Full Day Lake Erie Perch, Trout & Walleye Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private guided fishing trip for two guests maximumTarget Walleye, Trout, and Yellow Perch speciesAll gear, bait, and fish cleaning services included
Captain Matthew knows Lake Erie like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This full-day private charter is built for two anglers who want quality time on the water without the crowds. You'll spend your day targeting three of Lake Erie's most popular species – walleye, lake trout, and yellow perch – while enjoying the kind of personalized attention you just can't get on bigger boats. Everything's included except your fishing license and snacks, so all you need to do is show up ready to fish.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Matthew at the dock. Lake Erie's a big body of water, but Matthew knows exactly where to find the fish based on current conditions, water temperature, and what's been biting lately. The boat's equipped with everything you need – quality rods and reels, a full tackle selection, live bait, and an assortment of proven lures. Since it's just the two of you, there's plenty of room to spread out and fish comfortably. Matthew runs a clean operation and takes pride in making sure his guests have the best possible experience. The scenery's pretty spectacular too – Lake Erie stretches out as far as you can see, and on clear days, you'll feel like you're fishing in the middle of an ocean.
Lake Erie fishing changes with the seasons and conditions, so Matthew adjusts his approach accordingly. For walleye, you'll likely be trolling with planer boards and bottom bouncers, covering water until you locate schools of fish. Once you find them, it's often a matter of working the area methodically. Perch fishing usually means anchoring up over structure and dropping down with multi-hook rigs baited with minnows or worms. These fish travel in schools, so when you find them, the action can be fast and furious. Lake trout require a different approach entirely – you'll be fishing deeper water with downriggers or heavy tackle, targeting the thermocline where these cold-water fish hang out. Matthew's got all the electronics you need to locate fish and structure, plus he's been fishing these waters long enough to read the lake like a book.
American Yellow Perch are the bread and butter of Lake Erie fishing, and for good reason. These striped beauties typically run 8-12 inches, with some jumbo perch pushing 14 inches or more. They're excellent table fare – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for a fish fry. Perch are most active during cooler months, especially late fall through early spring, when they school up in massive numbers. What makes perch fishing so addictive is the constant action. Once you locate a school, you can catch dozens of fish in a short time. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers and taste.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Lake Erie, and Matthew's got the skills to put you on them. These golden-sided gamefish typically range from 15-25 inches, with trophy fish exceeding 28 inches not uncommon. Walleye are notorious for their light bite – you need to stay alert because they often just feel like a slight weight on your line. But don't let that fool you; once hooked, they'll give you a solid fight with runs and head shakes. The meat is considered some of the best eating freshwater fish you'll find. Prime walleye season runs from spring through fall, with evening and early morning being peak times.
Lake Trout bring a whole different element to your fishing day. These deep-water predators are the biggest fish you'll target, commonly reaching 20-30 inches with some monsters exceeding 10 pounds. They're built for cold, deep water and will test your tackle with powerful runs toward the bottom. Lake trout are most cooperative during cooler months when they move into shallower water, but Matthew knows the deep-water haunts where they can be caught year-round. The fight is what trout fishing is all about – these fish are strong, stubborn, and won't give up easily.
A full day on Lake Erie with Captain Matthew gives you the best shot at experiencing everything this world-class fishery has to offer. With three target species and a captain who knows how to find them, you're looking at a day that could produce anything from a cooler full of perch to a wall-hanger walleye. The private charter format means you'll get personalized instruction, the flexibility to focus on whatever's biting best, and fish cleaning service so you can head home with ready-to-cook fillets. Lake Erie doesn't disappoint, and neither does Captain Matthew. Book your trip and get ready for some of the best freshwater fishing in the Great Lakes.
Your Lake Erie fishing adventure starts with a well-equipped 1999 25-foot Sport Craft Cruiser that's built for serious angling. This motorboat comes loaded with everything you need to track down walleye, trout, and perch - including GPS navigation, radar for those foggy mornings, and fish finder technology to locate the best spots. Captain Matthew keeps all the essential gear onboard, from rods and reels to live bait and tackle, plus he'll clean your catch so you can focus on the fishing. The boat features an icebox to keep your drinks cold during the day, and even has a bed and toilet for comfort on longer trips. With space for just 2 guests, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of room to work the water without feeling cramped. The setup is perfect for targeting Lake Erie's famous fish populations while enjoying the comfort and convenience of a properly outfitted fishing vessel.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are schooling fish that average 7-10 inches and rarely top 2 pounds. Their golden bodies with dark vertical stripes make them easy to identify. You'll find them around structure like weed beds, docks, and drop-offs in 10-20 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime times, especially when they're schooled up near cover. What makes perch fishing great is the steady action - where you catch one, there's usually dozens more. They're also some of the best eating fish in the lake with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to tip: once you find a school, drop small jigs tipped with minnows or worms right back down. They're aggressive feeders and will often hit multiple times.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the heavyweights here, averaging 15-25 pounds with fish over 30 pounds caught regularly. These cold-water char live deep - we're talking 60-120 feet down over rocky structure and drop-offs. Spring right after ice-out and late fall are your best shots when they come up shallower. Summer means going deep with downriggers. What draws people to lakers is the raw power - they'll peel drag and fight all the way to the boat. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that grey-green color and cream spots. The meat's rich and oily, perfect for smoking. Pro tip: when jigging deep, let your spoon fall on slack line. Lakers often hit on the drop, and you'll feel that weight when you lift the rod.
Sander VitreusLake Erie walleye typically run 2-6 pounds with some pushing 8-10 pounds. They love rocky bottoms, drop-offs, and weed edges in 15-30 feet of water during the day. These fish have those distinctive glassy eyes that help them see in low light - that's when they really turn on. Spring and fall offer the best action, but summer evenings can be fantastic too. Walleye are prized for their firm, mild white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. They're also smart fighters that test your skills. Here's a local trick: when trolling crawler harnesses, slow way down near structure. Most guys fish too fast. Walleye want that bait crawling along bottom, not racing by.
Lake Erie