Lake Erie Night Walleye Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fourhour night charter targeting walleye and yellow perch on Lake ErieAll fishing equipment and professional guidance included for all skill levelsTrip continues until daily catch limits reached or four hours complete
When the sun starts dipping behind the horizon on Lake Erie, that's when the real action begins. Our night walleye and perch charter takes advantage of those prime feeding hours when these fish come alive and start hunting. You'll spend four solid hours on the water with us, or until we hit our daily limits – whichever comes first. We keep our groups small at just four anglers max, so you get plenty of personal attention and room to work without bumping elbows. This isn't some cattle-boat operation where you're fighting for space at the rail.
Spring nights on Lake Erie offer some of the most productive walleye fishing you'll find anywhere in the Great Lakes. We time these trips perfectly with seasonal patterns when both walleye and yellow perch are feeding aggressively in the shallows. The cooler evening temperatures make for comfortable fishing conditions, and you'll be amazed how much more active the fish become once that sun goes down. We provide all your tackle – quality rods, reels, and terminal gear that's specifically rigged for night fishing these species. All you need is a valid Ohio fishing license and some layers since it can get nippy out there once the wind picks up. Even if you've never night fished before, don't sweat it – we'll walk you through everything step by step.
Night fishing for walleye requires a completely different approach than daytime tactics, and that's where our experience really pays off. We'll be using bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses and blade baits that create vibration and flash in the dark water. The key is working structure and transition zones where walleye ambush baitfish. We'll set you up with glow-in-the-dark jigs and teach you how to feel for those subtle taps that walleye are famous for – especially at night when they're more cautious about committing. For perch, we'll switch to smaller presentations with multi-hook rigs that let you double or triple up when you find a school. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS so we can stay on productive spots even in complete darkness.
Our walleye fishing on Lake Erie has been absolutely on fire this spring. We're consistently putting anglers on keeper-sized fish in that sweet 16-24 inch range, with plenty of them pushing the upper end of that scale. The yellow perch have been schooling up tight in 25-35 feet of water, and when you find them, it's fish after fish until your arms get sore. One group last week limited out on walleye in just two and a half hours, then spent the rest of the trip filling up on jumbo perch for the fish fry. Another regular customer landed his personal best 28-inch walleye right at sunset before we even switched over to full night mode. That's the beauty of these spring trips – the fish are feeding heavily to recover from the spawn, and night fishing gives you access to bigger, more aggressive fish that stay deep during daylight hours.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Lake Erie fishing, and for good reason. These golden beauties are built for low-light hunting with their reflective eyes and razor-sharp teeth. Spring walleye average 18-22 inches and fight with surprising strength for their size – they'll make long runs and shake their heads violently trying to throw the hook. What makes them so special is their incredible table fare; walleye fillets are firm, white, and mild with virtually no fishy taste. Night fishing gives you the best shot at trophy walleye since the big females move shallow to feed under cover of darkness. They're most active in water temperatures between 50-65 degrees, which is exactly what we get during these spring evenings.
American Yellow Perch might be smaller than walleye, but pound-for-pound they're some of the scrappiest fish in the lake. These striped fighters school up in huge numbers during spring, often in the hundreds. They average 8-12 inches with the occasional jumbo pushing 13-14 inches. Perch are notorious for their boom-or-bust nature – you either can't buy a bite or you're pulling them over the rail two at a time. When they're feeding, it's some of the most fast-paced fishing you'll experience. Like walleye, perch are absolutely delicious eating with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for a traditional shore lunch. Spring perch are at their fattest after spending winter in deeper water, making them prime candidates for the dinner table.
If you're serious about experiencing some of the best walleye and perch fishing Lake Erie has to offer, this night charter delivers everything you're looking for. Small groups, expert guidance, quality equipment, and fish that actually cooperate – that's a winning combination that's tough to beat. Spring nights fill up fast because locals know this is when the fishing peaks, so don't wait around if you want to get in on the action. Whether you're looking to put some quality fillets in the freezer or just want to experience the unique challenge of night fishing, this four-hour charter gives you the best bang for your buck on the lake.
The 23' ProLine walkaround with its sturdy 8½' beam cuts through Lake Erie's waters with authority, powered by a reliable 200 HP Evinrude E-Tec that'll get you to the walleye hotspots fast. This hard-top boat hits 35 knots when you need to chase the bite, but once you're on the fish, the wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet so you won't spook those finicky night feeders. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of perch suspended in the water column, while GPS keeps you locked onto productive structure even in the dark. VHF radio ensures you're connected to other boats working the same areas. The walkaround design gives everyone room to fish comfortably, and the onboard head means you won't miss prime time when the walleye are feeding. Built for Lake Erie's conditions, this boat handles the lake's infamous chop while keeping you dry under the hard-top during those cool spring evenings.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are schooling fish that typically run 7-10 inches in Lake Erie, though we occasionally see them pushing a pound or more. They're golden with distinctive dark vertical bars and have those rough, comb-like scales that give them grip. You'll find them around structure - weed beds, rocky areas, and drop-offs in 15-30 feet of water during our spring night trips. Perch are active feeders after dark when the water starts warming above 40 degrees. What makes them popular is they're relatively easy to catch, fight well for their size, and are hands-down some of the best eating fish in the lake. The white, flaky meat is sweet and mild. Pro tip: when you catch one, work that area thoroughly - where there's one perch, there's usually a whole school nearby.
Sander VitreusWalleye are Lake Erie's premier game fish, averaging 14-18 inches with plenty of 3-5 pounders mixed in. They have those distinctive glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light, which is why night fishing is so productive. During spring evenings, they move shallow over rocky reefs and along weed edges in 12-25 feet, feeding heavily on emerald shiners and gobies. The bite really turns on as the sun sets and water temps hit the mid-50s. Anglers love walleye because they put up a solid fight with those hard head shakes, plus they're the gold standard for eating - firm, white fillets with incredible flavor. My go-to technique is trolling crawler harnesses just off the bottom near structure transitions. The key is staying patient and letting them take the bait.
Cleveland