Expert-Guided Lake Erie Fishing for Beginners

American Yellow Perch

American Yellow Perch (Perca Flavescens) Description

The American Yellow Perch are one of the smaller-sized members of the perch family, Percidae. They have an elongated, oval body with a long blunt snout.  Like most perches, it has two separate dorsal fins.  The first dorsal fin contains 12-14 spines and 12 soft rays. The second has 2-3 spines and 8 soft rays.  They are a golden yellow, however, their color can sometimes vary from bright green to olive green or golden brown. Their sides have a pattern of vertical bars. Their pectoral fins are transparent and amber in color. The juveniles are paler and a whitish color. 

Yellow Perch have a large number of sharp teeth. They are rough to the touch because of their overlapping, comb-like scales.  

Size and Diet

The largest recorded American Yellow Perch is 20 inches although they are more commonly found at 7.5 inches and 2 pounds.

Yellow Perch eat a variety of invertebrates such as insects, mollusks, chitons, snails, and worms. squids, along with small fish.

Spawning

The Yellow Perch spawning occurs in the spring when water temperatures rise above 36 degrees and typically occurs at night or early morning.  Along the shorelines, the females extrude their eggs in long ribbons. You will find them draped along submerged vegetation, dead branches, and trees. Once the females extrude their eggs, groups of male yellow perch will follow and fertilize them.  

Interesting Facts

Yellow perch is one of the easiest fish to catch in all seasons and tastes great. It makes up around 85% of the sport fish caught in Lake Michigan.

Common names for the perch are yellow perch, American perch, and lake perch

In the Northeastern United States, these Perch are an extremely important food source for birds.  The cormorants specifically target yellow perch as their primary prey. Other birds that also prey on them include eagles, gulls, hawks, and many more.

Survival rates of juvenile yellow perch are low because they are much preyed upon.  

Fishing Technique

To catch these fish, a good ultralight spinning or spin-cast combo spooled with 2-4lb (1-2kg) mono works well. 

Most yellow perch catches will be made with live bait. You can't go wrong with minnows, leeches, or worms, but you can use almost any insect or small fish or fish parts. 

If you are looking at lures, small jigs, spinners, and jigging spoons will work.

Yellow perch are schooling fish and it's not unusual to see a school of 200 fish. Go get'em!

Habitat and Distribution

These Perch live in ponds, lakes, creeks, and slow-flowing rivers. You will find them in heavily vegetated waters among reeds, weeds, docks, and other structures. You may find large schools of Yellow Perch near the shore during the spring. They can also be found in brackish water. 

Yellow Perch are found in the rivers of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River basin, and throughout the majority of the northeast United States and parts of Canada.

Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish (Ictalurus Furcatus) Fish Description

Blue Catfish are known for their slate-blue bodies. However, they are often mistaken for the Channel Catfish because of their appearance. To identify them, people usually count the rays on their fins. Blue Catfish only have 30-36 rays on their fins. Another is to look closely at the anal fin. Blue Catfish’s anal fin has a squared-off edge whereas Channel Catfish have a rounded anal fin. They also have a dorsal hump which the Channel Catfishes don’t really have.

Known also as Blue Cat, Blue Catfish have similar traits to that of their catfish cousins. They have a deeply forked tail which is where they got their scientific name. Blue Catfish also have a bit of an underbite, which makes them more prone to surface feeding. Blue Catfish, like all other catfish, have whisker-looking barbels that place them in the Catfish group.

Blue Catfish Diet and Size

Blue Catfish are terrifying hunters and are often described as opportunistic. Like their other catfish cousins, they eat virtually anything. Though, they have a preference for crawfish, some freshwater mussels, frogs, and other aquatic substances that are readily available. Larger Blue Catfish are also known to become predators of the Asian Carp. 

Anglers usually notice the Blue Catfish feasting on some baitfish under a school of feeding Striped Bass. In a way, Blue Catfish act like scavengers when it comes to hunting for food.

Blue Catfishes are the largest among all the North American catfish species. Blue Catfish range between 25-46 inches and weigh at an average of 81.5 lbs.

