Duck Hunting Lake Erie | Marsh Shore Blind Hunting
Private Trip
Bird hunting
Shore blind hunting in Rondeau Bay's prime waterfowl areasCaptain Nick adapts blind locations based on weather conditionsSingle hunter trips with professional guide and equipment included
If you're looking for a world-class waterfowl hunting experience on Lake Erie, Captain Nick Glazier's got you covered. This isn't your typical pop-up blind hunt – we're talking about strategically placed shore blinds around Rondeau Bay where ducks naturally want to be. Nick's been working these waters long enough to know exactly where to set up based on wind direction, weather patterns, and bird movement. Whether you're chasing your first limits or you've been hunting ducks for decades, this top-rated Lake Erie hunt delivers the kind of action that keeps hunters coming back season after season. You'll be hunting solo with Nick, which means personalized attention and the flexibility to adapt your strategy as conditions change throughout the morning.
Your hunt starts well before sunrise when Nick picks the perfect blind location based on overnight weather conditions and his knowledge of local bird patterns. Rondeau Bay's diverse shoreline gives us multiple options – some days we're tucked into cattail-lined points where diving ducks swing wide, other mornings we're positioned near open water drop-offs where birds raft up before moving to feed. The beauty of shore blind hunting here is that you're hunting where ducks actually want to be, not trying to convince them to come somewhere artificial. Nick provides all the decoys and calling, but he's always happy to let you work the call if that's your thing. The blinds are comfortable enough for long sits, but honestly, when the birds are moving like they do here, you won't be sitting much. Weather plays a huge role in success – those blustery northwest winds that make most people stay home are exactly what gets ducks moving and puts them at the perfect height for clean shots.
Rondeau Bay's unique geography creates the perfect funnel for migrating waterfowl, and Nick's mastered the art of reading how birds use this landscape. The bay sits like a protected pocket off the main lake, giving ducks shelter while still providing access to the deeper waters where they roost. We hunt from permanent shore blinds that Nick has strategically placed over years of studying bird movement patterns. The key here is understanding how wind direction pushes birds into different areas of the bay – a southeast wind might have us hunting the north shore, while northwest winds could put us on completely different water. Nick's constantly watching weather forecasts and adjusting plans accordingly. The terrain varies from rocky shorelines to marshy points thick with vegetation, and each spot offers different advantages depending on what species are moving. Decoy spreads are tailored to the specific location and target species – sometimes we're running big diving duck spreads in deeper water, other times it's smaller, more intimate setups in protected coves where birds feel secure.
Redheads are the crown jewel of Lake Erie duck hunting, and Rondeau Bay sees some of the best redhead action in the entire Great Lakes system. These medium-sized diving ducks are absolute rockets when they're coming into the decoys – they'll circle high, then commit hard and fast, giving you just seconds to make your shot count. Redheads typically show up in good numbers from late October through November, with peak action often coinciding with the first real cold snaps that push birds south from their northern staging areas. What makes hunting redheads so exciting is their unpredictability – they might ignore your spread completely, or suddenly appear out of nowhere and drop right into your pocket. They're strong fliers that can handle rough weather, so some of your best redhead hunting happens on days when other ducks are sitting tight.
Canvasback hunting on Lake Erie is legendary, and for good reason – these big, fast-flying ducks represent the pinnacle of waterfowl hunting for many hunters. Cans are larger than redheads and even more powerful, with a distinctive profile that's unmistakable once you've seen a few. They tend to move in smaller groups than other divers, but when they commit to your spread, it's pure magic. Peak canvasback movement usually happens a bit later in the season than redheads, with prime time often falling in November when sustained cold weather locks up their northern waters. These birds are smart – they've seen every trick in the book by the time they reach Lake Erie, which makes fooling them that much more satisfying. Canvasbacks are also excellent table fare, widely considered one of the best-eating ducks in North America when they've been feeding on the abundant vegetation in Lake Erie's waters.
This customer-favorite Lake Erie duck hunt offers something you can't get anywhere else – access to world-class diving duck populations in one of the Great Lakes' most productive waterfowl areas, guided by someone who's dedicated his life to understanding these birds and waters. Nick's not just putting you in a blind and hoping for the best; he's using decades of experience to give you the best possible shot at redheads and canvasbacks that many hunters only dream about. The one-on-one format means you're getting personalized instruction, whether you need help reading approaching birds or want to fine-tune your shooting on fast-moving divers. With hunting seasons being short and good weather windows even shorter, spots fill up fast once migration gets rolling. If you're serious about adding some premium Lake Erie ducks to your season, now's the time to lock in your dates with Captain Nick and the renowned Raglan Hunt & Fish Club.
Canvasbacks are the king of diving ducks around here, and for good reason. These big birds can push 3-4 pounds and have this distinctive sloped profile that makes them easy to spot even at distance. They love the deeper, open waters of Lake Erie but move into Rondeau Bay when weather drives them in. Peak time is definitely mid to late November when the big flights come through. What hunters love about cans is their commitment - once they decide to work your spread, they come in fast and low with purpose. The table fare is outstanding, probably the best-eating duck you'll find on the Great Lakes. My advice? Set up in the deeper pockets of the bay with plenty of can decoys. They're particular about landing with their own kind, so species-specific spreads really pay off.
Redheads are medium-sized diving ducks that really know how to work the deeper waters around Rondeau Bay. These birds typically weigh 2-3 pounds and are built for diving, preferring areas with 6-12 feet of water where they can get down to the wild celery and pondweed beds. They show up strong during our late October through November hunts, especially when the northwest winds push them into the protected bays. What makes them special is their wariness - they'll circle your spread multiple times before committing, which keeps you on your toes. The meat is top-notch too, clean-tasting from their vegetarian diet. Here's the trick: keep your decoy spread tight and use a lot of motion. Redheads like to see activity in the water before they'll drop in.
Lake Erie