As an avid fisherman and outdoor enthusiast I’m always interested in learning about the various fish species found in the lakes rivers and streams near me. One body of water that I’ve been curious about lately is Lake Erie, the fourth largest of the five Great Lakes located along the Canada-United States border. Specifically, I wanted to find out if salmon inhabit the waters of Lake Erie and if so, what types can be found there. In this article, I’ll provide a comprehensive overview answering the question – is there salmon in Lake Erie?
A Brief History of Salmon in Lake Erie
To begin, it helps to understand a little history about how salmon came to populate Lake Erie in the first place While not native to the lake, several species of salmon were intentionally introduced through stocking programs starting in the late 1800s The goal was to establish new recreational fisheries that could boost tourism and revenue for the surrounding regions.
The first recorded salmon stocking took place in 1873 when the Ohio Fish Commission released roughly 172,000 Chinook salmon fry. Over the next several decades, further introductions of Chinook coho pink and Atlantic salmon were made by agencies in the U.S. and Canada. Populations of these non-native salmon flourished for a time but later declined due to various environmental factors. Today, salmon numbers remain relatively low but some key species continue to inhabit Lake Erie.
Major Salmon Species Currently Found in Lake Erie
So exactly which types of salmon can anglers hope to catch in Lake Erie nowadays? Here’s a quick rundown of the main salmon species found in the lake:
Chinook Salmon
Also known as king salmon, Chinook are the largest salmon species residing in Lake Erie. They can reach upwards of 40 pounds although most range between 10-25 pounds. Chinook salmon primarily live in deep, cold waters and are popular with anglers for their size and fighting spirit.
Coho Salmon
Smaller than Chinook but more acrobatic, coho salmon provide a feisty battle for anglers. They average 6-12 pounds and favor cooler waters too. Coho salmon are mostly caught during summer and fall.
Atlantic Salmon
Introduced fairly recently, Atlantic salmon are another cold water species reaching sizes similar to coho. They are prized by anglers for their delicious meat and strong fights when hooked. However, Atlantic salmon are less abundant than Chinook and coho.
Pink Salmon
Occurring infrequently, pink salmon is the rarest salmon species found in Lake Erie currently. They primarily enter the lake from Lake Ontario and spawn near tributaries along the northern shore. Most pink salmon caught are under 5 pounds.
Prime Salmon Fishing Locations in Lake Erie
When it comes to the best places to catch salmon in Lake Erie, focus your efforts in these key areas:
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The Eastern Basin – Deeper, colder waters here are ideal habitat for salmon, especially around the deepest sections near Long Point, Ontario.
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Near Major Tributaries – Salmon will migrate up tributary rivers and streams to spawn in late summer and fall. Target areas near larger tributaries like Cattaraugus Creek, Chautauqua Creek and the Niagara River.
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Offshore from Major Cities – Troll offshore from major ports like Erie, Buffalo and Cleveland where salmon follow baitfish schools. Look for downrigger depths from 40-100 feet.
Top Salmon Fishing Techniques for Lake Erie
To maximize your chances hooking into Lake Erie salmon, use these productive fishing methods:
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Trolling – Using downriggers, wire line and specific salmon spoons/plugs at varied depths. This technique covers water to find scattered salmon offshore.
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Casting – Casting large spoons, spinners and jerkbaits near tributary mouths where salmon stage in fall.
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Drift Fishing – Drifting live bait like alewife or rainbow trout, or salmon egg skein bags/spoons near bottom structure where salmon hold.
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Fly Fishing – Once salmon enter tributaries and are actively spawning in late fall, fly fishing egg patterns and streamers can be very effective.
Best Times of Year for Salmon Fishing
While salmon can be caught in Lake Erie from spring through fall, the peak months are:
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April – June – Spring trolling offshore targets post-spawn Chinook and coho salmon that are feeding heavily to regain body mass.
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Late August – October – During the fall salmon run, fish are migrating toward tributary streams to spawn. Casting, drifting and fly fishing all excel during this period.
Regulations and Conservation Efforts
With salmon populations below historic levels, careful management is imperative. Be sure to follow all fishing regulations for each Lake Erie jurisdiction. Most limit anglers to 1-2 salmon per day with strict minimum sizes. Releasing females during the fall spawning run helps ensure sustainable salmon fisheries. Ongoing stocking programs also aim to boost salmon numbers.
In the end, the answer to “is there salmon in Lake Erie?” is a definitive yes. Thanks to purposeful introductions over a century ago, several Pacific and Atlantic salmon species now inhabit this incredible Great Lake, providing anglers with amazing fishing opportunities. From late summer through fall, targeting salmon here is an extraordinary experience every freshwater fisherman should try. With proper management and conservation, Lake Erie salmon will continue thriving for generations to come.
Lake Rods, Reels, and Line
Most anglers use similar rods and reels on the lake for trolling or drift fishing for all the larger species. (Perch fishing uses much smaller rods and reels and lighter line). The common rod is a relatively long (about 8 feet) trolling rod in the 10 to 20 pound line class. If you plan to use a diver, especially a dipsey diver, use a diver rod with a strong lower section that can withstand the strong pull of the diver. Many regular rods will break just above the handle if used with a diver.
