With the sun rising over Catawba Island on Sunday morning and a trickle of breeze, we loaded up the Erie Quest and headed towards the remote waters surrounding Pelee Island. The forecast was for light south winds and temperatures near 90 degrees. For many fisherman these could be tough conditions to fish Lake Erie on, but these fisherman were cut from a different cloth, on this Big Pond adventure were some of Indiana Walleye's finest present, along with a guide that has been fishing Lake Erie since he was a boy..."yes sir boyz"...we were ready to "Get er Done"
After calling into Canadian Customs and getting our fishing licenses, we headed to a deep water spot near the Canadian Shipping Channel and set out for some tasty Yellow Perch. The perch were present in large numbers and were definitely cooperating...sometimes two at a time! After 4 hours we had boated over 200 Jumbo Yellow Plumpkins and the cooler was full of tasty perch...mmm...biggest perch was 12 1/2 inches, with many, many 10 & 11 inch perch caught.
With a great morning of fish catching behind us, it was time to do battle with Lake Erie smallmouth bass, sometimes more commonly known as Lake Erie "footballs" because they are so thick and plump. The Bass fishing is only getting better as the season progresses and after 4 hours of fishing 'em...we had boated and released over 35 Bronzebacks...most averaging around 3-4 pounds.
On Sunday morning and with an optimism in the air, Erie Quest Charters left the marina and headed to one of our favorite Smallmouth Bass fishing spots, one of Pelee's many offshore reefs. This particular reef about 4 miles from Pelee is loaded with Smallmouth. So, we motored the boat close to our spot, and set-up for our first drift of the day for Lake Erie smallmouth bass. Within minutes I heard a "splash, splash"...and Jiggin Jimmy Lang had "stuck" the 1st Bronzeback of the day. Seconds later I heard "fish-on" and Jim "Jon Boat" Smith was hooked up with a nice Jumper! Wow! Some great bass fishing. We boated 13 nice Smallies on our first rift and then set-up for our 2nd sfrift of the day. Splash-jump-splash-jump...and 8 more Smallmouth were caught!
After we boated 30+ Smallmouth in a morning of world-class Smallmouth Bass fishing, we headed to Chickenolee Reef, SE of Pelee Island for some walleye fishinig. I knew this reef, composed of Canadian Glacial shield rock, close to open, deep water held walleyes and smallmouth bass. At times...trophy walleye and trophy smallmouth bass. On the first pass I heard a huge spash and saw a trophy Smallmouth Bass rocket out of the water and shake his head from side to side, trying to throw the hook. Again the fish rocketed out of the water, 3 feet into the air, twisting, spiraling, splash, splash...back in the water. But, on this day...Jon Boat Jim would realize one of his fishing goals...boating a 20 inch Smallmouth Bass for the wall.
On the 2nd drift, near this remote Canadian rock shield shoal...I moved the boat to 32 feet of water and marked a number of walleyes, with several very large walleye "marks" on the fish finder. Bang a 20" walleye was caught, then a 22 inch walleye, and then...BANG...momma-san walleye! Darrin "stuck" a 29 inch walleye "Hog"...while casting a 3/4 oz. Mayfly Rig.
September is "Prime time" fishing for Lake Erie walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch in the remote and pristene waters surrounding Pelee Island. Give Erie Quest Charters a call to experience your Lake Erie adventure with one of the most experienced guide's on the "Big Pond."
Capt. Rick Millette
