As fall settles over Lake Erie, anglers gear up for some of the season’s best fishing.
From yellow perch to walleye and steelhead trout, Ohio’s western basin is alive with activity as fish prepare for winter and anglers chase their next big catch.
Tim Joseph, a seasoned charter captain and Utica native with over 30 years of experience running Lighthouse Fishing Adventures near Port Clinton, said the fish are biting right now and shared insights on what anglers can expect this season.
Joseph explained that late summer through early fall can sometimes be slow for walleye in the western basin, from the islands to Toledo, but things are turning around as September and October arrive.
“August, September, a little historically slower months in the western basin for walleye,” Joseph told the Mount Vernon News. “The perch bite’s getting a little bit better now and the walleye bite’s starting to pick up a little bit now. It’s kind of a yearly event and fishing just does nothing but get better from now till ice up in December or January.”
The walleye daily limit in Ohio Waters is 6 per person with the majority of the fish ranging from 18 to 24 inches.
Joseph noted that anglers can expect “big fish, relatively quick limits, you know, when the weather allows” this time of year.
The yellow perch fishery is particularly strong this fall.
The daily limit for perch is six per person in Ohio’s Lake Erie waters, with fish usually measuring between 8 and 12 inches. Many anglers use shiner minnows on perch rigs to target these popular panfish near the lake’s bottom.
“Perch fishing is gonna be shiner minnows on, we like to use perch fly rigs or perch crappie rigs,” Joseph said. “There’s lots of things you can use for ‘em, but it’s mostly shiners near the bottom.”
For walleye, Joseph shared that as water temperatures drop into the 50s in the fall, fish move closer to nearshore rocky areas at depths of 20 to 30 feet, feeding heavily before winter.
“Those fish right now are kinda coming back closer to the river mouth ‘cause they’re following the shad migration,” he said. “They’re thinking about one thing and that’s fattening up for winter.”
Joseph’s charters often use crankbaits such as Bandits and Reef Runners, the latter a sponsor of his business.
“Most of this fall we'll be pulling crankbaits,” he said. He explained how these lures are especially effective during the fall season.
“[Reef Runners] are good, larger profile crankbaits, and sometimes we'll fish at night in shallow water, pulling really short, really high lead, so fish are in shallow water,” Joseph said.
Bottom bouncing, jigging, and trolling with lead-core lines or divers are other popular techniques he recommends depending on conditions.
Anglers looking for extra excitement can also join fall tournaments like the “Fall Brawl” and the “Walleye Slam.”
“There’s a big thing going on right now called the Fall Brawl that just started,” Joseph said. “And also the Walleye Slam. They’re derbies where you can win $150,000 plus a boat for the biggest fish. The Fall Brawl has about 12,000 people and the Walleye Slam about 8,000. They flood the area with fishermen from ten or fifteen states. It’s been going on for eight or ten years.”
Over the years Joseph has fished quite a few tournaments himself.
“I started fishing up at Lake Erie back in the early nineties,” he said. “I started fun fishing recreationally, then got more serious and began fishing some local walleye tournaments at Lake Erie. Eventually, I ended up fishing a couple national circuits, the MWC, Masters Walleye Classic.”
Beyond perch and walleye, fall brings steelhead trout runs into Lake Erie tributaries, with fish averaging 25 inches and 5 to 6 pounds, and trophies over 30 inches common.
Other popular fall targets include bass, crappie and sunfish, which feed aggressively as they prepare for winter. Crappie tend to school near structures like fallen trees and spillways, while bass hunt in shallow bays and around baitfish concentrations.
Walleye and saugeye also become more active through late fall, with anglers using jigs and twister tails near underwater structure to find feeding fish.
Joseph also noted the diversity of anglers his charters attract.
“I’ve got guys that come from as far away as North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan,” he said. “People come from all over the country to fish Lake Erie. It’s a really popular destination for walleye.”
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, fall on Lake Erie offers some of the best fishing opportunities of the year. With a variety of species actively feeding and multiple techniques to try, anglers can enjoy the rich heritage and abundant resources of Ohio’s waters.
For more information or to book a trip, Joseph invites interested anglers to contact Lighthouse Fishing Adventures by email at lighthousefishingadventures@yahoo.com or by phone at (740) 462-8344.
Anglers with Lighthouse Fishing Adventures show off their catches on Lake Erie during the fall season. From yellow perch to trophy walleye, the cooler months offer some of the best fishing of the year in Ohio’s western basin. (Facebook / Lighthouse Fishing Adventures LLC)
