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Cleveland Fishing Charters

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Cleveland, OH, is a fantastic destination to explore the very best that Lake Erie has to offer anglers. And with cold, clear streams nearby as well, there’s no excuse not to plan the freshwater adventure of a lifetime.

Walleye, perch, smallmouth bass, and trout are abundant in the area, as are ideal spots to catch them.

Take a look at the Top Cleveland Fishing Charters to guide you!

Fishing in Cleveland

The area’s charter captains, often launching from Lorain or Vermilion, are experienced experts at locating and catching trophy-class walleye and perch on Lake Erie. And whether you have just a few hours to spend on the water or want the full-day experience, they’re happy to help.

Anglers who prefer to go it alone have legions of options, too.

Metroparks

Cleveland’s metro area is blessed by a fantastic network of parks, and among them, you’ll find two that really stand out for anglers: Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair.

The Lake St. Clair Metropark is immediately adjacent to Detroit, offering easy access to the lake’s abundant populations of muskie, walleye, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass. And despite what you might think given its proximity to major urban centers, Lake St. Clair’s water quality is high, making it a popular destination for anglers.

The Lake Erie Metropark is situated directly on the lake for which it is named, allowing access to the best fishing in the northern U.S and southern Canada. Famed for its walleye and perch, summer is the ideal time to give Lake Erie a try.

Rocky River Marina

Just a short ride up river from Lake Erie, Rocky River Marina is one of Cleveland’s best locations for anglers.

Wallace Lake

While walleye and perch are the local specialties, Wallace Lake proves that you can never judge a book by its cover. Accessible from shore or via a public boat launch, the lake offers exceptional largemouth bass fishing in addition to panfish, pike, walleye, and catfish.

Edgewater Park Beach

For anglers fishing from shore, Edgewater Park Beach offers access to Lake Erie’s prime fishing, and for the truly adventurous, it makes a great base camp for ice fishing!

Rules & regulations

There’s no need for a fishing license if you’re fishing aboard a licensed charter. If you want to venture out on your own, you’ll need to purchase a valid license. Regulations on bag and size limits apply, and your captain will keep you informed on these.

Please be aware that conditions on Lake Erie can deteriorate rapidly, and due to its shallow depth, high waves develop almost without warning.

Cleveland Fishing Seasons

  • January

    The New Year greets anglers with frigid temperatures. The truly adventurous can try their hand at ice fishing, and the steelhead bite is picking up in expectation of February.

    February

    Ice fishing continues on the hard water, offering abundant opportunities for panfish and perch. Steelhead season is at its prime as well.

    March

    March can be a fickle month, switching from winter to spring in a day. Evidently, the steelhead don’t mind, though, because the fishing is still excellent!
  • April

    Locals know that April is famous for the annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby, so be sure to bring your favorite pink plastic tackle! The steelhead are still running strong, but as the ice recedes, walleye, perch, and smallmouth fishing picks up.

    May

    Warm water brings plenty of energy for feeding, and May means walleye, smallie, and perch fishing is booming.

    June

    For bass anglers, June means only one thing: the Great Lakes Largemouth Series The walleye, perch, catfish, and smallies don’t mind all that attention directed toward largemouth, though, and June can be a great time to target them.
  • July

    The weather and water are really heating up in July, and fishing for smallmouth in the evening is a time-honored tradition. Walleye, perch, and catfish remain plentiful as prey is abundant.

    August

    The warm-water excitement continues, and fishing for all species but steelhead remains excellent.

    September

    September brings cooling water temperature and ideal conditions for yellow perch. Falling temps also cue the return of steelhead, but walleye fishing is beginning to fade.
  • October

    By now, the fish know winter is coming, and it’s a great time to fish for largemouth bass looking to fatten up. Opportunities for steelhead are excellent as well, as is perch fishing.

    November

    Locals know that November means perch fishing is at its yearly best as walleye, bass, and catfish slow down in the cold. Steelhead fishing is going strong, and this is a great time to explore the last of the open water.

    December

    Ice fishing for perch and panfish begins in earnest as temperatures plummet and winter brings its worst to bear on the Lake. The steelhead don’t mind, and December is perhaps the best season to catch trophy trout.

Top Targeted Species in Cleveland

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