Lake Erie Walleye and Perch Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
8hour inshore charter targets walleye and yellow perch on Lake ErieCaptain John Ware guides up to 6 anglers in productive nearshore watersAll experience levels welcome for relaxed handson fishing adventure
Captain John Ware knows Lake Erie's inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some of the lake's best walleye and perch action. This 8-hour charter with H2oBoss Charters takes you to productive nearshore spots where the fish are biting and the action stays consistent throughout the day. You'll be fishing Lake Erie's renowned inshore grounds, where walleye roam the structure and yellow perch school up in numbers that'll keep your rod bent and your cooler filling up fast. With space for up to 6 anglers, this trip works great for families, buddy groups, or anyone wanting to experience what makes Lake Erie one of the top freshwater fisheries in the country.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain John at the dock, where he'll get you rigged up and ready to fish. The boat heads out to prime inshore areas where walleye and perch concentrate along drop-offs, rocky structure, and weed edges. These aren't the deep water spots that require long runs—you'll be fishing productive waters within reasonable distance of the harbor, which means more time with lines in the water. The captain knows exactly where to find fish based on current conditions, water temperature, and seasonal patterns. You'll be working areas that consistently produce, whether that's drifting over rocky humps for walleye or anchoring up on perch schools. The relaxed pace lets everyone on board get plenty of action, and Captain John is always ready to help with techniques, rigging, or just sharing stories about Lake Erie's legendary fishing. Don't forget to grab your Ohio fishing license before the trip—it's required and not included with your charter.
Captain John provides all the gear you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. For walleye, you'll likely be using bottom bouncers with spinner rigs, jig and minnow combos, or casting crankbaits depending on what the fish are hitting. The boat is equipped with quality electronics to mark fish and structure, so you're always fishing where the action is hottest. When targeting perch, expect to use lighter tackle with small jigs tipped with minnows or worms—these fish can be finicky, but once you dial in the right presentation, you'll often hook doubles and triples. The captain adjusts techniques throughout the day based on fish behavior and water conditions. Some days the walleye want a slow presentation along bottom structure, while other times they're suspended and feeding aggressively. Perch fishing often involves finding the right depth and staying on schools as they move. The hands-on approach means you'll learn techniques that work specifically for Lake Erie, and the captain is always willing to teach new anglers the ropes while keeping experienced fishermen on productive water.
American Yellow Perch are Lake Erie's bread and butter species, and for good reason. These tasty panfish school up in large numbers, especially during spring and fall when they're feeding heavily. Perch typically run 8 to 12 inches in Lake Erie, with some jumbo fish pushing 13 or 14 inches if you hit the right schools. They're found over various bottom types but concentrate around structure like reefs, drop-offs, and weed edges in 15 to 40 feet of water. What makes perch fishing so addictive is the numbers—when you find a good school, you can catch dozens of these excellent eating fish. They fight harder than their size suggests, and there's nothing quite like feeling that distinctive perch bite through your rod tip. Peak times are typically spring through early summer and again in fall, though Lake Erie's perch bite can stay strong well into the season when conditions are right.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Lake Erie fishing, and these inshore waters hold some real quality fish. Lake Erie walleye average 2 to 4 pounds, but don't be surprised to hook into fish pushing 6, 7, or even 8 pounds on any given day. These fish are structure-oriented, relating to rocky reefs, drop-offs, and current breaks where they ambush baitfish. Walleye are most active during low-light periods—early morning, late evening, and overcast days—but Lake Erie's stained water allows for good daytime fishing too. What makes walleye so prized isn't just their size and fight, but their incredible table fare. These fish have firm, white, flaky meat that's considered among the best eating in freshwater. The spring bite can be phenomenal when walleye move shallow to spawn, while summer and fall fishing stays consistent as fish follow baitfish movements around the lake's structure.
Lake Erie's inshore fishing delivers the kind of consistent action that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Captain John's local knowledge and H2oBoss Charters' commitment to putting clients on fish makes this 8-hour trip a top-rated choice for anyone wanting to experience what Lake Erie fishing is all about. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with perch for a fish fry or hoping to land some quality walleye for the dinner table, this charter puts you in prime position for success. The relaxed inshore approach works perfect for all skill levels, and you'll leave with new techniques, great memories, and hopefully a cooler full of Lake Erie's finest. Spots fill up fast during peak season, so don't wait to secure your date. Book your Lake Erie walleye and perch charter today and get ready for some of the best freshwater fishing the Great Lakes has to offer.
Hit the productive waters of Lake Erie aboard our reliable 27-foot Sportcraft walkaround. This 2001 beauty handles the lake's conditions with ease, powered by a 310HP Mercruiser that cruises comfortably at 30 knots to get you to the fish fast. The spacious cabin keeps your group of up to 6 anglers comfortable during those long walleye and perch runs. You'll appreciate the wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to structure, plus our fish finder to locate schools and mark productive spots. GPS keeps us on the hottest fishing grounds while the VHF radio ensures safe communication. The onboard head means no cutting trips short, so you can stay focused on filling the cooler with Lake Erie's famous walleye and yellow perch. Perfect setup for serious fishing without the offshore run.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are Lake Erie favorites that run 7-10 inches and travel in schools of 50-200 fish. These golden beauties with dark vertical bars love nearshore waters around structure - docks, weed beds, and rocky areas in 8-20 feet. Spring through fall offers steady action, but late summer and early fall are peak times when they're feeding heavily. What makes perch special is the non-stop action once you find a school, plus they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the lake. Light tackle makes every fight fun, even with smaller fish. Here's a local trick: when you catch one perch, don't move the boat - drop your line right back down because the rest of the school is likely still there. We often fill coolers in the same spot.
Sander VitreusLake Erie walleye are the premier game fish here, running 14-28 inches with those famous glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light. They prefer 15-35 foot depths around rock piles, drop-offs, and weed edges during the day, then move shallow at dawn and dusk to feed. Spring and fall produce the hottest action, especially when water temps hit that sweet spot around 55-65 degrees. Walleye offer a solid fight with their head-shaking runs, but the real prize is the table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's tough to beat. The key to consistent success is staying mobile and checking different structures until you locate active fish. Pro tip: when trolling crawler harnesses, slow down more than you think - walleye often want that bait crawling along bottom.
Lake Erie