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Expert-Guided Lake Erie Walleye Fishing | Evening
- Published Date: July 18, 2025
- Fishing
- Buffalo, NY
- $320 - $400 price range
- Updated Date: December 7, 2025
Summary
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Lake Erie's Finest Catches
Walleye Bonanza: Evening Lake Erie Fishing
Ready for some serious walleye action on Lake Erie? We've got just the trip for you. Our 5-hour evening charters put you right in the thick of some of the best walleye fishing waters around Buffalo and Dunkirk. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the game, our expert crew will make sure you're in for a treat. We'll cruise out as the sun starts to dip, when the walleye are most active and hungry. It's the perfect recipe for a killer fishing experience that'll have you coming back for more.
What to Expect on the Water
As we push off from Buffalo Harbor, Sturgeon Point, or Bart's Cove Marina (depending on the season), you'll feel the excitement build. The lake takes on a whole new character in the evening light, and that's when the walleye really start to bite. We'll hit up some prime fishing spots that our captains know like the back of their hand. You'll be using top-notch gear and learning pro techniques to maximize your chances of landing the big one. And let's be real - there's nothing quite like the thrill of feeling that first tug on your line as the sun sets over Lake Erie.
Trolling Tactics & Top Spots
On our evening charters, we typically use trolling techniques to cover more water and find those active fish. We'll set up with multiple lines, using a mix of crankbaits, spinners, and sometimes live bait to entice the walleye. Our boats are decked out with fish finders and GPS, so we can zero in on the best spots. We might hit some underwater structures or drop-offs where walleye like to hang out. As we move between spots, keep an eye out for birds diving - that's often a sign of baitfish, and where there's bait, there's usually walleye nearby. Don't worry if you're new to trolling; our crew will walk you through everything you need to know.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
"We had a great trip and were able to catch 23 walleye! Captain David is an expert for sure! His ability to move equipment around to make it easier to reel was impressive! 10 out of 10, would recommend!" - Lynn Ann
"Capt. David was a true pro, put us on a four man limit of larger than average walleye! He was pleasant professional and willing to share his knowledge and describe tactics. Boat was great, large clean and well kept. I'll definitely book again!" - Joe
Species You'll Want to Hook
Walleye: The star of the show, Lake Erie walleye are known for their size and fight. These golden-eyed predators can grow up to 20 inches or more, and they're at their most active during low light conditions - perfect for our evening trips. Walleye are prized for their tasty, flaky white meat, making them a favorite among anglers and foodies alike. The best time to target them is typically from May through October, with peak season often in June and July.
Smallmouth Bass: While we're primarily after walleye, don't be surprised if you hook into a feisty smallmouth. These bronze beauties are pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighting fish in the lake. They love rocky areas and can often be found in the same spots as walleye. Smallmouth in Lake Erie can grow to impressive sizes, with 4-5 pounders not uncommon.
Steelhead Trout: These acrobatic fighters are a treat to catch when they show up. Lake Erie steelhead are known for their spectacular jumps and long runs. They're typically more active in cooler months, but you might get lucky and hook one during summer evenings. Steelhead in Lake Erie can reach up to 30 inches, providing an exciting challenge for any angler.
American Yellow Perch: These smaller cousins of the walleye are a blast to catch and delicious to eat. They often school in large numbers, so when you find them, the action can be fast and furious. Yellow perch in Lake Erie average 8-12 inches, but bigger ones are not uncommon. They're active year-round, making them a reliable target on our trips.
Lake Trout: While less common on our evening charters, lake trout are a possibility, especially in cooler months. These deep-water dwellers can grow to impressive sizes in Lake Erie, with 10-20 pounders not unheard of. They put up a stubborn fight and are highly prized by anglers for both sport and table fare.
Time to Book Your Spot
Look, if you're after a top-notch walleye fishing experience on Lake Erie, this is the trip for you. We've got the know-how, the gear, and the spots to put you on fish. Whether you're looking to fill the freezer or just want to experience the thrill of battling Lake Erie walleye, we've got you covered. Remember, these trips fill up fast, especially during peak season. So don't wait - grab your spot now and get ready for an evening of world-class walleye fishing. Trust me, once you feel that first hit and reel in a chunky Erie walleye, you'll be hooked for life. See you on the water!
