7/14/26 Lake Erie Central Basin Fishing Report
July 14, 2026
Wow, a lot has been happening in the Central Basin of Lake Erie over the past couple of weeks! Lake Erie Walleye fishing is still on fire right now. I have made the transition back to trolling spoons and put the wire rods on the rooftop. Walleye grade is very good, with an average length of 18 to 21 inches. The biggest walleye has been 26.75 inches lately.
Seas have been mostly calm, 3 feet and under. We did have one day of a northeast wind at about 20 mph, leading to much larger seas. Nothing we have not fished in before. Skies have been mostly sunny with an occasional rain shower here and there. Mostly in the evenings, we did miss the big rain that brought 17 inches to Kelly's Island. Temperature has been in the high 80s to low 90s for the norm. Water temperature is warming rapidly, with 74 degrees at the surface and 41 degrees at 41 feet deep. I have noticed that the thermal cline is starting to form in the deeper waters.
Now for the program we have been using lately to catch these toothy critters. Same old, same old dipsy diver program; however, this time we have Magnum Silver Streak spoons on them. Targeting 35 to 40 feet down in the water column. I have also gone to Tru Trip 40 jets on the board lines, with the same Magnum Silver Streak spoons. I am targeting a little higher in the column with the board lines, fishing 30 to 35 feet down. The marks appear to be at 27-41 feet deep. As the thermocline sets up further, I would say the fish should start to gather right above it or in it. Walleyes like the colder water not because it makes their temperature feel better; they can breathe better in cooler water. Oxygen molecules are closer together and more dense in colder water, making it easier for fish to breathe. Color patterns that have been producing the most shots are Greasy Chicken Wing, Blue Chilly Willy, Green Chilly Willy, Pink Panties, and Orange Crush. The sweet spot for speed at the lure on the Fish Hawk has been a little different each day. Some days the walleye want it at 2.6 MPH, some days 3.3 MPH. I have been playing with speed each day to find what the fish want.
If you have been thinking about coming to Lake Erie to Fish for Walleye with us and booking a charter, there are still some open dates. Dates are becoming more and more limited with each phone call; however, we certainly have room to take you charter fishing.
Mustad Pro Tips:
- Find what the fish want that day and give it to them! Don't always rely on what worked last time. Yesterday is a good starting point; however, it can change by the day or hour what the walleye want.
- Play with that speed and angle to find the sweet spot!
- Fish lures you have the most confidence in catching on will always catch the most fish.
Until Next Time,
Gotta Go, Fish ON 🎣 Get The Net‼️,
Captain Kris