5.0(4 Reviews)Lake Erie Fishing Charters | Private - 7 Hour Perch Trip
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 7hour perch fishing charter on Lake Erie watersSeasonal availability from July through October for optimal catchSmall group capacity with professional South of Heaven guides
Looking for a top-rated fishing charter on Lake Erie? Captain Frank and the South of Heaven Guide Service crew will put you on some of the best perch action you'll find anywhere on the Great Lakes. This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience – we're talking about a private 7-hour charter for just you and a buddy, targeting yellow perch during their peak season from July through October. Lake Erie's western basin is famous for producing monster perch, and we know exactly where to find them when they're feeding heavy.
You'll meet Captain Frank at the dock bright and early, ready to hit prime perch territory while the bite is hot. This 7-hour charter gives us plenty of time to work different spots and put together a serious haul of jumbo perch. We launch from one of Lake Erie's premier marinas and head to proven perch grounds where the bottom structure holds fish year after year. The boat is rigged specifically for perch fishing – clean, well-maintained, and stocked with everything you need for a successful day. Don't worry about bringing tackle or bait; we've got you covered with proven rigs and fresh offerings that these perch can't resist. Captain Frank has been working these waters long enough to know exactly where the schools are holding, and he's not shy about moving spots if the action slows down.
We'll be using classic Lake Erie perch tactics that have been proven to work season after season. Most of our fishing happens with spreader rigs and emerald shiners or crawlers – simple but deadly effective when you know how to present them. We'll anchor up over productive structure and work the bottom where these fish feed. The key is staying mobile and reading the fish finder to locate active schools. Captain Frank will show you how to detect those subtle perch bites and set the hook at just the right moment. When we find a hot school, it's not uncommon to have multiple lines bent at once. We fish in depths ranging from 25 to 45 feet, depending on water temperature and where the baitfish are concentrated. The tackle is light enough to feel every bite but strong enough to handle those chunky Lake Erie perch that can push 12 inches or better.
"We had a bunch of bad weather blow through the day before our trip and it was pretty rough conditions on the lake. He was still able to get on the walleye and we filled the box with some quality fish. Captain Frank worked extremely hard the whole morning and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to book a trip. We would love to come back again sometime." - Joel
"Captain was friendly and knew his stuff. Boat was clean and well equipped. Fish would allow us to get all the lines in the water, as soon as we caught one on a line another was ready to be reeled in. Thanks captain Frank." - Ronald
"We had a great time with Captain Frank, he was very knowledgeable, funny, and helpful. We caught a lot of fish and we all had a good time!" - Tia
American Yellow Perch are the bread and butter of this charter, and Lake Erie grows them bigger than just about anywhere else. These fish typically run 8 to 12 inches, with plenty of jumbo specimens pushing 13 inches and better during peak season. Yellow perch are schooling fish, so when you find one, you'll usually find a bunch more in the same area. They feed heavily on small baitfish, crayfish, and aquatic insects along the bottom structure. The best perch fishing happens from mid-July through September when water temperatures are stable and the fish are fattening up for winter. What makes perch so popular with anglers is their willingness to bite and their reputation as some of the best eating fish in freshwater. They fight with surprising strength for their size and provide steady action when you locate an active school.
While we're primarily targeting perch, don't be surprised if we pick up some bonus Walleye along the way. Lake Erie walleye are world-class, and they often feed in the same areas as perch during certain times of the season. These fish average 2 to 4 pounds but can reach trophy sizes of 8 pounds or more. Walleye are more active during low-light periods, so early morning often produces the best opportunities. They're incredibly popular with anglers because they're both challenging to catch and outstanding table fare. Walleye have excellent eyesight and can be finicky about presentation, which makes landing one even more satisfying. When the walleye bite is on, it can turn a great perch trip into something truly memorable.
Lake Erie's perch season is relatively short but incredibly productive, running from July through October when these fish are most active and concentrated. Captain Frank's calendar fills up fast during peak season, especially for these private charters that offer the flexibility and personal attention you won't get on larger boats. This customer-favorite charter gives you seven full hours to work the best perch spots without worrying about other anglers crowding your space or rushing your fishing. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to load up on perch for the freezer or someone new to Lake Erie fishing, this trip delivers the kind of action and personalized service that keeps people coming back year after year. Book now to secure your dates and get ready for some of the best perch fishing you'll find anywhere on the Great Lakes.
Step aboard our 2019 30-foot Sportcraft cuddy cabin cruiser, your floating base camp for serious perch fishing on Lake Erie. This well-appointed fishing machine seats up to 4 anglers comfortably and packs a punch with its 320HP Mercruiser engine, cruising smoothly at 30 knots to get you to the hottest perch spots quickly. The cuddy cabin design means you'll have shelter when needed, plus essential amenities like an onboard toilet and icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer fishing days. Our fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of yellow perch, while GPS and radar ensure safe navigation even when Lake Erie throws some weather your way. Built for the serious angler who wants comfort without sacrificing fishing performance, this boat handles Lake Erie's conditions with ease while providing plenty of deck space for multiple lines in the water when the perch are biting.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are the bread and butter of Lake Erie fishing, and for good reason. These golden-sided beauties with dark vertical bars typically run 7-10 inches, though we see some pushing a foot or more. They school up in massive groups - sometimes 200+ fish - making for fast action once you locate them. During our July through October season, they hang around structure like reefs, drop-offs, and weed edges in 15-35 feet of water. What makes perch so popular is they bite consistently, fight scrappy for their size, and taste amazing - some of the best eating fish in the lake. Kids love them because they're not too finicky about bait. Pro tip: when you catch one, don't move the boat. Drop your line right back down because where there's one perch, there's usually a whole school waiting below.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the crown jewel of Lake Erie, and once you hook into one, you'll understand why. These golden-olive fish with the distinctive glassy eyes typically range 2-5 pounds, with some real slobs pushing 8+ pounds. They're structure-oriented fish that love rocky reefs, drop-offs, and weed lines, usually holding in 20-45 feet during the day. The bite really turns on during low-light periods - dawn, dusk, and overcast days are prime time. What sets walleye apart is their incredible table fare - firm, white, flaky meat with zero fishy taste. They're also smart fighters that'll test your drag and give you some memorable battles. Here's a local secret: when trolling crawler harnesses, slow down more than you think. We run about 1.2-1.5 mph, and that subtle presentation often makes the difference between a good day and a great one.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a bunch of bad weather blow through the day before our trip and it was pretty rough conditions on the lake. He was still ab...
Captain was friendly and knew his stuff. Boat was clean and well equipped. Fish would allow us to get all the lines in the water, ...
We had a great time with Captain Frank, he was very knowledgeable, funny, and helpful. We caught a lot of fish and we all had a g...
Had a 4 hour morning trip , Frank was very helpful and put us on the fish despite the fog . Had a great time for my first trip to ...
Lake Erie