Lake Erie Walleye and Steelhead Fishing
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fivehour morning trolling trip targeting walleye and steelheadAll fishing gear, tackle, and equipment provided onboardProfessional fish cleaning service available for additional fee
Captain Jake knows Lake Erie's central basin like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard his 24-foot Thunderjet at 7 AM, you're in for five hours of some of the best freshwater fishing on the continent. This isn't just another charter trip – it's your chance to work one of North America's most productive walleye factories with a captain who lives and breathes these waters. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, Jake's got the patience and know-how to put fish in your cooler while teaching you the tricks that separate the pros from the weekend crowd.
Your day starts early because that's when the fish are most active, and Jake's got this routine down to a science. The Thunderjet is rigged for comfort and performance – plenty of room for up to three anglers to work without getting tangled up, and all the electronics you need to stay on top of the schools. You'll spend most of your time trolling the central basin, covering water and letting the fish tell you where they want to be. Jake provides all the gear, tackle, water, and ice, so you can focus on what matters: learning the lake and putting fish in the box. The captain runs a clean operation and offers fish cleaning service for three bucks per fish – trust me, after five hours of action, you'll gladly pay someone else to do the dirty work while you grab a cold one and swap stories.
Lake Erie trolling is an art form, and Jake's mastered every aspect of it. You'll be pulling everything from inline boards to dipsey divers, working different depths and speeds until you find what the fish want that day. The central basin offers structure and temperature breaks that hold massive schools of walleye and steelhead, and Jake's electronics will show you exactly what's happening down there. He'll teach you how to read the sonar, when to adjust your speed, and how to tell the difference between a walleye bite and a steelhead slam. The boat's equipped with quality rods and reels that can handle anything from finicky perch to powerful steelhead pulling drag. You're not just fishing – you're learning a system that works on one of the most challenging and rewarding bodies of water in the Great Lakes.
Walleye are the bread and butter of Lake Erie, and for good reason – these golden beauties are hands-down some of the best eating fish that swim. Most Erie walleye run between 2-6 pounds, with plenty of slot fish mixed in with some real trophies that'll make your arms burn. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are in that sweet spot, but summer fishing can be lights-out if you know where to look. Walleye have this subtle bite that beginners often miss – it feels like you snagged a wet sock until you set the hook and realize there's a fighter on the other end. What makes Erie walleye special is their numbers and quality. This lake produces more walleye per square mile than just about anywhere, and the fish are fat and healthy from feeding on the abundant baitfish populations.
Rainbow trout, or steelhead as most anglers call them, are the lake's premier gamefish and will absolutely test your drag system. These chrome rockets average 5-10 pounds but can push well into the teens, and when one hits your spoon at trolling speed, you'll know it immediately. Spring and fall runs bring the biggest numbers close to shore, but the central basin holds fish year-round that are feeding heavily and fighting like freight trains. Steelhead are acrobatic fighters that'll jump, run, and do everything they can to throw your hooks. They're also fantastic table fare when handled properly, with firm, pink meat that rivals any saltwater species. The Great Lakes strain of steelhead has adapted perfectly to Erie's ecosystem, growing fast and strong on the lake's rich forage base of emerald shiners, gizzard shad, and smelt.
Lake Erie doesn't give up her secrets easily, but with Captain Jake's experience and a well-equipped boat, you're setting yourself up for success on one of the world's premier walleye fisheries. This five-hour trip gives you enough time to really work the water, learn the techniques, and hopefully load the cooler with enough fresh fish for several meals. The central basin fishing can be absolutely phenomenal when conditions align, and even slow days on Erie beat good days on most other lakes. Jake's hands-on approach means you'll leave knowing more about reading water, working lures, and understanding fish behavior than when you arrived. With all gear included and fish cleaning available, all you need to bring is your fishing license, some snacks, and the desire to experience what Lake Erie fishing is all about. Book your trip with Right Hook Walleye Charters and see why anglers travel from across the country to fish these legendary waters.
Captain Jake's 2025 24' Thunderjet is your ticket to Lake Erie's legendary walleye and steelhead action. This spacious fishing machine seats six comfortably and comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - a powerful 300 HP Mercury Pro XS engine to get you to the hot spots fast, plus top-tier electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finders to locate those schools. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, an icebox for your catch and cold drinks, and even a toilet for those long days chasing fish. Whether you're trolling the central basin for walleye or targeting hard-fighting steelhead, this well-appointed vessel handles Lake Erie's conditions with ease. All gear and tackle are included, so just bring your fishing license and get ready to fill the cooler with some of the Great Lakes' finest eating fish.
Oncorhynchus MykissIn Lake Erie, these are your steelhead - rainbows that live like salmon, growing thick and strong in the big water. They average 3-8 pounds but can hit 15+ pounds when conditions are right. You'll find them suspended in 20-60 feet chasing baitfish schools, or shallow during spring and fall runs. Cool water brings the best action - early season and late fall when temps drop below 60°F. These fish are pure athletes, jumping and running like nothing else in the lake. Their pink meat is rich and flavorful, way better than stocked pond rainbows. What makes them special is the fight - they'll go airborne multiple times and peel drag like crazy. Pro tip: when one jumps, bow your rod toward the fish to give slack. Keeps that hook from pulling out during those wild aerial shows.
Sander VitreusThese golden beauties are Lake Erie's bread and butter fish, running 2-6 pounds on average with some pushing 10+. They love rocky structure and drop-offs in 15-30 feet of water, especially around the central basin reefs. Early morning and evening are prime time since their big silvery eyes give them a huge advantage in low light. Spring through fall they're active, but late spring when they're post-spawn hungry is magic. Walleye fight smart rather than flashy - they'll use their head-shaking power to try spitting the hook. What really gets people hooked is the eating - flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My go-to trick: when trolling, slow way down near structure. Most guys run too fast, but walleye want that bait crawling along bottom.
Lake Erie