, Marks uses a variety of baits, including crankbaits like Junior Thundersticks, Rapala Shad Raps, and Strike King Sexy Shad. He also uses spinnerbaits and tube jigs, especially when casting around the rocks of the outer break walls.
Knowing where and when bass spawn is vital. Many bass spawn out in the open waters of the lake, while others spawn in the tributaries that feed into Lake Erie. By understanding these patterns, anglers can focus their efforts on the most productive areas during the key spawning periods.
Lake Erie Fishing Opportunities
While bass fishing on Lake Erie is exciting, the lake is also known for its world-class walleye fishing opportunities. Capt. Marks specializes in Great Lakes walleye fishing, and he notes that Lake Erie’s walleye populations are highly regarded. The walleye fishing season begins on the first Saturday in May and kicks off with the shore-based night fishing bite. In the early spring, walleye come in closer to shore to spawn, making this the ideal time to target them along the shoreline. However, Marks has shifted his focus away from nighttime trolling in recent years due to the excellent daytime bite. He’s found that walleye fishing during the day in May can be just as productive as the night bite, especially during the early morning hours when the fish are still active before the sun warms up the water.
Spring Fishing Techniques for Great Lakes Walleye
During the early part of May, I find that walleye are most active in the shallows, trolling stickbaits or worm harnesses in depths ranging from 10 to 15 feet of water. Long leads are key to successfully targeting these fish. These walleye were likely in the shallows at night and are now moving back to deeper waters. Drop-offs are particularly productive in the early season, as walleye often congregate along the bottom of these slopes. When trolling for walleye, the traditional approach is to move slowly, but don’t hesitate to speed things up if needed. In fact, I’ve successfully trolled at speeds of up to 3 miles per hour to catch fish, especially when the fish are more aggressive.
Using electronics and maps is an essential part of finding walleye, as they tend to gather around certain structures, particularly drop-offs and spawning areas. A great deal of success in walleye fishing comes from identifying key structures and staying near them, much like scouting for deer or geese. If you invest time in studying the lake’s features, it can significantly improve your chances of landing a trophy walleye.
Great Lakes in the Early Summertime
As summer approaches, the walleye will start to move out into deeper waters, although they tend to stay in the warmer, upper layers of the lake. By June, I find that walleye may be holding about 10 feet below the surface over deeper waters, with depths around 25 feet. To target these fish, I use downriggers, which allow me to place the bait five feet below the surface while trolling. Running my baits 150 feet or more behind the boat helps me keep them in the strike zone. In-line boards are also useful for pulling baits away from the boat and ensuring they remain at that critical 10-foot depth. Depth control is key in walleye fishing, and I always aim to keep my baits at the right level to maximize my chances of success.
Great Lakes Walleye Spawning Stocks
Don Einhouse, a warm water fisheries expert with the Lake Erie Unit of the Department of Environmental Conservation, explains that while the Lake Erie bass population is stable, the walleye situation is more complex. Recent years have seen below-average spawning success in the west-central basin of Lake Erie, which has led to a decline in walleye populations in this area. However, the local walleye stocks have experienced better recruitment success, offering hope for the future of the fishery. Understanding the state of these populations is crucial for anglers who want to target walleye successfully and sustainably.
Western Basin of Lake Ontario
Seeking out Spawning Bass
On the other side of the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario offers its own exciting bass fishing opportunities. The lower Niagara River and the Niagara Bar are two excellent spots for bass fishing, especially during the colder spring months. The techniques for chasing bass in Lake Ontario’s waters are similar to those used in Lake Erie. The first few weeks of May and June are critical for targeting spawning bass in the shallows, particularly along the nearshore areas.
Fort Niagara is an Awesome Spot
Drabczyk, a local angler who opened Creek Road Bait and Tackle in Lewiston, notes that Fort Niagara is one of his favorite spots for Great Lakes walleye fishing. Although the numbers and size of walleye in Lake Ontario may not compare to Lake Erie, it’s still a highly productive area, especially under the right conditions. The lower Niagara River and the Niagara Bar can be just as effective as their Lake Erie counterparts for targeting bass.
Artificial Lures for Lake Ontario
In the lower Niagara River and surrounding areas, anglers are required to use artificial lures for walleye fishing until mid-June due to the statewide catch-and-release season. Some of the best artificial lures for targeting bass in these waters include tube jigs, hair jigs, and spinnerbaits. Last spring, Pennsylvania writer Jeff Knapp landed a personal best—a seven and a half-pound smallmouth bass—while fishing with a goby-colored tube. Drabczyk has noticed a steady increase in the overall size of bass in these waters, making it an exciting time for anglers.
Warmer Waters
One of the more interesting phenomena that occurs in Lake Ontario is the effect of a northeast wind. When the wind is strong enough to flip the lake, bass will often seek out the warmer river waters, particularly if Lake Erie’s water temperature is warmer. This can make fishing for bass in Lake Ontario almost like shooting fish in a barrel—an anomaly that doesn’t occur often but should be on your radar when fishing in these waters.
Prevailing Winds
Lastly, understanding prevailing winds is crucial for successful Great Lakes fishing. Winds typically blow from the west or southwest in Western New York. A strong southwest wind may keep you off Lake Erie, but these same conditions are ideal for fishing the lower Niagara River and the nearshore structures along Lake Ontario. The ability to use a small boat in these conditions is one of the major advantages of fishing in this region. Whether you’re fishing in the lake, the river, or harbors like Wilson, Olcott, or Oak Orchard, prevailing winds can play a key role in determining where and when to fish effectively.
An Anglers’ Dream
Original Article By Bill Hilts, Jr.
About The Author
Bill Hilts, Jr. has been Niagara County’s Sportfishing Promotion Person and Outdoor Sports Specialist for Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation. He has served as president of the Lake Ontario Sportfishing Council and past president of the NYS Outdoor Writers’ Association. He has been an active member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Professional Outdoor Media Association, and president of Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers.
