Fishing in Erie

Generations of anglers have been drawn to Erie County, Pennsylvania for world-class fishing opportunities in every season. Widely known as “Steelhead Alley,” Erie is famous for its exceptional fall and winter steelhead runs, ranks among the nation’s top destinations for bass fishing in the summer, and offers some of the region’s most productive ice fishing in Presque Isle Bay each winter.

Fishing Charters

Walk along State Street to Dobbins Landing in Erie  and you’ll see them: rows of fishing charters ready for your next adventure. Local charter captains bring deep knowledge of the lake and its changing conditions, and are poised to target species like walleye, perch, steelhead or lake trout. Charters typically run mid-May through early October, and a Pennsylvania fishing license with Lake Erie stamp is required.

Steelhead fishing

When the weather cools and the leaves turn, steelhead season begins in Lake Erie’s tributaries. Nearly one million juvenile steelhead are stocked annually in Erie (more than anywhere else in the state), creating one of the best steelhead runs in the United States. The steelhead run typically peaks once in the fall and again in the spring, when the water temperatures shift, and the streams rise high enough for the migration. Click to view a fishing access map from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Pennsylvania Fishing License Information

A valid Pennsylvania fishing license with a Lake Erie stamp is required of persons age 16 and over to fish in Lake Erie or any of its tributaries. The license must be displayed and provided upon the request of an officer. Learn more about getting a Pennsylvania fishing license here.

Erie Fishing Report

FishUSA provides regular fishing reports, detailing water conditions and angler reports for Erie, Pennsylvania, as well as angler maps, weather and wave conditions, and stream fishing information. Click here to view the Lake Erie report. 

Popular Fishing Locations

• Lake Erie: The warmest, and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, is consistently ranked among the top bass fishing destinations in the United States, and has played host to major national fishing tournaments, including Bassmaster and Major League Fishing. Lake Erie also offers excellent fishing opportunities for walleye and perch. 
• Presque Isle Bay is one of the largest natural bays on the Great Lakes, with diverse habitats making it productive for multiple species and offering easy shore and boat access for anglers of all skill levels. Shoreline access is plentiful throughout Presque Isle State Park and on the city side, featuring boat launches, public piers, and docks.
  
• Eaton Reservoir This quiet reservoir east of Erie is a man-made dam on a tributary to the West Branch of French Creek created to supply water to North East, PA. It is a great choice for large-mouth bass and pike. Gas-powered boats are not permitted, making it a favorite for those seeking a slower pace.
  
• Lake Pleasant Lake Pleasant is stocked with trout and also home to panfish and bass in the shallows. Access is limited, and only non-motorized boats are permitted. The accessible kayak and canoe launch on the western shoreline requires transporting your boat down a 700-foot gravel path, so if you’re on your own, a dolly can make the trip easier.
  
• Lake LeBoeuf: Ringed with wetlands, Lake LeBoeuf offers limited shoreline fishing but lots of opportunity for boat anglers pursuing bass, musky, and crappies. The lake has no horsepower restriction but is designated “No Wake.”
  
• Edinboro Lake  This glacial lake offers a public beach, boat launches, a fishing pier, and a diverse fish population. It’s part of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Brood Stock Lake program for musky production, and the trout stream below the dam is reserved for youth 12 and under and anglers with disabilities.
  

• Walnut Creek: The Walnut Creek Access Area offers some of the best fishing access on Erie’s west side, and is a favorite for steelhead fishing, especially during the fall and winter when anglers gather to watch the fish swim upstream. With multiple launch ramps, ample parking, restrooms, boat slips, and a fish-cleaning station, the marina is one of the region’s most accessible fishing hubs.

• French Creek One of the most biologically diverse waterways in the eastern U.S., French Creek is a paddler’s favorite and offers excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskellunge.
  

• Lake Erie Tributaries: Stream fishing peaks during the fall and spring steelhead runs, but opportunities exist year-round. Anglers can explore Elk Creek, Crooked Creek, and smaller eastern creeks like Twelve Mile, Sixteen Mile, and Twenty Mile. Read more here.