Postcard from Lake Erie (western basin): 55°F water and a quiet November

Fall on the water means cool mornings, fewer boats and fish feeding up before winter. It runs around 60 ft at its deepest. Anglers come to Lake Erie (western basin) for walleye, perch and smallmouth bass. Knowing which fish are comfortable at that day's temperature narrows a big lake down to a few good spots.

Lake Erie at the Tip of Point Pelee. Photo: Jason Zhang, CC BY-SA 4.0

East Harbor Lake Erie View. Photo: Analogue Kid, CC BY-SA 3.0

Lake Erie from Headlands Park. Photo: Michael A. Orlando, CC BY-SA 3.0

On the water now

The surface reads 55°F (on November 6). On Lake Erie (western basin), walleye are in their comfort zone. Cool water is walleye weather: the bite is strong at dusk and after dark. On the same water, yellow perch are in a good mood. Perch school near weed edges and soft bottom as the water cools.

The level reads 571.0 ft, 0.6 ft lower than a week ago and 1.1 ft down over 26 days. That puts it 1 ft below the usual level for this time of year. Falling water pulls fish toward points and channel edges and can strand the shallow end of a ramp.

Where to go

On Lake Erie (western basin), start at the point drop-off marked on the map, fishing 36 to 40 ft. The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed. It suits walleye and smallmouth bass; jig and minnow or crankbait along the edge.

Depth map of Lake Erie (western basin): shoreline, depth shading and contour lines, with today's free fishing spot — **Lake Erie (western basin) lake bed.** Darker blue is deeper water; contour lines every 20 ft. The star marks the free spot named in this report (point drop-off, 36 to 40 ft). Depths are estimated where the lake has not been surveyed.

See this spot in 3-D

Plan a visit

Places to stay near the water are listed below if you want to make a weekend of it.