Half Day Walleye & Perch Fishing on Lake Erie
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Halfday Lake Erie fishing targeting walleye or yellow perchFourhour trips with morning or afternoon departure times availableExecutive upgrade includes meals, beverages, and fish cleaning services
Lake Erie's western basin is hands down one of the best walleye and yellow perch fisheries in North America, and this half-day trip puts you right in the heart of the action. Captain and crew aboard the Julia May know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on some serious fish. Whether you're after the prized walleye or looking to fill your cooler with tasty yellow perch, this 4-hour adventure gives you the perfect taste of what makes Lake Erie fishing so legendary. With morning and afternoon departure times, you can easily fit this trip into your schedule and still have time to explore the area or get back home with a cooler full of fillets.
The Julia May is set up perfectly for Lake Erie fishing, with plenty of deck space for up to 6 anglers and all the amenities you need for a comfortable day on the water. You'll find an enclosed head onboard, which is always appreciated on longer trips, plus room for your coolers and snacks. The boat launches at either 7:00 AM or 2:00 PM, giving you flexibility whether you're an early bird who loves the morning bite or prefer to sleep in and fish the afternoon. The crew handles all the navigation and knows exactly where the fish are holding based on current conditions, water temperature, and seasonal patterns. Your trip runs for 4 hours or until you hit your limits, whichever comes first – and trust me, hitting limits on perch in the western basin happens more often than you'd think. The western basin allows 30 perch per person, so there's plenty of opportunity to stock up on these delicious panfish.
When you're targeting walleye, the crew primarily uses trolling techniques with planer boards and bottom bouncers, covering water efficiently to locate active schools. Casting can also be productive, especially around structure or when fish are relating to specific depth breaks. The captain will set up the spread based on what's working best that day – sometimes it's crawler harnesses behind bottom bouncers, other times it's crankbaits or spoons. For yellow perch, jigging is the name of the game. You'll be working small jigs tipped with minnows or worms in vertical presentations, often in 15-25 feet of water where these schooling fish congregate. The beauty of perch fishing is once you find a school, the action can be non-stop. The crew provides all the tackle and bait you need, though you're welcome to bring your own rods if you have favorites. They'll coach you through the techniques and make sure you're fishing effectively, whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started.
The American Yellow Perch in Lake Erie's western basin are absolutely phenomenal – these aren't your typical small panfish. We're talking about chunky, thick-bodied perch that average 9-11 inches, with plenty of jumbo 12+ inchers mixed in. Yellow perch are schooling fish that move in large groups, so when you find them, you can often catch them as fast as you can drop your line. Spring and fall are prime times, with fish moving shallow to feed heavily. What makes these perch so special is their incredible table fare – sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for a fish fry. They're also great for kids and beginners since they're aggressive biters and fun to catch. The daily limit of 30 per person means you can really stock the freezer, and with fish cleaning services available, you can focus on the fishing and let someone else handle the messy work.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Lake Erie, and for good reason. These fish are not only fantastic eating but also provide an exciting fight with their head-shaking runs and stubborn resistance. Lake Erie walleye typically range from 15-25 inches, with trophy fish over 28 inches caught regularly. They're most active during low-light periods, which is why the early morning trips can be absolutely phenomenal. Walleye have excellent eyesight and are ambush predators, often relating to bottom structure, drop-offs, and temperature breaks. What makes Lake Erie walleye special is their size and abundance – this lake produces more walleye than any other body of water in the world. The meat is firm, white, and has a mild flavor that even non-fish eaters love. Whether you're trolling along the shipping channels or working structure with jigs, hooking into a solid Lake Erie walleye is an experience that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
This half-day Lake Erie fishing trip gives you everything you need for an outstanding day on the water – experienced crew, proven techniques, quality boat, and access to some of the best walleye and perch fishing in the country. The flexibility of morning or afternoon departures makes it easy to work into any schedule, and with fish cleaning available, you can head home with restaurant-quality fillets ready for the table. The western basin's 30 perch per person limit means you've got plenty of opportunity to stock up on these delicious panfish, while the chance at trophy walleye keeps things exciting. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, family outing, or just want to experience world-class Great Lakes fishing, the Julia May crew has you covered. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing dates fill up quickly, especially during peak season when the bite is hot and the weather is perfect.
Cast off aboard the Julia May, a spacious 28' Carolina Classic that's your floating command center for Lake Erie walleye and perch action. This well-rigged vessel handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, whether you're trolling the deeper waters for trophy walleye or working jigs over structure for jumbo perch. The boat comes fully loaded with fish finders to mark schools, GPS for pinpoint navigation, and radar when lake conditions get sketchy. You'll appreciate the enclosed head during those long fishing sessions, plus plenty of room for your coolers and tackle. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold while the multimedia system adds some tunes between bites. With professional gear provided and fish cleaning services available, you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat during your 4-hour Lake Erie adventure.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are Lake Erie's most reliable fish - they school up tight and once you find them, you're in business. These golden beauties with their dark vertical stripes average 7-10 inches and make fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They love hanging around structure like reefs, drop-offs, and weed edges in 15-35 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime time, but they bite year-round. We jig for them with small spoons or live bait rigs tipped with minnows or worms. The key is staying mobile - perch schools move constantly. When you mark fish on the sonar, drop straight down and work the bottom. Light tackle makes even these smaller fish a blast to catch, and with our 30-fish limit, you'll have plenty for a fish fry.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the crown jewel of Lake Erie fishing - these golden-sided fighters with their signature glassy eyes put up a solid battle and taste even better. Most run 2-4 pounds here, but 6-8 pounders aren't uncommon. They're structure fish, hugging rocky reefs, drop-offs, and weed lines in 20-40 feet during the day. Dawn and dusk are magic hours when they move shallow to feed. We troll crawler harnesses or cast jigs along breaklines and rock piles. Their excellent vision gives them an edge in low light, so that's when they're most active. The meat is firm, white, and mild - perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes. Sometimes that speed change is what triggers a strike from a following fish.
Lake Erie