Lake Erie Walleye and Steelhead Trolling Combo
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Eight-hour morning trolling adventure targeting walleye and steelhead troutHands-on learning experience with expert guidance and all gear providedPeak season fishing from June through October on productive waters
There's something special about watching the sun come up over Lake Erie while your lines are already working the water. This 8-hour morning trolling adventure puts you right in the thick of some of the best walleye and steelhead action the Great Lakes have to offer. Captain and crew from Makin' Memories Fishing Charters know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're ready to share that knowledge with up to 4 anglers looking to dial in their trolling game while putting some serious fish in the box.
Your day starts early with a 5:30 AM departure – and trust me, you'll be glad you're out there when the fish are most active. Running from June 1st through October 18th, this trip hits the sweet spot when both walleye and rainbow trout are feeding heavy in Lake Erie's productive waters. You're not just along for the ride here – this is hands-on fishing at its finest. You'll be working the rods, learning how to read the electronics, and getting dialed in on the trolling techniques that consistently produce fish on this massive lake. The captain covers serious water during these 8 hours, moving between productive zones and adjusting tactics based on what the fish are telling us. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to up your game or a seasoned angler wanting to learn Lake Erie's secrets, you'll walk away with knowledge you can use for years to come.
Lake Erie trolling is an art form, and you'll get schooled in all the details that separate the pros from the weekend crowd. We're talking about speed control, proper lead core and copper setups, and reading your sonar to stay on the fish. The boat comes rigged with top-shelf trolling gear – downriggers, planer boards, and all the terminal tackle you need to get your baits running at the right depth and distance. You'll work with both artificial lures and live bait, learning when to throw spoons, when to pull stick baits, and how to present live emerald shiners that walleye can't resist. The captain will show you how to work different parts of the water column simultaneously, running some lines shallow for aggressive steelhead and others deep where the walleye like to cruise. Temperature breaks, structure changes, and bait schools – you'll learn to read it all and understand why certain spots produce day after day while others are just pretty water.
Lake Erie walleye are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These fish average 2-4 pounds but don't be surprised when you hook into a true slab pushing 6-8 pounds or better. Walleye here are notorious for their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights, especially the bigger females that cruise the deeper water. Peak feeding times are early morning and late evening, which is exactly when you'll be working the most productive water. What makes Lake Erie walleye special is their numbers – this lake supports one of the healthiest walleye populations in North America, and the fishing reflects it. These fish feed heavily on the lake's abundant emerald shiner population, making them predictable targets when you know where to look. Rainbow trout, or steelhead as most anglers call them, are the wildcards that can turn a good day into an epic one. These chrome-bright fighters average 5-10 pounds but Lake Erie is famous for producing steelhead over 15 pounds that will test your drag and your patience. Unlike their river-run cousins, these lake fish are fat and healthy, feeding on alewives and smelt in the open water. When a steelhead hits your trolling spread, you know it immediately – they'll rip line off the reel and put on aerial displays that get everyone's attention on the boat.
This Lake Erie trolling combo trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – productive fishing, hands-on learning, and the chance to target two of the Great Lakes' most sought-after species in their prime habitat. With only 4 spots available per trip and a season that runs through mid-October, the best dates fill up fast with repeat customers who know what Makin' Memories Fishing Charters brings to the table. You'll leave with coolers full of some of the best eating fish that swim, plus the knowledge and confidence to tackle Lake Erie on your own. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, put your kids on their first big lake fish, or just spend a day doing what you love with people who share your passion, this trip checks all the boxes. The early start time might seem rough, but when you're watching that sunrise while fighting your first walleye of the day, you'll understand why the best anglers are always the first ones on the water.
Our 1989 30-foot Cherokee sportfishing boat is built for serious Lake Erie fishing action. Twin 230HP Chevrolet Crusader engines push this stable platform up to 35 knots, getting you to the walleye and steelhead hotspots fast. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of deck space to work multiple trolling lines without getting tangled up. The GPS keeps us on productive structure, while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. Radar helps when morning fog rolls in off the lake. The Cherokee's deep-V hull cuts through Erie's chop, keeping you comfortable during those long trolling passes. Built for offshore fishing, this boat handles Lake Erie's changing conditions while giving you the room to fight fish properly. Onboard facilities include a head for those 8-hour trips.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout in Lake Erie run 16-24 inches and put up spectacular fights with acrobatic jumps that'll test your drag. These silvery beauties with their signature pink stripe cruise the cooler depths, typically 40-80 feet down during summer months. They're constantly on the move, chasing baitfish schools across open water. Early season and fall offer the hottest action when they're more aggressive and closer to the surface. What sets them apart is their unpredictable nature - they'll slam a lure one minute and ignore everything the next. The meat is outstanding too, with that distinctive pink flesh and clean taste. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse it - they've got soft mouths and will throw the hook if you're too aggressive.
Sander VitreusWalleye are Lake Erie's golden treasures, averaging 14-20 inches with some pushing 8+ pounds. Those distinctive glassy eyes help them hunt in low light, making early morning and evening prime time. They cruise 15-30 feet deep along structure - rock piles, drop-offs, and weed edges. Summer finds them holding deeper during the day, then moving shallow to feed at dusk. What makes them special? They fight smart, not just hard, using their head-shaking runs to throw hooks. Plus, you won't find better eating - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect in the pan. My go-to tip: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes. Walleye follow lures but often need that speed change to trigger a strike.
Lake Erie