Port Clinton, OH, is known as “the Heart of It All” and the “Walleye Capital of the World.” Fishing in Port Clinton is a way of life, and everyone takes it seriously. The city’s surrounded by the rich waters of Lake Erie, the sheltered Sandusky Bay, and the Portage River. With such generous fishing grounds, it’s not surprising that Port Clinton is home to generations of anglers.
As a perfect spot for a relaxing Great Lakes getaway – and just a short drive from Cleveland – Port Clinton has been getting more and more attention in recent years. Both locals and tourists come to explore its shores throughout the year since fishing here never stops.
This guide will discuss everything you need to know about the Port Clinton fishing scene. You’ll learn about the top species, spots, seasonality, techniques, and more. So let’s dive right in!
Best Fish to Catch in Port Clinton
Despite being called the Walleye Capital of the World, Port Clinton isn’t just about Walleye fever. The fishing menu here can satisfy even the most seasoned freshwater veteran, with a perfect mix of classic and exotic species.
Jumbo Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Northern Pike, and Rainbow Trout are among the most popular catches. But there’s also Bullhead, Quillback, Carp, White Perch, and White Bass, along with two sorts of Sturgeon and Musky. And that’s not all! Read on to find out about the stars of the show.
Walleye
It’s hard to name a more iconic Port Clinton fish species than Walleye. They’re beloved, plentiful, and fun to catch.
The best place to be is the western basin of Lake Erie. The Walleye season begins as early as late winter and goes well into fall, although ice fishing is also a thing when the conditions allow. As the winter temperatures fade out and the ice melts, it’s game on. Walleye head to the shallow reefs in February to spawn, and you can target smaller fish by mid-March. The best time to catch Walleye is between July and August, especially in the early mornings or late evenings.
These superstars grow to anywhere between 10–40 pounds. Anglers target pre-spawning Walleye by drifting with spinners, which is a productive technique throughout the season and until early November. Jigs with blade baits and minnows also work well, along with weight-forward spinners, nightcrawlers, and minnow leeches outside of the spawning period. In addition to that, you can try bottom bouncing, jigging, spinning, and trolling, especially with planer boards.
Yellow Perch
It goes without saying that Port Clinton’s fishing menu isn’t limited to Walleye. Yellow Perch are common targets throughout the year. The best time to fish for them is between July and August, although anglers can target them during the winter months, too.
Summer Perch are mostly active during the early morning hours, while the late afternoon is the best time to hunt for them in fall. A lot of anglers target them around Catawba Island State Park, although you can definitely check out other spots throughout the city. Locals often use spreaders when fishing for Perch, sticking to the generous daily limit of 30 fish.
Smallmouth Bass
In early summer, Smallmouth Bass anglers get up a few hours before sunrise, pack their gear, and head to a local honey hole for some action. The season comes to an end in the late fall.
Lake Erie’s western basin is the best spot to target Smallies in the area, although you can also check out its tributaries. The waters near Oak Harbour and Put-in-Bay are popular among local anglers. Look for rocky structure and drop-offs, nearshore reefs, humps, shoals, piers, rocky bottoms, break walls, shelves, and areas where the water reaches 15–35 feet deep. In general, the depth depends on water clarity, available forage, and weather conditions.
Port Clinton Bass fishermen use live bait, such as crayfish and shiner minnows, along with artificials: jigs, plastic worms, and scented baits. Note that all fish less than 14 inches long must be released back into the water. The daily bag limit is five fish per person, although catch-and-release is a common practice.
Catfish
The waters of Port Clinton are also home to Blue and Flathead Catfish, as well as their tasty Channel Catfish cousins. Anglers target them an hour before sunset or two hours after sunset between late March and early May. Nighttime Catfish fishing is also popular.
After the sun goes down, these deep-water fish head to feed in the shallows. Scented baits work well after dark since Catfish can pinpoint live bait. Light tackle, cut bait fishing, and bottom fishing are among the most popular techniques to target Port Clinton Catfish. You can catch them in Portage River or around Sandusky Bay, especially by the old bridge.
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow Trout fishing in Port Clinton is great in Lakeside Marblehead, within a short ride from Port Clinton. Anglers can either travel for 15 minutes by car or go around Catawba Island on the water. You can catch Rainbow Trout throughout the year, although the period from April to July is considered to be the best time to visit, with another peak season hitting in September.
Rainbows bite well from dawn for a couple of hours after sunrise. One of the most important factors for a successful Trout trip is to find the right temperature to target the fish. They prefer cold waters that stay below 70 degrees with plenty of oxygen.
