River Fishing

[Tom Hubbard]

Making our first trip to Erie on Wednesday from northern WI, and staying for six nights in Port Clinton. It looks like I picked a horrendous week to fish based on the upcoming forecast. Unfortunately these are my only vacation days, so hoping to make the most of it. With that said, are any of the rivers (Black, Vermillion, Huron or Portage) worth walleye fishing this time of year when the lake is too rough?
Just looking for backup options when we can't get out.
Thanks

[Sodbuster]

Dont know where you plan to stay, but the detroit river is on fire. Fast limits and easy fishing, but there's a learning curve. Watch some videos and get some 1 ounce jigs, plastics and stingers.

[Goosechaser]

No experience on any of the rivers. Check out East harbor. You can chase pan fish if you like. Forecasts can change and they can be wrong. Just always be ready. Sometimes the lake will laydown and you can get out for a few hours. Sometimes that's all it takes.

[island troller]

None of the rivers you mentioned would be worth trying for walleyes. But definetly the Detrout River would be.

[Tom Hubbard]

Thanks for replies...Much appreciated.
Fingers crossed we can get out at least two of the five days we have to fish.

[rickerd]

I would bet you can get out a few of those days. Just so you know, WB has plenty of hungry fish now. IN the past, I have even been known to tuck on west side of catawba with 20mph gusts, and catch walleye drifting this time of year.

If no lightning in area, use catawba to stay out of winds and waves.

Or you can launch in Sandusky bay and find some there.

Rickerd

[West Basin]

There is real good river fishing on the Maumee, Sandusky, and the Portage Rivers. You're late for the major walleye run, but there are still significant numbers in the Maumee and Sandusky. For the Maumee, launch at Perrysburg (Orleans park or Maple Street access) and fish the downriver side of the Maumee - Perrysburg bridge. It is shallow in places, so keep an eye on the depth. Check out Maumee Tackle for fishing report and advice - Latest River Report . There is also a lot of fun White Bass run fishing in the same area. The Sandusky River is the same at and up from Fremont, but that's almost all shore and wading fishing, depending on the size of your boat. The Portage River has good White Bass run fishing up towards Elmore, but again that's shore and wading fishing.

For the Lake, yes, even on windy days you can fish anywhere in the South Passage (between Catawba Point / South Bass Island and Kelleys Island / Marblehead) if you can find lee and also just west of Catawba Point. Also out in front of Sandusky Bay. You also have the option of trailering over to South Bass Island (Miller Ferry) and launching either on the north side (downtown) or at the State Park (west side), depending on the wind direction. Also Kellys Island (south side or north side launches). There is also the option during a big west wind of launching over in the western part of Maumee Bay, in the Maumee River in Toledo (a few ramps) or just north of there around Point Place, and fishing the nearshore areas.

You have viable options depending on the wind direction. Or with a smaller boat you can fish West and East Harbors for bass and crappie as well as some yellow perch and northern pike, if you can't get out on the Lake.

[Tom Hubbard]

Thanks for the advice guys!