Interesting Facts about the Blue Catfish

• Blue Catfish are considered pests in some states like Virginia.
  • When anglers catch Blue Catfish, they’re usually told to kill them to cull their numbers.
  • Blue Catfish love feeding on Blue Crabs which is detrimental to Virginia’s fisheries.
• Blue Catfish are so sturdy for their ability to handle brackish water.
  • It has a low mortality rate due to its intimidating size and its success rate as a hunter.
• Because the population of Blue Catfish exploded, some people have even resorted to electrofishing.
  • Electrofishing is a technique that scientists often use to stun or impair the fish.
    • Doing this allows them to research more into the fish.
  • However, some states have opted to use Electrofishing as a means of culling Blue Catfish. Some have caught around 700 Blue Catfish per hour!

Blue Catfish – Fishing Techniques: How to Fish for a Blue Catfish

Like any catfish, they prefer freshly-cut up bait. Having cut fresh bait has the blood of the bait drip into the water which will seduce the catfish via its taste receptors on its body. Once the Blue Catfish detects it, they’ll start heading to your bait. Some people have noted that herring, sardine, and even chicken liver will be a good bait for catching a Blue Catfish.

As for leaving your bait, let it sink all the way to the ground. Blue Catfish are opportunistic so they’re not going to attack a bait that’s constantly moving. Let it fall to the ground until you feel a nibble. Wait for a good 1-2 nibbles (though it depends on how much bait you put) before reeling it in.

Others use Electrofishing which uses a cathode and anode to attract them to you. Once they come to you, they’ll suffer a slight “stun” or shock but that doesn’t affect their meat quality. It will make it easier for you to catch though and you just might find yourself hauling out a lot.

Make sure you also bring leather gloves or gloves that have a lot of friction. They’re slimy and they will put up a fight so you’ll need gloves to have a good grip on these slippery creatures.

Blue Catfish Habitat and Distribution

The best place to start fishing for Blue Catfish is a place where they are considered pests. So, Virginia might be a good place to start.

Once there, start looking in lakes and rivers. Blue Catfish stay in those kinds of places but they do have a specific requirement: it has to be near some sort of tidal creek. Since Blue Catfishes follow the tides, they usually end up the creek and stay there especially if they found a channel or hole to their liking. The holes need to deep and have to be muddy at the bottom. Once, there you can give it a shot.

Sheepshead

Sheephead Fish (Archosargus Probatocephalus) Description 

The Sheepshead is a beautiful fish with a deeply compressed grey body. They have five to seven dark bars on the sides of its body, giving it the nickname of convict fish. They also have sharp dorsal spines, but what they are really famous for are their human-like teeth. 

Size 

Sheepshead are common at 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches. However, if you are lucky, you could come across one at 20 pounds, 35-inches. They live a relatively long life, about 20 years. 

Spawning 

Sheepshead form spawning groups of up to 10,000 fish. They migrate to structures at channel passes and offshore reefs, jetties, and oil platforms. They primarily spawn in the early spring from February through April. 

Interesting Facts 

• Sheepshead fish are nicknamed convict fish for their gray and black stripes.
• Sheepshead Bay in New York got its name from these fish there were once abundant. However, the bay's popularity caused water pollution, and the Sheepshead have all but disappeared from the bay.
• The delicate white flesh and delicious mild flavor of the Sheepshead make it excellent table fare, but their tough scales and strong fin spines make this species difficult to clean or fillet. Because of this, it is sometimes passed over in favor of other food fish.

Habitat and Distribution

You will find these fish around structures of any kind, docks, bridges, petroleum rigs, and reefs. Any barnacle-covered pilings make for great places to catch some big Sheepshead fish. Although they usually stay near cover, occasionally, they will also come closer to shore to feed on sand fleas (a type of crab). 

Sheepshead are found along the entire east coast of the United States and around Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. The highest concentrations are found in south Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. Because of the large number of artificial structures and pier pilings in northwest Florida, you will also find large concentrations. They can also be found as far north as Nova Scotia. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Sheepshead

If your fishing from a boat, pull up to the structure without dropping an anchor, if possible, as it will startle the fish. They seldom go after baits too far from their cover, so get as close as you can. Anglers on land can still catch the big one off the dock or seawall. Just as the boat angler would do, cast your bait as close to the pilings as possible. Using light tackle, let the bait hit bottom, then slowly bring the bait up in 1-foot increments to determine where the fish are suspended in the water as they are pelagic. They may lurk near the bottom or hover in any depth. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers. They will nibble on the bait in an attempt to loosen it from the hook, so always have it set up firmly. They also have powerful mouths and jaws, so once you feel the fish's weight nibbling at the bait, set the hook aggressively.

