Lake Erie April Dawn: Walleye Trolling and Perch Schools Heating Up

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your Lake Erie angler from right here in Detroit, comin' at ya with the early mornin' fishing report for April 2nd, 2026, around 3 AM EDT. Water temps are sittin' in the upper 50s, pushin' fish shallow like we saw yesterday—perch and walleye are keyin' up on that spring warmth.

Weather's lookin' prime: 61 degrees, mostly clear skies, light winds at 9 mph from the west, perfect for castin' without fightin' gusts. Sunrise hits at 7:15 AM, sunset around 8:00 PM, so hit dawn and dusk hard when fish feed aggressive. No real tides on Erie, but that steady river flow outta Detroit River is mimickin' a fallin' tide—fish are stackin' on current breaks.

Recent catches? Walleyes are hot, limits comin' steady on trolling rigs near the shipping channel—folks pullin' 5-8 pounders. Perch schools are thick in 20-30 feet, yellows pilin' up 10-20 per angler. Smallmouth bass are active shallow around rocky points and docks, with some largemouth mixin' in creeks. Crappie hittin' brush piles too, good numbers reported yesterday.

Best lures: Rattlin' lipless crankbaits or spinnerbaits for bass, ripped medium-fast over stumps. For walleye and perch, try shad-colored spoons or Zoom Flukes. Live minnows or small jigs shine on crappie and panfish—match the hatch with shad patterns.

Hot spots: Detroit River mouth drop-offs for walleye trollyou. And check the shallows off Belle Isle—perch and smallies are lit there right now.

Get out early, stay safe on the water!

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI