Fishing in Erie

Generations of anglers have flocked to Erie County for its fishing opportunities in every season. Known as "Steelhead Alley," Erie is renowned for steelhead fishing in the cooler months, is one of the top bass fishing locations in the country in the summer, and Presque Isle Bay is one of the region's most productive ice fishing locations in the winter. 

Fishing Charters

Lake Erie’s central basin is known nationally for record-setting walleye, perch, steelhead, and lake trout, and Erie’s charters are in the thick of it. Local captains bring deep knowledge of the lake and its changing conditions, making each trip a chance to learn from those who know these waters best. Charter fishing season typically runs through October, with the bulk of activity from late spring through early fall. A Pennsylvania fishing license with a Lake Erie stamp is required.

Steelhead fishing

When the weather cools and the leaves turn, steelhead season begins. Each fall and again in early spring, anglers line Lake Erie tributaries in search of fast, acrobatic steelhead trout. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks roughly 1 million juvenile steelhead (smolts) annually into Lake Erie tributaries, more than anywhere else in the state. This creates a robust fishery unmatched elsewhere in Pennsylvania and is a rarity in the eastern U.S. The steelhead run typically peaks between October and April. For a detailed map of steelhead fishing stream access, click here.

Lake Erie Fishing Map   NWPA Fishing Report   FishErie.com 

Popular Fishing Locations

• Lake Erie: The warmest, and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, is consistently ranked among the top bass fishing destinations in the United States, and has played host to major national fishing tournaments, including Bassmaster and Major League Fishing. Lake Erie also offers excellent fishing opportunities for walleye and perch. 
• Presque Isle Bay is one of the largest natural bays on the Great Lakes, with diverse habitats making it productive for multiple species and offering easy shore and boat access for anglers of all skill levels. Shoreline access is plentiful throughout Presque Isle State Park and on the city side, featuring boat launches, public piers, and docks.
  
• Eaton Reservoir This quiet reservoir east of Erie is a man-made dam on a tributary to the West Branch of French Creek created to supply water to North East, PA. It is a great choice for large-mouth bass and pike. Gas-powered boats are not permitted, making it a favorite for those seeking a slower pace.
  
• Lake Pleasant Lake Pleasant is stocked with trout and also home to panfish and bass in the shallows. Access is limited, and only non-motorized boats are permitted. The accessible kayak and canoe launch on the western shoreline requires transporting your boat down a 700-foot gravel path, so if you’re on your own, a dolly can make the trip easier.
  
• Lake LeBoeuf: Ringed with wetlands, Lake LeBoeuf offers limited shoreline fishing but lots of opportunity for boat anglers pursuing bass, musky, and crappies. The lake has no horsepower restriction but is designated “No Wake.”
  
• Edinboro Lake  This glacial lake offers a public beach, boat launches, a fishing pier, and a diverse fish population. It’s part of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Brood Stock Lake program for musky production, and the trout stream below the dam is reserved for youth 12 and under and anglers with disabilities.
  

• Walnut Creek: The Walnut Creek Access Area offers some of the best fishing access on Erie’s west side, and is a favorite for steelhead fishing, especially during the fall and winter when anglers gather to watch the fish swim upstream. With multiple launch ramps, ample parking, restrooms, boat slips, and a fish-cleaning station, the marina is one of the region’s most accessible fishing hubs.

• French Creek One of the most biologically diverse waterways in the eastern U.S., French Creek is a paddler’s favorite and offers excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskellunge.
  

• Lake Erie Tributaries: Stream fishing peaks during the fall and spring steelhead runs, but opportunities exist year-round. Anglers can explore Elk Creek, Crooked Creek, and smaller eastern creeks like Twelve Mile, Sixteen Mile, and Twenty Mile. Read more here.

Pennsylvania Fishing License Information

A valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required of persons age 16 and over to fish or angle for any species of fish. The license must be upon your person and provided upon the request of an officer. A license is also needed to take fish bait or baitfish. Casting and/or retrieving whether by rod, reel and line, or by handline, for oneself or another person, requires a current license unless specifically exempted by law.

Learn more about getting a Pennsylvania fishing license here.