Customer Reviews
Walleye Bonanza
Lynn Ann Feroli
July 8, 2025
Walleye Wizardry
Capt. David was a true pro, put us on a four man limit of larger than average walleye! He was pleasant professional and willing to share his knowledge and describe tactics. Boat was great, large clean and well kept. I'll definitely book again!
Joe OBrien
July 13, 2025
Learn more about the species
American Yellow Perch
Yellow perch are the tasty panfish of Lake Erie, usually 7-12 inches long and under 2 pounds. These golden-yellow fish with dark vertical bars school up in huge numbers. You'll find them near weed beds, drop-offs, and structure in 15-30 feet of water. Spring and fall are best, but you can catch them year-round. Perch are easy to catch and great for kids or beginners. They're also some of the best-eating freshwater fish around. Use light tackle with small jigs or minnows on spreader rigs. Perch love to hang out over sandy or gravel bottom areas. My local tip: if you find one, you've found a bunch - so don't move your boat. Just keep dropping your bait down. The action can be fast and furious when you hit a big school. Bonus: perch make excellent live bait for bigger predators like walleye.
Lake Trout
Lake trout are the giants of Lake Erie, often 15-30 pounds with some topping 40. These deep-water dwellers have dark bodies with light spots. They prefer cold, well-oxygenated waters, so look for them in the deepest parts of the lake, especially in summer. Spring and fall, when they move shallower, are prime seasons. Lakers are prized for their size and fight, plus they're excellent eating. Trolling with downriggers using spoons or large plugs is the most effective method. Jigging in deep water can also produce. These fish grow slowly and live long, so practice catch-and-release for the big ones. Local tip: try fishing near underwater humps or drop-offs in 50-100 feet of water. Lake trout fishing requires some specialized gear, but hooking into one of these behemoths is an experience you won't forget.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass in Lake Erie are fighters, usually 2-6 pounds and 12-20 inches long. These bronzeback beauties hang out near rocky areas, drop-offs, and sunken structures in 5-30 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime times, but summer mornings and evenings can be productive too. Smallies are known for their acrobatic jumps and hard runs, making them a blast to catch. They're also great eating fish. Look for them around points, shoals, and underwater humps. Light tackle with 6-10 pound test line works well. Tube jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastics are go-to lures. My insider tip: when the water's calm, try topwater lures at dawn and dusk - the strikes are explosive. Remember, smallmouth prefer cooler water, so adjust your depth as the seasons change.
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead in Lake Erie are like supercharged rainbow trout, averaging 5-10 pounds but some topping 15. These silver missiles spend most of their time in the lake, running up tributaries in fall and spring. During summer, find them in cooler, deeper waters. Steelhead are prized for their hard-fighting ability and acrobatic leaps. They'll test your gear and skills like few other fish. Trolling spoons or stick baits in 30-70 feet of water is effective. When they're in the rivers, drift fishing with eggs or flies is the way to go. Peak season is fall through spring, but summer can produce too. Here's a local secret: after a good rain in early fall, hit the river mouths with spawn sacs or small spoons. Steelhead fishing can be challenging, but the reward is an epic battle with one of the lake's top gamefish.
Walleye
Walleye are the prize catch of Lake Erie, typically running 18-30 inches and 2-10 pounds. These golden-olive fish with sharp teeth prefer cooler, deeper waters during the day, moving to shallows at night to feed. You'll find them near rocky structures, drop-offs, and weed edges. Late spring and early fall are prime seasons, but summer evenings can be hot too. Walleye put up a good fight and taste great, making them popular with anglers. Their eyes reflect light, so low-light periods are best for catching them. Try slow-trolling with nightcrawler harnesses or jigging minnows near the bottom. My local tip: use brightly colored lures on cloudy days and more natural tones when it's sunny. Walleye fishing takes some patience, but landing a big one is always worth the wait.
About the Albemarle
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Mercruiser
Maximum Cruising Speed: 30
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 375
We had a great trip and were able to catch 23 walleye! Captain David is an expert for sure! His ability to move equipment around to make it easier to reel was impressive! 10 out of 10, would recommend!