How to Go Fishing in Port Clinton
Depending on where you go and which species you’re after, there are various productive fishing techniques in Port Clinton. As we mentioned earlier, some species react well to drift fishing, although the winds don’t always cooperate. That’s when trolling can really make a difference. It’s the most popular method to catch Walleye, especially when using planer boards.
Port Clinton is also a good ice fishing spot. In fact, some winter anglers take an air taxi out of the city and fly to Put-in-Bay to fish the South Bass Island waters. As well as that, ice fishing is popular in Sandusky Bay, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Catawba Island State Park, and Mouse Island off Marblehead.
Whether you’re interested in trolling, jigging, ice fishing, drifting, or anything else, it’s always a good idea to book a charter with a local guide. There are multiple fishing charter services throughout the city, catering to anglers of all ages and skill levels.
Port Clinton Fishing Spots
Now that you know what to target, it’s time to talk about where you can go. Riverside Marina, West Lakeshore Drive, and Fisherman’s Wharf are among the most popular departure points in the city, although there are many other spots.
Lake Erie
Lake Erie’s western basin is the place to be if you’re after Walleye. In fact, some say that there are more Walleye than anywhere else in the world! Port Clinton is known for its liberal limits and no closed season.
Here’s a quick list of spots to explore on Lake Erie:
- Catawba Island State Park. This is a 10-acre park on the west side of Catawba Island. There’s a fishing pier, where you can target Walleye, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, and White Bass. As well as that, you can use one of its four launch ramps, try canoeing, kayaking, and enjoy the cobblestone beach.
- East Harbor State Park. East Harbor State Park is a perfect place for nature lovers. You’ll be able to enjoy various outdoor activities and, of course, fishing. Bluegill, Crappie, and Carp are all on the menu here.
- South Bass Island State Park. This 33-acre park is located on the white cliffs of South Bass Island. Allowing easy access to Lake Erie, you can enjoy some of the best fishing opportunities this Great Lake has to offer.
Portage River
While Lake Erie takes a lot of glory, fishing the Portage River is also popular among both local and visiting anglers. This is a west-to-east flowing river that empties into Lake Erie right in Port Clinton.
Fishermen head to the Portage for some fall, spring, and summer Bass. Yellow Perch bite well in May, springtime is best for Catfishing, while in summer, you can target Walleye. And that’s not all! If you’re a winter enthusiast, come to the Portage River for a healthy dose of Perch and Brown Trout, along with the occasional Northern Pike.
Sandusky Bay
When Lake Erie’s waters get rough, the sheltered Sandusky Bay is the perfect place to be. It teems with fish from April all the way through October. That’s not to say that you can’t fish the bay in the winter – quite the opposite, actually! The area is actually known for its ice fishing season.
Fishing aside, you can enjoy Kelley’s Island State Park beach or explore Cedar Point’s 364-acre amusement park. If you’re visiting Port Clinton and the nearby area in the company of someone who’s not fishing, they won’t get bored while you’re catching dinner in the bay.
When to Go Fishing in Port Clinton
All four seasons in Port Clinton have something to offer. Fishing in shallow waters is productive during the spring months. You can target Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, and Walleye close to shore, especially around the reefs and outside the rack edge. In summer, pretty much everything bites well. Anglers fish near the deepwater reefs in June, before moving back to the shallows in fall.
Water temperatures usually begin to drop in October, impacting fish behavior. However, you can still have a productive trip for Smallmouth Bass and Yellow Perch. As Lake Erie freezes in winter, anglers usually go ice fishing in the Western Basin. The targets include Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout, and Northern Pike, along with Walleye.
As we mentioned earlier, the vast majority of anglers fish during the morning and evening hours during the summer months. Afternoon fishing is better in spring and fall. The time of the day isn’t the only factor to consider, though. Tides affect fishing success, so you might want to check if you’re fishing the right tide – the best action occurs during rising and falling tides.
Fishing in Port Clinton FAQs
Fishing in Port Clinton – Walleye, Perch, and Everything in Between
Season after season, fishing in Port Clinton doesn’t disappoint. Some anglers come for Walleye and stay for Perch. Others collect all the Catfishing spots they can find. Whatever freshwater fishing experience you’re after, chances are you’ll want to come back next season. Who knows, you might even make Port Clinton your all-season fishing haven!
There you have it. Have you ever been fishing in Port Clinton? What’s your favorite species to target –aside from Walleye? Let us know in the comments below!
