Lake Erie Walleye Charters?

[cedahm]

Hey all,

A childhood friend of mine who is still in MN is going through some rough times after a divorce. He and I have been texting a lot recently.

His family had a cabin on Mille Lacs for generations, so you can imagine he's done a lot of walleye fishing over the years. Out of the blue yesterday he mentioned he's got multiple 29-29.5" fish under his belt but a 30 has eluded him and he is booking a 2027 spring trip to Erie. Asked me to join.

I couldn't care less about the size of the fish, I love to eat walleyes and mostly just want to spend a few days with him. But that's his target.

All that being said - does any HT'er have recommendations for a charter outfit on Erie? Specific location doesn't really matter (seems like Ohio from Toledo to Cleveland is the general epicenter. I have never fished the Lake).

He's checked in with a couple already, but he believes that "guys that don't have a website" will be better (again, no difference to me as long as the captain is licensed and experienced). Price isn't a concern.

Thanks!

 

[Perlodid]

We went with these guys (Jeff Wenrick was our guide) a few years ago out of Lorain and had a great time. Everybody limited out easily, constant action. No real big fish, I think the biggest we got was maybe 21 or 22 inches, but my dad lost one that was probably 25+. We went in the summer though, I bet they could get you on bigger fish in the spring. Captain was on top of things and a good guy to talk to. I would definitely book with them again if I was looking to get back on Erie.

Lake Erie Fishing Charters

 

[Nick87]

Following.

 

[westbranch]

I have no knowledge about this but I am interested. My cousin is likely to end up moving to OH and walleyes on Erie is on my list when visiting there.

Also, you could look into the Columbia river in WA to see some different country with big walleyes.

 

[brymoore]

I grew up fishing Lake Erie. We’d float Huron to Vermillion. Sandusky area is great too. We’d bounce an Erie Deerie. My experience as a kid was little walleye but buckets of perch. It’s now no perch but big walleye. Our last trip home a few years ago we used a guide. We trolled and peaked out at a 5 or 6 pound walleye plus a few monster drums. Guide Name is on last pic.

 

[Mallardsx2]

If your near Erie PA I would point you at Rough House Charters.

Andy is a good dude.

 

[Addicting]

I’ve fished it quite a bit. My favorite captain is Kurt at good karma charters LLC. He has a FB page he does. You can search him up there or I can PM you his number.

Reality of going to Erie to catch a 30” is slim. Guys have fished it their whole lives and not pulled one. You can go and limit out on most days but they will all be 20 to 27ish inches. A 30” fish is hard to come by. Anyone who tells you they can put you on them is full of BS.

Best chance to get into that class is when the ice goes out and the big female move in to the Detroit River. It’s cold and you would be jigging. Think wearing ice fishing gear.

Once it warms near 40 the males move in and there will be millions of them. You will be sorting but likely won’t be over 27” 28” with a lot of 15-16” thrown back.

So your buddy needs realistic expectations, 98% chance it ain’t gonna happen if that is his only goal.

 

[Addicting]