Look for these King-of-the-Reef fish around structures where they love to feed on barnacles, small stone crab, and fiddler crab. They also eat shrimp, mollusks, minnows, clams, and squid. When choosing a bait, a natural one is the best way to go. However, if you are looking for a jig to use, consider a shrimp-tipped jig. The heavier weight helps keep the bait down and from being dragged with the current. If your local laws allow, you may even scrape barnacles off the pilings with a rake to create a seeping area of meat pieces in the water. The Sheepshead will quickly hone in on the scent, and you will have them come to you. 

Sheepshead Good to Eat?

Sheepshead is an excellent choice for those who love delicious, sustainable seafood options. This fish has a mild flavor that makes it suitable for any palate. Its white, sweet and succulent flesh is a perfect complement to any dish. Sheepshead is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making it a healthy choice for anyone looking to maintain a well-balanced diet. It is also low in mercury, which means you can enjoy it without worrying about any potential health risks.   A diet rich in Sheepshead fish can help in improving heart health by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart diseases. It can also support brain function, boost immunity, and aid in muscle growth and repair. Whether grilled, baked, or fried, Sheepshead fish is an excellent addition to any meal.  So, if you have not tried this fish yet, it is time to do so and discover its exceptional taste and health benefits.

Walleye

Walleye (Sander Vitreus) Description

Walleye are freshwater fish that is a part of the perch family. They are a very popular game fish for the angler in the regions where they are found, and also a favorite for the dining table. Walleye are long and thin and have a golden and olive coloring with white bellies. One predominant feature of the walleye is its eyes, which have a silver eyeshine called the tapetum lucidum.  This eyeshine greatly aids the walleyes when feeding in low-light conditions. 

Walleye Habitat and Distribution 

Walleye live in a wide range of habitats. In small to large rivers, to deep and shallow lakes. They are fairly particular to where they like to be in these bodies of water and see out sand, rock, or gravel bottoms. Walleye will usually stay deeper in the water column during daylight hours and use weeds, timber, or other structures for cover. In River systems, they will likely spend their daylight hours in deep holes and drop-offs, and move out into the shallows to seek forage during the lowlight period. Walleyes can tolerate water temperatures from 32 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit but are most comfortable when water temperatures are at 70 degrees. Walleye are nocturnal creatures that feed in shallow waters at night. Adult walleye primarily consume other fish. Small crustaceans and insects, primarily mayflies, are eaten by young walleye.

Walleye are found in the Arctic south of Canada down to the Great Lakes region and east to the St. Lawrence systems. Lake Erie is a well-known home of walleye anglers and great walleye fishing. The Midwest and Canada are the most popular areas with the best fishing, but over decades the species has been introduced artificially into lakes and reservoirs all over North America. The breathtaking waters of Lake of the Woods and Rainy River have earned the title of "Walleye Capital of the World." It has some of the best fishing in the world, and anglers come here year after year in search of that elusive record catch.

Typical Size and Weight

Walleye are reasonably large fish with a sleek and conical body shapes and a mouth lined with sharp teeth. the adult walleye can grow to 30 inches or more in length and top out at around 20 pounds in weight. Females generally grow larger than males. 

Interesting Facts 

The Walleye also has a European counterpart, the zander, that looks very similar but the zander can grow much larger and can reach a weight of 40 plus pounds. 

The walleye can live for decades, with the oldest recorded fish being 29 years old. In areas with heavy fishing pressure however, Walleye usually don’t live past 5 or 6 years of age. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Walleye

Walleye can be a challenging game fish to pursue. Their location in a body of water and the tactics used to catch these fish can vary depending on certain times of the year. Walleye generally live at depths of 10 feet or greater, though in the spring and at night they can be found in shallow water areas. Freshwater fishing for walleye is best in the evening when minnow-style lures or jigs are fished near the bottom over rock piles or along the edges of weed beds.

Finding the fish is one of the biggest challenges for the walleye angler and the best place to start it by fishing structure. The angler should search multiple types of structure at varying depths to figure out where the walleye are on any given day. Be sure to check break lines, deep weed edges rock piles, and even in the middle of the basin for suspended schools of baitfish. With a little bit of time on water exploration, you will find the Walleye population.

Live bait is the key to successful Walleye catches such as minnows, nightcrawlers, and leeches.  One of the best techniques is a live bait rig, to which you troll your lure slowly along the bottom. These rigs include a ¼ or a ½ pound sinker, a swivel, a 3 - 6 foot leader of a 6-pound fishing line, and a No. 4 or 6 hook.

