Seems the more current Lake Erie fishing intel is best garnered on social media sites these days, but many anglers savvy to the internet likely already know this. I recently talked to an Ohio DNR official who confirmed this to me in an email with regard to the agency’s fishing reports.
“We have learned that the information we provide is generally outdated by the time we post it [we get info from our creel survey, and its often a week or more late by the time we post something],” said Eric Weimer of the Division of Wildlife’s office in Sandusky. “There are much better sources for anglers to get current fishing info, especially online or on social media. We generally update the report when there is a noteworthy shift or change in the fishery.”
With that being said, the one Lake Erie site I joined, Lake Erie Fishing Reports on Facebook, provides coverage from the western basin all the way into Pennsylvania to New York with anglers and guides commenting on it.
Many are generous with the information they post. For instance a Monroe guide, Savage Pursuit Guide Service, offering trips from Michigan and Ohio, tallied 45 walleye and various other fish to include perch and catfish on Wednesday.
“Cranks and crawlers did most of our work today,” the post said. “Forty-five leads on harnesses 60 to 65 feet,1.8-2.2 SOG, dumping grounds to Stateline in 18 to 21 feet of water.” Basically all you need, if you know the lingo. For instance, SOG is the Speed Over Ground the boat travels based on the fish finder.
Again, being humored at how easily they release the information to one another, I said as much to Captain Aaron Savage, and asked if it was the camaraderie among the captains to help one another?
“Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it,” he said back to me in Facebook Messenger. “But I like to put info out there for ALL! I love fishing and love getting others on the water. It’s that simple.”
Turns out that he really is all about that, as he’s an Army veteran of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars who takes out wounded warriors on fishing trips.
“Crazy thing is I ended up a captain to be able to take other disabled veterans fishing free of charge ... went so far to do a cash out a refi on my house to afford the boat and gear. Purchased a boat that can accommodate wheelchairs.”
He also is a firefighter with the Madison Charter Township and Clayton Township fire departments in Lenawee County, Mich. His fishing charter service has a page on Facebook.
Kind of amazing what you find out when a couple Army veterans start sharing stories. It was something my father told me that I would always be able to fall back on and have something in common with others who have a military background.
BACK ON THE HUNT
Michigan coyote hunters are back on watch after the Natural Resources Commission closed the season from April 16 to July 14 this season.
One hunter, Chris Kreiner, of Ionia County, was “absolutely” ecstatic to get back on some howlers early Monday, the morning the season resumed.
He and his partner Justin Shattuck were able to knock down a three-legged male while using some distress calls.
“Yessir, the only stand we did last night,” he said. “Storms cut us short.”
He was planning on going back out throughout the week.
APPLICATION PERIOD NOW OPEN
Also in Michigan, the application period for deer hunting access is open from July 15 to Aug. 15, according to a news release from the DNR.
It’s no longer necessary to apply for universal antlerless licenses — those are now available over the counter at select stores that sell licenses.
Except in the Upper Peninsula for deer management unit 352 in the western central zone does require an antlerless deer hunting access permit to go with the universal antlerless deer tag. The eastern central DMU 351 is closed to antlerless hunting for this year.
For the lower peninsula reserved deer hunts in Sharonville State Game Area, Shiawassee River National Wildlife Refuge or Shiawassee State Game Area, hunters will need to apply for a permit at license agents, online at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. The applications cost $5.
First Published July 20, 2024, 12:30 p.m.
