The Last Fishermen Pics From 2009 Season

Just wanted to share some pics of my old timer buddies from the piers. Spent a lot of time with them and had many great memories. This photo gallery is dedicated to the true Last Fishermen of Lake Erie.

Lake Erie Pier Fishing Comes To A Close

After a discouraging week, calling it quits for perch fishing off the piers. Water temp getting too high. Fished three early mornings this week (up before 5:00am) for a total of 4 perch. Gobies are abundant with occasional sheepshead and rock bass. Time to turn my attention to other fishing opportunities. As far as a season recap goes, it was poor. Hit the piers harder than most years with fewer fish. Old timers agree this was the worst spring in a long time. We never had any good numbers of large fish. The lakers were spread very thin this year, and were in a short time. Small perch were plentiful early this year, but the jumbos were very elusive. I had no limits, no good days where the bite was on. Numbers were way down, and the overall size was also down. Had many good memories and great conversations with the old timers though. Saw a lot of rising suns and battled some very frigid weather. Thats why they call it fishing, not catching.

East Wind Shuts Down Lake Erie Perch

Out early once again. Landed one perch in first minutes of light. No bite after that. Steady East wind really shuts down the bite. No gobies, rock bass, or anything. Lots of guys trying. According to the locals, each day is different. There are some remaining perch in the channel, but with the inconsistent weather patterns and the prevailing east winds, timing is crucial. For good fishing, we need some consistent weather. Upcoming forecast looks cool, which should hold the perch for another week. Just need some steady nice days with a lot less wind. And of course, some luck.

A Few Perch Remain Off Pier

Up early before work. Went to the end of the pier to chase the perch. Caught two at first light. Soon after the current shifted hard and the bite stopped. Amazing how the current can really shut down the perch. Saw a few smallmouth and rock bass caught. A sure sign the water is slowly warming. Temp still holding at 53, so there are a few perch remaining. Noticed a couple of guys keeping illegal smallmouth. Remember, they must be 20inches during trophy bass season. They were foreigners. They kept everything they caught. Just for your info, I will share the cell phone number of the local WCO Brook Tolbert. 814-573-5194. If you see slob fishermen, please be sure and report. It is those unethical fishermen that give us true anglers a bad rap. I am guessing perch will remain scattered for another week or so. will keep you posted.

Erie Storm Shuts Down The Perch

Was out early today on the pier. One of the first guys out. After just a couple of minutes fishing, storm with wind and rain came through. Managed to catch 3 perch as the storm arrived. I fished through the rain and about an hour following with no bite. A very wet and miserable morning. Will continue to chase the remaining schools of perch in the channel.

Small Perch Abundant Off South Pier Erie PA

Wow, what a differnce a day makes. Yesterday, no perch but lots of gobies. Today non stop perch action in the channel. One problem, a very small size school. Just two keepers in the first two hours of fishing with well over 20 perch caught. No size today, but the little perch were turned on. Will chase the perch this week. May be the last week of the season for perch from shore.

Slow Morning Off The South Pier

Went down to the South Pier this morning, 2ND guy there. Went for a long walk to the end of the channel. By 6:00 am well over 75 guys lined up. No perch bite at all. Caught over 20 round gobies. Saw a Sheapshead and a couple of Rock Bass caught beside me. Did not see a single perch landed. Water temp is rising, currently at 49. Still should have about one more good week of fishing, but today was very poor. Will continue to head out this upcoming week to see if there are any remaining jumbo perch in the channel.