5/12/26 Lake Erie Fishing Report

May 12, 2026

Lake Erie Fishing Report


5/12/26


Favoring wind directions and speeds have really helped us on Lake Erie in the past week. Winds have been from the west, south, and light out of the north. What this means is the water has cleaned up in the fishing grounds right out in front of Wild Wings Marina. However rainfall has continued to have the local rivers pumping muddy water into the lake. The key to success has been finding that good Lake Erie stained water that is holding the bait fish and trolling the transitions. Skies have been mostly sunny to partly cloudy in between rain showers. Seas have been a max of four feet with mostly under 2 ft.

Upgrading with Mustad Hooks for better hooksets

Trolling has still dominated for me lately on the Sir Walleye Charters boat. I have been still trolling Tommy Harris crank baits with Mustad Alpha Point treble Hooks. I have up sized my trebles to a size #2 with a short shank hook.  The Triple Grip technology, Titan Steel, and Chemically sharpened hooks have really made a difference in hook up rates and landing fish at the back of the boat. You can visit the Mustad Website at this link to check them out! 


I have been fishing anywhere from 15 to 21 feet of water targeting the fish laying right on the bottom in and around the reef complex.. Leaving the dock at 5:30 AM and setting up in the dark. WOW have the walleye been on the chew in the dark and as the sun rises. As the Lake Erie spawn is coming to a rapid end the walleye love to lay tight to the bottom and feed in low light conditions. Fast limits have been occurring lately, almost too fast. I love to get clients to their limits, however when the walleye are jumping in the boat it is very hard to slow things down to give time on the water. I have only been running half or less of the normal trolling spread due to the fact that as soon as I set a line it has a fish on it in seconds.

I would say the overall grade of walleyes have been amazing with a 3 to 4 pound average per fish. I have only caught one short walleye in the past week. I did put some jets and spoons out one day to try them, I feel the big stick crank baits out performed them. It's just not quite time yet! Casting and bottom bouncing is also producing good catch rates on the clean water situations. Most are using 2 oz bottom bouncers 2 cranks off the bottom when there is wind to drift through the active fish. Casting a ¾ to 1 oz weapon with a Colorado blade and a slow, slow retrieve back to the boat working that Lake Erie Swing has also been producing fish. 


Mustad Pro Tips: 

  1. Upgrade your factory stock hooks to a brand you trust! It will always pay off in the end.
  2. When looking for fish on your graph, always study the bottom. Never count out those fish directly on the bottom. 
  3. Low light conditions are always best for the bite. If you are going out in the dark, always beware of floating obstacles in Lake Erie or any body of water. WE HAVE TONS OF JUNK FLOATING RIGHT NOW.     TREES, LOGS, ETC…..


Until Next Time, 

Gotta Go, Fish ON 🎣 Get The Net‼️,

Captain Kris

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