Of all the Great Lakes, Lake Erie is the southernmost, warmest, and most productive. As far as quantity, it has the largest fish harvests of the lakes and also the most species. Diverse habitats ranging from major tributaries to shallow rocky reefs, shoals, rocky island shorelines, and deep-water flats account for the abundance and diversity of Lake Erie's sport fishing. The lake's Western Basin is one of the most productive natural spawning and nursery areas on the Great Lakes.
Whether fishing for that trophy catch, your evening meal, or practicing catch and release, Lake Erie and the Western Basin offers a wide variety of angling fun for everyone from the novice to the expert angler. Trophy-size walleye await anglers who visit the "Walleye Capital of the World." Walleye, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass are the most popular sport fishes, while a mixed bag of catfish, white bass, white perch, crappie, rock bass, and sunfish all add variety to your catch and additional hours of fishing enjoyment.
The Ohio waters of Lake Erie expand across 2.25 million acres of water surface and stretch 262 miles across Ohio's northern shore. Shoreline communities provide a variety of services and attractions including lodging, restaurants, charter boat services, fishing access, marinas, bait stores, and family recreation. Most marinas can provide information about charter fishing trips. Anglers trailering boats will find launch ramps and dockage at many convenient locations along the shoreline. Shore anglers can wet a line at a number of major fishing access facilities, docks, piers, and other shoreline hot spots.