Early Season Launching

Hello All,

Was reading last year's early posts and saw that some were able to get out early on nice days before the wooden docks were put in at the State Parks. Was wondering where good places to launch might be this time of year. I cannot remember how much concrete there is at Catawba and Mazurik's. I need to be able to tie up to park the truck and need a little extra time to warm up the I/O. I'm mobile so anywhere from Huron to PC would work for me. Thanks in advance. Am pumped up to get back out there.

The first open water launching usually occurs at Huron ramp.The river melts/ removes the ice earlier than Catawba or Mazurkas.Think Huron has a concrete pier to tie off of.Have not read of anybody venturing out yet but may be soon.

The first open launch may not be the safest one to use. Need to do your homework this time of year as in wind direction and ice potential movement. As long as there is ice still floating around the potential of not getting back to the launch is there. Have to eliminate that possibility. You don't want to be that guy the internet judges enjoy going after. Check the satellite and fishermen and know what's out there.

Sorry guys, to clarify....

I didn't mean now. I was thinking end of February or early March when all ice is definitely gone and hopefully not much debris.

I saw that a couple of the captains were fishing that timeframe last year. The earliest I went previously was the end of March after the docks were in. Thanks again for your thoughts.

Huron leaves one dock in all year. It can get a little blocked up with debris after thaw or heavy rain events. I don't believe the concrete bases at Catawba extend into the water very far, but if you can get into the boat from the trailer, you can at least launch and then go tie up over on the wall, then go park.

Great info, thank you. I just looked it up and last year my first trip was in the first week in April. Everything from Kelley's west was chocolate milk water. We had to run all the way to Huron to find clearer water. Maybe middle to end of March would be a reasonable expectation to go out. I would think there should be some fish around Huron at that time? I could always run a bit west if needed towards Kelly's.

We started fishing out of Mazurek's Mid to late March last year. Finding clean water was a challenge. But when we found clearish water the eyes were stacked.

BTW Mazureks has two concrete courtesy docks always available.

Thank you Sir! Always appreciate your input and info.

Already mentioned were the courtesy docks at Mazurik's, but I just wanted to add that at Catawba, you can tie up to the main pier, while you go take your trailer to the lot.

Dempsey's also has a permanent courtesy dock.

Anyone know if Catawba or Mazuriks is clear of ice yet? I'm assuming Huron is ok but would like to launch further west. Thanks!

Think Huron ok but Catawba and Mazurkas not ready yet

One of the seminar presenters at the Columbus Fishing Expo fished Erie a few days ago. Got a limit trolling out off I think Huron, but it may have been Lorain. I can't remember for sure. Guy fishes over 300 days a year, a lot of it on Erie, most of the rest up in Michigan.

Looking at the live lake webcams it appears pretty much all the ice is gone and/or will be very soon! Water temp at Put-in-Bay is currently over 35 degrees. So from the feedback here is Huron the best bet for late February through March to have a significant dock to tie up to while unloading and loading? I've never tried Wild Wings or any other locations besides Mazurik's and Catawba. I don't think I can pull it off there without the wooden docks being in. Hope we can all get out safely pretty soon!

I was out Saturday, the 10th, and Mazurik was basically totally clear of ice other than a little on the west side of the west concrete pier. Had no problem launching by myself and tying up to the concrete pier. Water temp is about 2 or 3 degrees warmer at Mazurik than it was around Green island. I did not run over to Catawba to check the access there, so can't say. Spent most of the day fishing around the islands and having decent success getting eater size eyes. I'm not sure what year class the ones are that are around 20-22 inches, but I caught a bunch of them in that size range. Trolling speed was about 1.3 and didn't seem to be a definite pattern as far as the depth goes. Caught most on DDHJ14 in Headspin and DDHJ12 Chrome Huff Daddy. Also caught several on SPRO 120 Chrome Huff Daddy. P10's did not seem to be working. Water clarity was decent from stained to clear, but nothing was too stained where I was fishing.

Thanks Lynn for the first fishing post of the new season.My guess is those 20-22" fish were from the 2019 hatch.Should be another great season catching with the string of great hatches of walleye.

Attachment 8716 turtle creek yesterday ramps were clear

If anyone wants to see photos of the various launch ramps, you can go to the link below. Photos are 5-6 years old. I plan to update them this spring.

Lake Erie Boat Launch Ramps

Nice work Lynn and thank you for sharing. Appreciate the info from everyone. 🎣

I fished out of Catawba on Sunday. Found some stained water that was loaded with fish and had a frenzy getting our 18 in a few hours. Bandits, P10s and the star of the day was Reef Runner Skinny Stick in Wonderbread at 50 back.