Lake Erie Spring Awakening: Perch, Walleye, and Smallies Going Wild

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your Lake Erie fishing guru right here in the Detroit waters. It's Sunday, April 19, 2026, and we're lookin' at a prime spring day on the big lake—clear skies with temps climbin' to the mid-50s, light northwest winds at 5-10 mph keepin' things calm after last night's chill. Sunrise hit at 6:48 AM, sunset's 8:22 PM, givin' us a solid 13+ hours of light for chasin' 'em. No real tides up here on Erie, but water levels are steady at about 173.5 feet, perfect for nearshore runs.

Fish are wakin' up big time—perch schools thick in 20-35 feet, walleye pushin' in from the Detroit River mouth on night bites, and smallies stackin' on rocky points. Recent reports from local ramps show limits of 8-12 inch perch hammerin' out of Bishop Park, with a few 4-6 lb walleye boated on minnow-tipped jigs near the shipping channel. Bass Pro Shops REDCREST highlights from yesterday note trophy smallmouth action lake-wide, and Baldwin Bait chatter confirms Great Lakes spring patterns holdin' strong.

Best lures right now? Blade baits like 1/2 oz silver hair jigs for perch and walleye—rip 'em slow off bottom. For smallies, 6-inch boot tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz heads, worked steady retrieve in 10-20 feet. Live bait kings: fathead minnows or nightcrawlers on slip bobbers for suspender walleye, emerald shiners for perch spreads.

Hot spots: Hit the Detroit River light west of the Ambassador Bridge at first light—walleye feastin' on bait balls. Then slide to Sterling State Park reefs for perch city, or try Pointe Mouillee north marshes for staging smallies.

Stay safe, check regs, and wear your PFDs.

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