Lake Erie-NWPA

[bradc36]

I just moved to the area and live 5 min from Presque Isle Bay, is there anyone that lives locally and fishes this part of the lake often? I am having a heck of a time figuring it out...it fishes much different than the area of the Lake I'm used to (Buffalo, NY).

[JPascavage52]

I don't live there, but I make several trips a year to fish it, and I know the area very well

Unfortunately, you just missed the smallmouth run in the bay, which usually starts in April, and goes till early June. If you fish in the channel, you may be able to find some smallies still around, but for the most part, the bay will be mostly largemouth now. In the bay, I like the area off the monument, any of the lagoons, Horseshoe pond, etc. Find a good weedline, and pitch a jig, or work the edge with a worm. Also, there are some lily pads along the peninsula side, there can be some good frog action here. Don't be afraid to check the south side of the bay as well, there are some seawalls, docks, sunken barges, pole structures, etc here that can hold fish. 

On the main lake, in this area, work the areas by the stacks and cribs (http://www.fisherie.com/Lake-Erie-Map). Also, shades beach is a good area. Further east, around 20, 16, and 12 mile creeks is the area commonly referred to as the "Ws," as there is a lot of rocky structure here. In the summertime, you will want to start your search around 25 feet, and work out to around 40 feet. Good electronics and knowledge of them is crucial here, you will want to keep an eye out for structure such as humps, ends of points, or depth changes, as well as schools of baitfish and bass, as the fish will tightly school to structure. Carry your marker buoys and use them. I like tubes (especially Poor Boys Golby), drop shots, jigging spoons, and slow rolling spinnerbaits. Also, I like to fish the Gulp Emerald Shiner minnows on football head jigs.

Good luck.