By far the most common reel for trolling is the level wind reel. The Penn 310 and 320 are still popular. Reels with line counters are becoming popular. These reels allow you to more accurately set lines on divers and planer boards.
Line used for trolling varies. The most common lines used are from 12 pound to 17 pound test. Light lining is becoming more popular, but is still not widespread. Twenty pound line is not uncommon, especially for use with divers.
Offshore Fishing Boats and Gear
Boating on Lake Erie is not like boating on any other body of water in Pennsylvania. The lake is vast and can be deadly. If you do not have an appropriate boat, you will be risking your life boating on the lake. Deep V-hull boats are the norm on the lake. The deep hull gives the boat stability and the ability to take the waves. Tri-hulls have too much bottom surface, cannot take the waves well, and its occupants will get pounded by the waves. Pontoon boats and typical shallow “bass boats” are not appropriate any distance from shore. Any boat under 16 feet in length is also risky to take far from shore.
If you plan to fish in the deep waters, at least a 50 horsepower motor is recommended. Many boats which troll on the lake have two motors; a large motor for getting to and from the fishing waters, and a small, 5 or 10 horsepower long shaft pull start outboard motor for trolling. This combination has at least two advantages. First, it saves wear on the main motor, which can foul after extended trolling at slow speeds. Second, it provides a safety net – if the main motor dies (or the batteries die and will not start the main motor), the trolling motor can bring you back (albeit slowly). Many who do not have a separate trolling motor use a trolling plate on the main motor to maintain a slow trolling speed. Many lake boats also have two batteries. Two batteries give you added protection that you can get your big motor started to get you home. Cranking the key and hearing the motor slowly turn then stop due to a dead battery is a very unpleasant experience when you are miles from shore.
There are three common pieces of equipment used on lake boats that are highly recommended: a marine radio, a fish/depth finder, and a navigational aid consisting of either a loran or a GPS unit. The marine radio is an important safety item to call for help if you or other boaters might need it. The coast guard, with a station located just inside the channel to Presque Isle Bay, monitors channel 16. A radio can also be used to call for a marine towing service if you need one. Anglers use channels 68 and 69 heavily for routine communications while fishing.
A fish finder, although not necessary for safety, is very helpful for locating fish and structure in what can seem like an endless expanse on the lake.
A navigational aid is a very important safety aid, as well as an asset to successful fishing. Until recently, most boats on the lake were equipped with a loran, which is a land based radio wave positioning system. It is relatively accurate and can return you to port or your fishing hot spot with ease. Lorans use their own numbering system rather than longitude and latitude coordinates. Anglers using lorans often describe their position as “28880.1 on the top, 58357.7 on the bottom,” referring to the top and bottom loran coordinates of their location. Lorans are being replaced by the GPS, and the loran transmitters will be turned off sooner or later, rendering the loran useless. The GPS, or global positioning system, is an even more accurate, satellite based positioning system. It displays location using longitude and latitude coordinates. Like the loran, the GPS can store numerous “way points”, such as home port and fishing hot spots. You can then call up a way point, and the GPS will tell you which direction to go to get there. It also provides much more information, such as how fast you are going, how long it will take you to get to your destination, how far off course you have gone, etc.
Finding your way on the lake can be difficult. If you motor out to deep water with only a compass, then troll about for several hours, using only a compass to return to port will be difficult and very inaccurate. If the waves suddenly pick up and you have to return quickly and directly, or if a fog bank rolls in and you cannot see more than 20 feet from your bow, a loran or a GPS will be worth every cent you paid to get you home safely.
Many boats equipped for fishing on Lake Erie also have a planer board mast (to run planer boards), two or more downriggers (manual or electric), multiple stand-up rod holders, a sizable cooler with ice, and a large, long handled net. Other items to consider taking on your boat include a map of the lake, a first aid kit, binoculars, sun glasses and sun screen (there is no shade on the lake), rain gear, an extra jacket, a good anchor with plenty of line, sea sickness medicine, hook extractors and a fish “club.”
Remember that all boats on Lake Erie 16 feet in length and over must carry visual distress signals. All boats require visual distress signals if on the water between sunset and sunrise. Before leaving for a trip on the lake, review the boating regulations and your gear to be certain you have all the necessary equipment and leave a float plan.
Lake Erie Lake Trout and Salmon. June 2023
FAQ
Are there still salmon in Lake Erie?
Coho salmon and brown trout are stocked but in far smaller numbers. Occasionally Chinook salmon are caught in the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie, but they are not common and their origin is often debated. A trout stamp is needed to take these fish.
Are there salmon in New York?
… than the coho, with approximately 1.7 million Chinook salmon and 250,000 coho salmon stocked annually in Lake Ontario and its tributaries by New York State
What kind of fish does Lake Erie have?
Lake Erie is home to a variety of fish species, including walleye, yellow perch, steelhead, smallmouth bass, and white bass.