Lake Erie Smallmouth Remain Strong, Summ

It finally happened — the S-word. No, not that one. Snow. Mid-November around Lake Erie usually brings our first taste of winter, and this year was no different. Thankfully, the warm lake and ground temps melted it fast, and we’ll be back on the water soon — just in time for one of the best fishing windows of the year, if the conditions cooperate. The gales of November have been no joke lately. I’ve been glued to the forecast trying to line up guide trips between windstorms. I’ve fished in 6–8 footers before, and trust me, it’s not enjoyable. Whether you’re fishing with a Lake Erie guide service or heading out solo, respect the lake. This time of year, safety and planning are everything. Even though I’m a bass guy at heart, the crossover between smallmouth bass and lake trout tactics has made for some awesome multi-species days lately. The transition from targeting bass to lake trout or walleye is surprisingly seamless. When the wind lets us reach key areas, the Lake Erie smallmouth bass bite has been excellent. Power fishing remains our go-to, but slower presentations are getting more effective as the water cools. One of my favorite late-fall baits is the Fish Sense Binsky blade bait. It’s versatile — perfect for bass, walleye, and trout. Here’s a quick setup guide for anyone experimenting with where to put the snap on top of blade baits: Front hole: Best for horizontal retrieves Second hole: Great all-around for aggressive jigging or casting Third/Fourth holes: Traditional vertical-only jigging setups Mix it up — sometimes small changes in vibration or action make all the difference. The annual Lake Erie Fall Brawl is entering its final stretch, and weights continue to climb as trophy walleye fatten up. The tournament runs through November 30th, and my money’s on the Cleveland-to-Huron corridor producing the winner again this year, as that’s where migrating giants tend to stage. That said, we still have plenty of quality fish right here out of Erie, PA, and 10–12 pounders aren’t out of the question. If the weather holds, I’ll be getting out for another couple of Brawl days between Lake Erie bass, perch, and lake trout guide trips. It’s such a cool event each year and a great reminder of just how special this fishery is. The forecast shows a rebound this week, with normal late-fall temps likely to extend the open water Lake Erie bite a bit longer. I’ll be fishing until the lake locks up, so if you’re after trophy bass, walleye, lake trout, or yellow perch, now’s the time to get in a last trip before winter. We’re already booking into March and April for early-season Lake Erie bass and jumbolina perch adventures. That early window is also perfect for anyone wanting to dial in their electronics setup. Whether you’re running Humminbird, Lowrance, or Garmin (all brands I’ve owned and used a ton), I offer one-on-one boat sessions to help you maximize your investment — from sonar tuning to mapping and forward-facing sonar setup. If you want to experience Lake Erie fishing with a pro, I’ve be able to squeeze in a couple trips before ice-up — and we’re already booking for spring. Come enjoy a world-class fishing experience! Happy early Thanksgiving to you and your family — and tight lines this fall! Captain Destin DeMarion

The gales of November are a common occurrence on Lake Erie — a sure sign that winter is approaching. The fish are well aware of it, too. This is when the gamefish feed hardest, packing in those last calories to sustain them through the cold, slow-metabolism months ahead. It can be some of the most hardcore, yet most rewarding fishing of the entire year. Whether it’s bass, walleye, trout, or jumbo yellow perch, everything is feeding heavy and everything is big. Lately, we’ve been running mostly bass trips, with plenty of bonus catches — and sometimes intentional targets — of giant walleye, steelhead, and lake trout. The multi-species action that fall brings is one of my favorite parts of fishing Lake Erie this time of year. For bass, power fishing has reigned supreme, with traditional heavy-hitting techniques like Alabama Rigs (we’ve been throwing the J-Rig), swimbaits, and crankbaits producing best. There’s good reason for that — not just for bass, but for other predators like walleye, trout, and perch, too. Early in the fall, baitfish like shad dominate the forage base. They’re rich in protein and help these fish fatten up quickly. As water temperatures continue to drop, gobies become a bigger part of the bass diet. I recently had a big walleye spit out a 5” gizzard shad in the net — a good reminder to “match the hatch” when choosing baits. As things cool down further, slower presentations will start to shine. Think goby-style baits or slow-moving shad imitations. Reading the Water Another key element this time of year is water color and temperature. Fall winds and rains stain certain areas as runoff enters from creeks and rivers — drawing both baitfish and predator fish. That added color brings nutrients and can also slightly change temperature. Stained water tends to warm and cool more quickly than clear water, making it more responsive to changing weather conditions. With my background in Environmental Science and Biology, I’m constantly paying attention to these environmental cues — from baitfish behavior to subtle water chemistry changes (limnology). Seeing that “big picture” helps dial in what’s happening on a dynamic system like Lake Erie. Safety and Preparation November is no time to take Lake Erie lightly. The water is cold, and the winds can turn dangerous fast. Always check your safety gear, have contingency plans, and monitor weather conditions closely. I use multiple forecast sources — NOAA, Windy, and Weather Underground — to cross-check before every trip. Remember: conditions can change by the hour this time of year. Dress for worse than what the forecast says. Layers and waterproof outerwear are essential — even on calm days, spray is almost guaranteed. Cold and wet is a dangerous combination. Wear waterproof boots or shoes and quality rain gear. If you’re not familiar with the lake or cold-weather boating, go with an experienced guide. Erie is one of the most powerful and unpredictable freshwater systems in the world. Late Fall Opportunities We’ll keep fishing as long as the weather allows. November is trophy season — for hunters and anglers alike. It’s no coincidence that the deer rut and Erie’s prime big-fish period overlap. We’ve still very limited trips available (weather pending), mainly focused on bass, but also targeting walleye, lake trout, and perch. Both the Fall Brawl and Walleye Slam tournaments are underway, with serious cash prizes up for grabs. As always, we’re sticking to casting and jigging only — using forward-facing sonar (FFS) and other advanced technologies to target the biggest fish. Even on my off days, I’ll be out chasing giants for the Fall Brawl, which runs through November 30th. If you’re signed up for the Brawl and want to fish during the day — I’ve got limited daytime openings for serious trophy hunts. The best bite is right now, as long as Mother Nature cooperates. Looking Ahead It’s never too early to plan for 2026 trips. Spring jumbo perch and trophy smallmouth trips start up in March (weather permitting), followed by prime-time summer walleye casting and jigging adventures. Book early to lock in your preferred dates — the best windows usually get taken up by the regulars first. Tight lines! Captain Destin DeMarion

We just got back from fishing the Canadian Tire Open up in the Niagara Falls region of Canada. It was a fun event and we stuck around the next day to fish another little tournament in the Buffalo area. We ended up cashing a check in both and taking lunker in the 2nd event with a 5.78 lb Lake Erie smallmouth. We got right back into it today, guiding back in Erie, PA, with our longest (and first 11 years ago) going client, and friend, Michael and his son Henry. The first cast of our day yielded a true trophy smallmouth and memory that none of us will soon forget, a 7.14 lb behemoth bass! We were all so excited and in awe for quite some time afterwards. It slowed down some afterwards, but we got on a great power fishing bite a bit later that lasted the rest of our trip and made for a really fun way to catch them. We still have a few dates left in November and 1-2 in October to cash in on some of the best fishing of the year for bass, walleye, perch, and lake trout. Truly, the best is yet to come! -Captain Destin DeMarion