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.

Perch Action Slow With East wind

Went to the pier early this morning. About 15 guys lined up close to the lot. decided to head out further. Got 3 perch early. Slow bite with east winds. Guys said they did well last two days, but perch shut down this morning. Will continue to chase the perch and hopefully have a good day.

Jumbo Perch Moving Into Erie

Went out early today looking for jumbo perch. Caught two nice slabs at first light then the bite stopped. Lots of guys out today. Everyone caught fish early then they shut off. Most guys caught a couple, some had four or five. Looks like the lakers are starting to stage off the piers. This is a good sign. Not many fish to report, but all were a large size and no dinks. Will hit it hard this week to see if more numbers will arrive.

Largemouth Bass Hitting Hard In Presque Isle Lagoons

This morning Erie was hit by strong North East winds. Made fishing the piers very difficult with high waves and frigid temps. Caught one jumbo perch early today. Decided to try for those tasty crappie in Presque Isle Bay. Fished the Lagoons for a couple of hours. No crappie to be found but ran into some serious Largemouth Bass by accident. Caught about a dozen bass, ranging from 12 to 18 inches averaging about 15. Bass were highly aggressive, hitting everything I was throwing for crappie. I simply used a bobber with jigs or minnows and casted near shore. Bass were beautiful, nice colors and very healthy looking. Lots of jumping and thrashing to make a fun evening. No one else around, had the spot to myself. A lesson learned. When the perch or crappie are not cooperating in early spring, try for some Largemouth Bass. Very fun on ultralight tackle. Search for warm, shallow water with lots of structure. A nice alternative to spring panfishing.