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Fish We Fish
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The Yellow Perch lives in all five Great Lakes and it's tributaries. Because the yellow perch is a glacial lakes species, it is widely distributed except in the unglaciated region of southwestern Wisconsin. |
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Spawning normally occurs shortly after ice-out in April or early May at water temperatures of 45-52ºF. Yellow perch spawning closely follows that of walleyes and often coincides with that of suckers. Yellow perch are random spawners, and do not construct nests, nor do they guard their eggs and their young. |
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Yellow perch are primarily bottom feeders with a slow deliberate bite. They eat almost anything, but prefer minnows, insect larvae, plankton, and worms. Tackle may range from a simple handline or a fly rod in summer to a short, whippy, jigging rod in winter. Because perch prefer cooler water, the best fishing is usually in deep water.
Perch move about in schools, often numbering in the hundreds. If one spot is unproductive after a few tries, it is best to move to other spots until a school is located. |
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The Walleye is the largest member of the perch family and is one of the most highly prized game fish in Lake Erie. It is found in clear-water northern lakes as well as large rivers like the Mississippi, |
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Walleyes eat mostly minnows, but leeches, small bullheads, nightcrawlers and various small plugs, cast or trolled, are favorite baits. Their large, unusual eyes are designed to help them easily find their prey. They can grow to lengths over 37 inches and weigh up to 25 pounds. |
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The walleye is a schooling fish like the perch and can be found along the shorelines and in shallow bays looking for small fish to eat, especially at dusk. Dawn, dusk, and dark are the best times for this light sensitive fish. |
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You can also choose to jig for walleyes with monofilament line on a jigging rod. You can bait it with wax worms, small minnows or cut smelt. The "proof" is in the jigging to lure and not scare away the fish. With a lure, you must set the hook with the first strike since it is not "real" food. This method may also allow
you to catch several walleye when they're biting since you don't have to rebait the hook each time. |
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The Smallmouth Bass makes it's habitat in all five of the Great Lakes and it's tributaries. It is quite probable that the fish was distributed over the lake approximately as it is at present before any introductions were made. The smallmouth bass is common in medium to large streams and
in large, clearwater lakes. |
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Pound for pound the smallmouth bass is the scrappiest fish of all. t is usually associated with a rocky stream or lake environment where its favorite food, the crayfish, is abundant. Some of the best lake fishing takes place in June during, and just after, the spawning season, and in early fall. Natural baits like hellgrammites,
dragonfly larvae and crayfish are especially effective during early morning or late evening. Probably the best artificial baits are those used on the surface. Light tackle is ideal. Fish quietly, casting toward rocks or logs, keeping the rod tip up and the line taut. |
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Steelhead and Rainbow Trout are really the same species of fish. Steelhead is the name given to the silver or steel-blue headed ocean-going form of the species. It is native to the Pacific coast of North America from northern
Mexico north to the Bering Sea and inland to the Rocky Mountains. Rainbow trout are the inland form and have been "stocked" or released around the world. They now thrive in the waters of many states in the United States. |
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ainbow trout range
in weight from 2 to 16 pounds and in length from 16-30
inches. They like water that is between 53-57 degrees
Fahrenheit (12-14 degrees Celsius). Steelheads in Lake Erie
eat small fish, insects, and crayfish. The major predators
of adult fish are sea lamprey and humans. The juveniles have
to look out for larger carnivorous (eats meat) fish and
merganser ducks looking for a meal. |
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Steelhead and rainbow trout are really the same species of fish. Steelhead is the name given to the silver or steel-blue headed ocean-going form of the species. It is native to the Pacific coast of North America from northern Mexico north to the Bering Sea and inland to the Rocky Mountains. Rainbow trout are the
inland form and have been "stocked" or released around the world. They now thrive in the waters of many states in the United States, including Lake Erie.
How to Identify Inland: There are many small spots on body and 10 -12 anal rays. Look for a square tail with spots over the entire tail in radiating rows. The mouth and gums are white.
Great Lakes: You'll find spots all over the tail, but the rest of body is silver. The white mouth identifies steelhead from salmon.
Rainbow trout range in weight from 2 to 16 pounds and in length from 16-30 inches. They like water that is between 53-57 degrees Fahrenheit (12-14 degrees Celsius).
Steelheads in Lake Erie eat small fish, insects, and crayfish. The major predators of adult fish are sea lamprey and humans. The juveniles have to look out for larger carnivorous (eats meat) fish and merganser ducks looking for a meal.
Fishing for Rainbows
The most popular bait for stream fishing is a "spawn bag," which is fish eggs tied in a small ball using fine mesh. Other baits include spoons, spinners, flatfish, and flies fished close to the bottom. Fly fishing is a fun way to catch these fish.
Pier and shore fishing on Lake Erie are also
good. Bait including spawn, night crawlers, spoons, and flies often work well here. During mid-summer, many steelhead are caught while trolling.
In the colder months, fishing is great in the cool water discharges of power plants. Spawn, spoons, spinners, jigs, and minnows work well here. |
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Captains Dave & Mary Anne Kastl |
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1327 Narragansett Blvd |
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Lorain, Ohio 44053 |
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Home: 440-282-7023 |
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Captain Dave's cell:
216.346.1417 |
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Captain Mary Anne's cell:
440.724.9511 |
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DKASTL@roadrunner.com |
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