Lake Erie Fishing Charters
Fishing Lake Erie for Smallmouth Bass and Walleye

Niagara River Fishing Charters
Fishing the Lower Niagara River and the Niagara Bar for Bass, Walleye, Steelhead, Trout and Salmon

Drab6 Fishing Charters - WALLEYE

LAKE ERIE-Walleye is one of the most popular sport fish anywhere. They grow big and plenty here in the Niagara Region. This Lake Erie fishing charter leaves from the NFTA Small Boat Harbor in Buffalo New York. Walleye season opens the 1st Saturday in May through March 15th. With a limit of five fish and minimum length of 15 inches. If you want to catch a limit of four to seven pound fish there is no place in North America better than Lake Erie, it is known as the Walleye capital of the world! The best chance to limit out on these table fair beauties is May thru July. On Lake Erie, they make a nearly 200-mile migration, chasing giant schools of bait into the deeper, cooler water; yet millions of walleyes remain in the Eastern Basin, often frequenting shallow reefs. We slow troll these big waters with bottom bouncers rigged with a worm harness, spoon or stick bait. This is a proven hands on technique. After a limit of Eyes’ have been caught we often split the day and target the Smallmouth bass that frequent these same waters, but that is entirely up to you. The option is there.

NIAGARA RIVER- The Lower Niagara River / Niagara Bar fishing charter leaves from the very scenic Lewiston Landing boat launch in Lewiston New York. Walleye season on Lake Ontario and the Lower Niagara River opens the 1st Saturday in May through March 15th. With a limit of three fish and minimum length of 18 inches. Although from January 1 through March 15 in the Lower Niagara you may only posses one Walleye over 18 inches long. This is to protect their spawning habits. These fish are available all summer long in the river, but your best chance of boating one of these trophies is in late July through September. What seems to be a little known secret is that the Niagara Bar located at the mouth of the Lower Niagara River / Lake Ontario host some of the largest Walleye anywhere. Fish in the fourteen to sixteen pound class are taken annually and over eighteen pounds have been recorded. We drift the Lower Niagara River and the Niagara Bar with a worm harness or jig with one ounce bucktails tipped with a crawler or leech for these monsters. You will not believe your eyes when you see these magnificent fish. I have clients that have fished their entire lives for walleye and didn’t even know they got this big.

When spring ends and summer approaches, oxygen levels in the water change as water temperatures increase. Walleyes now tend to favor shallow reefs or deep basins. This is when temperatures have peaked in the 70°F range, and the lake starts to cool off as fall approaches. Then the whole migration process goes into reverse. So, no need to be intimidated by the Great Lakes: Just remind yourself that 90 percent of the fish are in 10 percent of the water. In all waters, peak walleye feeding occurs at dawn and dusk, a pattern termed “crepuscular.” This feeding cycle lets walleyes feed when their sensory systems offer them an advantage over their prey species. Also, success may be more closely related to the abundance of yellow perch than to the abundance of walleyes. When small perch are dense, walleyes focus so closely on them it makes them easier to locate. Hint Hint LETS GO FISHIN!!!

Capt. Steve (716) 807-6248

If you wish to fish Canadian waters a license is required although there are many hot spots on the American side and is not mandatory. The Lake Erie trip leaves from the Small Boat Harbor in Buffalo.