I am wanting to take the family up to lake Erie in the middle of June next year. where are some good places to stay where I could keep the boat in the water with out worrying about waves or wind?
I am wanting to take the family up to lake Erie in the middle of June next year. where are some good places to stay where I could keep the boat in the water with out worrying about waves or wind?
That's a tough one. I don't know any places off the top of my head that you could stay and walk out to your boat in the water. There are places to stay, but they require trailering the boat back and forth to the boat ramp. You could call a marina on the lake and see if they have any open docks they might want to rent out for the week. Tibbles in East Harbor would be protected from the big lake. Good luck, and you will enjoy your trip for sure.Originally Posted by finsh'n'freak
We've stayed here before. Mazurik ramp is close, they have room for trailers and outlets for charging at the cottages. They also have docks protected within East Harbor but the docks don't have power. Decent place.
Hint: make sure you get a remodeled cottage, the older one we got a few years ago had an old refrigerator that smelled like a dumpster full of fish.
https://littletedscottages.com/
Former Owner of a 2007 Ranger 180 VS 150 2 Stroke Vmax
Does anyone ever fish Sandusky Bay? I think ill be staying in this area. It looks like a good area but on the navionics app it looks very shallow?
Sandusky Bay is an excellent fishery, by Ohio standards. A lot of the shoreline is 3-6 feet deep, so it’s best to stay out a bit when running. And it’s not all the same. Lots of riprap make it a great place to lock a crank bait or spinner bait in your hand and just explore. Lots of boat harbors/inlets make great spawning habitat. Lots of bridges and canals make great pinch points for current in warmer weather. Also pad fields in certain areas, and openings to the big lake where smallmouth hang out. There’s also a fair amount of fishing pressure.
You could Airbnb a house or condo and keep a boat in the water at Middle bass island.
Sandusky bay is a blast to fish. Just watch the shallow point coming out from Johnson island when heading to the lake. Did a video a while back from there with some drone footage. We’ll have another one coming out next month. Always seem to catch a lot there.
https://rumble.com/v2b9bx8-sandusky-...66lt3&mc=9e0fe
Is the whole bay shallow? Is it safe to run?
Everything on the main bay is safe to run, except if you go under the tracks on the other side going south. Under the bridge taking shortcut by Johnson Island there is shallow water to the left and right. If you launch at Dempsey or in Sandusky you are fine running anywhere in the main bay except by Johnson island going out. Long shallow point comes out there. Stay close to Cedar point going out. You will see marker bouy's for the big ships coming in and out. Nothing to worry about in the main large bay. People water ski and everything else out there. Tons of boat traffic.
Yes, I’d be much more concerned about staying out of the way of large boat traffic/wakes than running offshore. I can’t imagine anyone running unfamiliar waters these days without some type of map to go by. If you [OP] don’t have one on your boat, you can down line apps on your phone and/or take a look at Google Earth to see the few outstanding shallow areas to avoid. Other than those few, easily seen areas, just be careful going in or out of any channels or boat basins. Those all have dredged channels, but if you get off the channel, the bottom is typically rock, and can get shallow quickly. 100 feet offshore, the vast majority of the Bay is safely navigable.
I like to fish the bay it does get a little rough if the wind is right or its the weekend and it nice out you have till about 10:30 on the weekend till traffic shows up. as said above straight in and out of where you are going
I think I may stay up in the bay. Im also looking around west harbor.
Only way I would fish harbors or the bay is the lake is 3ft+ waves.
East and West harbors are huge and excellent largemouth fishing.. You can spend days and never cover all the docks and riprap. I fish the harbors a lot - especially when the wind is blowing (even a little)…. The bay is also great as is the black river. If you venture onto the main lake, pay close attention to the weather - it can get bad REAL quick.. Pay attention to your charts - there are spots that will eat a lower unit…
I prefer to fish for largemouth so the bay and harbors suit me fine.. Really have to venture out further to chase the smallies in June..
Last edited by smp005; 12-15-2023 at 08:07 PM.
Scott
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I haven't spent any time in the Black River. How safe is that area? Someone told me a long time ago there can be some issues in that area. Have you ever heard or seen this in your time there? I'd like to fish it someday.
No issues from the wharf ramp to the lake. I haven't gone up river past that.
It's not as good fishing as the harbors. Not even close.
Sounds like Mar-Lu checks all your boxes http://mar-lu.com/ratespackages.html
I've stayed there plenty of times. It's setup for fisherman...plenty of parking where you can leave your trailer hooked up with electric. It's right in East Harbor, which has plenty of fishing if the winds are blowing, otherwise you have a straight shot out to the main lake. As for the rooms, it's great for a bunch of guys on a fishing trip, but it's not anything fancy.
Thank you
Try South Beach Resort in Marblehead. It's on the bay and has cottages and lodging with a nice marina.
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