Is Walleye Good to Eat

Walleye is a delicious fish making it a popular choice among seafood lovers. The mild, flaky texture of the fish along with its sweet, buttery flavor is enough to make anyone's mouth water. This makes walleye an excellent ingredient that pairs well with a wide variety of dishes. Whether you fry or grill it, walleye never fails to impress with its delicious taste. So, if you're looking for a healthy and tasty addition to your meals, walleye is definitely the way to go!

Walleye meat has a firm texture that holds up well to cooking methods such as grilling, frying, or baking. Its mild taste can be enhanced by seasoning it with herbs and spices or marinating it in your favorite sauce. Walleye also has low levels of mercury and other harmful contaminants, making it safe to eat regularly.
When preparing walleye, remove the skin and bones before cooking. This will give you a clean fillet.

However, it's not just its flavor that makes it so popular. Walleye is also a very nutrient-dense food that provides numerous health benefits. It's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and selenium, all of which are essential for maintaining optimal health. Omega-3s are known to reduce inflammation in the body and improve heart health, while B vitamins play a crucial role in energy production and maintaining a healthy nervous system. Selenium is an important mineral that helps protect against oxidative damage and supports the immune system. By adding Walleye to your diet, you not only get the pleasure of savoring a delicious meal but also the nutritional benefits that come along with it. So, go ahead and indulge in this delectable fish to keep your body healthy and functioning at its best.
 

White Bass

White Bass (Morone chrysops) Fish Description

Also known as Sand Bass or Silver Bass, the White Bass is a member of the Moronidae or Bass Family.

As its name suggests, the White Bass is primarily colored silvery-white to pale green. Its back is darker, but its belly and sides are white. The White Bass has narrow and dark stripes along the sides of its belly. It has rough scales that are distinctively big; it possesses two dorsal fins. Its body is compressed laterally.

To identify White Bass, look for a lateral line with around 51 to 60 scales. This species also has dorsal fins numbering 12 to 14; anal fin rays, 11 to 14; pectoral fin ray, 15 to 17; and 20 to 25 gill rakers. Another characteristic of the White Bass is its prominent tooth patch near the tip of its tongue.

Diet and Size

As a carnivorous feeder, the White Bass has at least four favorite major diet options: the leptodora, daphnia, cyclopoid copepods, and calanoid copepods. White Bass are visual feeders who will readily bite any live bait especially minnows and worms.

The White Bass can measure up to 10 to 12 inches in length; some are even recorded to have reached 18 inches. Generally, they weigh up to 7 pounds.

Interesting Facts About the White Bass

• The White Bass is Oklahoma’s state fish.
• The White Bass has gained acclaim as a significant sport fish in Manitoba since it was introduced there in the 1960s.
• The White Bass has a “fake” spinous ray. It also has a homocercal tail.
• Female White Bass lay around 240,000 to 930,000 eggs; they spawn from mid-March to late May.
• One unusual mating ritual among the White Bass is how males bump against the female’s abdomen. After that, the female goes near the surface to begin spinning and releasing eggs.

White Bass — Fishing Techniques

The White Bass is very popular among recreational anglers; in fact, this is the fifth most favored species among licensed fishers from Texas.

Once you sight a school of White Bass, make sure to use spinners or spoons along the water surface to entice them. One other common method of luring them is by using bottom fishing at night; you can also utilize live bait.

You can use small jigs as artificial lures; a 1/8 ounce marabou jig should do the trick. For best results, use jigs that are black or white. If you go for soft plastic lures, try the tube bait, or a small jig head with a curly tail grub. One other lure you can utilize is a small jig packed with soft plastic swimbaits; you can have either the 1/8 or ¼ ounce jigs.

Be careful because White Bass are known to be aggressive fighters. However, this struggle may be worth it because of its exceptional taste.

Note that every state may have some regulations as to the size, length, and other factors related to capturing this fish.

White Bass Habitat and Distribution

The White Bass are fairly distributed in the US, especially in the Midwest. They are plenty around Lake Erie and Pennsylvania. Most of the White Bass population are native to Lake Poinsett, Detroit River, Arkansas River, the Great Lakes, and the Red River drainage. They also inhabit the lakes in Winnebago, Wisconsin and the rivers in Mississippi.

This species generally inhabits big rivers and shallow rivers, reservoirs, streams, and creeks. They are often found upstream where there are high densities.