6/16/26 Lake Erie Fishing Report

June 16, 2026

Wow! All I can say is WOW! Lake Erie fishing has been on fire this past week. We moved the Sir Walleye Charters boat to Lorain, Ohio, at Oasis Marina. We don’t normally make this move until July 1st each year; however, due to circumstances beyond our control, we moved early this year. The main reason I moved the boat to Lorain early is as follows, in order: 

  1. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is closing Danger Zone 1 and 2 Monday, 6-15-26 through Thursday, 6-18-26 in front of the Camp Perry USCG base in Port Clinton, Ohio. In Danger Zone 1 and 2 at the Camp Perry USCG base in Port Clinton, Ohio, this encompasses the whole Western Basin and can line roughly an 8-mile square right out of the heart of the Wild Wings Marina fishing grounds. 
  2. Mayflies, mayflies, and more mayflies are in full swing of the hatch, and the walleye are eating them like candy. When the mayflies are in full swing in the Lake Erie Western Basin, long, long, long boat rides out to the middle of the lake are normal. Let’s face it, boat rides are fun; however, they cut into the clients’ fishing time when we have to run an hour to an hour and a half one way. 
  3. Walleye migration in Lake Erie, as the water warms and the fishing charters season progresses, is east. Lake Erie walleye migrate to the Lorain area for deeper, cooler waters and less algae. Not to get into the whole blue-green algae debate, the Central Basin of Lake Erie has much less. 


Family Lake Erie Charter group with a cooler full of walleye caught with Sir Walleye Charters.
Women holds a 29 inch Lake Erie walleye Fish Ohio caught on the Sir Walleye Charters boat in Lorain, Ohio.
Group of friends with a cooler full of Lake Erie Walleye caught with Sir Walleye Charters.

Now for the fishing report for Lorain, Ohio, Lake Erie Central Basin. The weather has been what I would call fairly stable. Seas of 3 to 4 feet have been the biggest we have seen. The Central Basin has a much different wave action. Waves are farther apart and less sharp in deeper waters, allowing us to fish in larger seas much more confidently and comfortably. Weather has been stable, with the exception of the storm that blew through, quickly bringing 50-mph wind gusts. Thank goodness that everyone made it back safely. 

Back to the fishing report! Sliver Streak spoons, both Jr and Mini sizes, with Mustad Alpha Point ITG76 hooks, are taking the bites. Fishing 47 to 52 feet of water, targeting the walleyes below 30 feet has been the key to success. Top-producing colors once again: Nascar, CatDog, Pink Panties, and Purple Demon are smoking hot. Speed has been 2.7-3.0 at the Fish Hawk probe with 30 feet of downrigger cable out. Water temperature is 68 degrees at depth. You can go for miles and miles and more miles and still keep cating walleye in Lorain absolutely insane bite and fish numbers that are there. I have been going until I reach half the limit, then turning back around at Lorain to finish the other half, ending up about 3.4 miles to the Black River. On days when there is wind, go about 7 miles upwind and put the waves on the stern and catch the whole way back home! Lake Erie fishing just doesn’t get any better than this, folks. I have seen 2 Fish Ohios come to the net in just the handful of charters run thus far! One is 28 inches on the button, and the other is 29 inches! 


Mustad Pro Tips:

  1. Never be afraid to fish New waters; just because you caught them in a location last year at this time does not mean this year will be the same. 
  2. Speed up when trolling as the water warms up. Some would say I run too fast or too hot! Speed catches fish hands down. If they are not biting in the words for my dad, Randi: “Give it some gas!”
  3. Do not always listen to the VHF marine radio for information on how deep to fish or “leads” fish your marks that you have the most confidence in catching! 




Until Next Time, 

Gotta Go, Fish ON 🎣 Get The Net‼️,

Captain Kris

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