Put-in-Bay Ohio, A Fisherman’s Paradise!
Now that the 2020 Put-in-Bay Ohio season, an unusual one to put it mildly, has come to a close, here at Put-in-Bay Reservations we turn our attention towards 2021. Specifically, April 2021, which will be the next time we are receiving visitors to the island. And those visitors will all be of a very specific type; our beloved fishermen arriving for some Put-in-Bay fishing!
The portrait of Put-in-Bay that most have in their heads is one of a summer paradise. Cold drinks, great shopping and dining, the famous nightlife; for most, this is what Put-in-Bay symbolizes. So they may be surprised to know that for a couple of months out of the year, Put-in-Bay is about one thing and one thing only. FISHING!
Lake Erie, The Walleye Capital of the World
Put-in-Bay is not the only city to claim the title of Walleye Capital of the World, but we can certainly back up our claim. During the annual Walleye hatch, they are basically jumping into the boats! Amateur and semi-professional anglers from all over the country come to the Lake Erie Islands in April and May to catch their limit of Walleye. Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota are the most represented states among the fishermen and women that come visit, as well as those from the state of Ohio and the rest of the Midwest lucky enough to know about this hidden gem right in their backyard.
Don’t get the impression that Walleye are all you’ll be pulling out of Lake Erie though, as you’ll also get your share of both large and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.
Got A Boat? Bring it to PIB Ohio!
The most common way to participate in the great Walleye haul is to bring your own boat over to the island and stay for a couple weeks. The Island Club is a great place to stay if you are bringing your boat, probably the best in fact as you will have your own driveway attached to your home rental! Most of our visitors don’t have their boats in marinas attached to Lake Erie of course, so they hook them up to their vehicles and the Miller Ferry brings them to the Bay!
The boat ramps on the island launch from the South Bass Island State Park. This is where many of the Lake Erie fishing trips begin, although there are also occasional launches from downtown Put-in-Bay. The U.S. Coast Guard does monitor the waters, so don’t get caught without your Ohio fishing license!
Put-in-Bay Fishing Charters
“But what if I don’t own a boat?” you may be asking. Definitely a fair question, I mean if I had the money to buy my own boat, I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here writing this blog! Fortunately, if you aren’t a year-round fisherman but want to enjoy a couple of days out on the water, Put-in-Bay is home to multiple charter boats.
These fishing guides know all the best spots, and they specialize in making sure that you have a good time and don’t go home empty-handed. Some of the best are Captain Bruce’s Put-in-Bay Charter Fishing Service and Captain Park’s Lake Erie Charters, but there are quite a few more to choose from to find the best rates and packages to meet your needs.
Shore Fishing: Maybe You’ll Get Lucky?
The ‘in-for-a-penny’ way to enjoy Put-in-Bay fishing is to just make up to the island with your fishing gear, rent a golf cart, grab an Ohio fishing license from the Wharfside and Topsy Turvey’s and drop a line from the South Bass Island State Park. You aren’t likely to fill up your cooler this way, but at least you’ll be in one of the most beautiful locations in the United States, staring out onto the waters of the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Golf cart rentals are available right in the heart of downtown, and in the case of some lodging like the Island Club and Put-in-Bay Condos, they’re actually available directly from your vacation rental.
Where To Stay For A Put-in-Bay Fishing Getaway
That brings us to the best places to stay for a Put-in-Bay fishing journey and in this regard there is a clear winner. The Island Club has been hosting fishing trips from all over the country for decades now. They have a dedicated fish cleaning area, and their houses all have driveways to plug in your boats. Additionally, every Island Club home has its own propane grill on the premises, so you can enjoy that morning’s catch for dinner. The Island Club is one of our favorite options for Put-in-Bay lodging overall, but especially for fishing!
For Fishing Or Holidays, There’s No Place Like The Bay!
An early season trip to Put-in-Bay is an incredible time. Just down the road from Sandusky and Cedar Point, and a quick car ride away from cities like Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago, is an island paradise! You can enjoy the shopping, all of the great Put-in-Bay restaurants and more, for a fraction of the price of a summer trip. So once the snow melts and the Great Lakes are no longer frozen, hop on the Miller Ferry or Jet Express from Port Clinton, and get to the Bay! We can’t wait to see you there.
