Charter Info

WESTERN BASIN

(Oak Harbor, Port Clinton)

Sweet Escape Charters home port is located at Wild Wings Marina and Campground, just off State Route 2, ten miles west of Port Clinton, Ohio, or 24 miles east of Toledo, Ohio. We fish this area for the majority of the season, starting in April, right after ice-out, through September. This time frame is dependent of the movement and activity of the fish. This port is in the heart of the Western Basin, “The Walleye Capital of the World”, and a short boat ride to the very popular reef complex of Lake Erie. Allowing us to get to the fish much faster than other charter services. Our port is one of the most convenient areas on Lake Erie for fishing. Having lodging, restaurant, bar, and convenient store all with in walking distance makes it very convenient for our customers. After catching a limit of nice walleye or perch, they can be picked up dockside and taken to our excellent fish cleaning facility right in the marina for an extra fee while waiting.

CENTRAL BASIN

(Huron, Vermillion)

As the fish make their eastward movement to deeper and cooler waters, Sweet Escape Charters moves with the fish. We will move the boat to either the Huron River or Vermillion River. This move allows us to stay in close reach to active and sometimes larger fish. This move usually occurs in late September and continues through October. Lodging is still available at Wild Wings Marina, but will require an approximate drive of 30 miles or you may choose to stay in local hotel.

BEST FISHING TIMES ON LAKE ERIE

WALLEYE FISHING
Limit
  • (March and April) 4 per person / per day
  • (May thru October) 6 per person / per day
  • 15 inch minimum
  • Fishing Conditions: Excellent
  • Average Size: 3-6 lbs. possible trophies
  • Weather Conditions: Cold / Cool
  • Fishing Method: Casting jigs tipped with minnows
  • Fishing Conditions: Excellent, good
  • Average Size: 2 - 4 lbs.
  • Weather Conditions: Warm, Hot
  • Fishing Method: Casting crawler harnesses, possible trolling stinger spoons
  • Fishing Conditions: Good, Fair
  • Average Size: 2 - 4 lbs.
  • Weather Conditions: Hot, Warm
  • Fishing Method: Mainly trolling stinger spoons, possible casting crawler harnesses
  • Fishing Conditions: Good
  • Average Size: 3 - 8 lbs., possible trophies
  • Weather Conditions: Cool
  • Fishing Method: Mainly trolling stinger spoons, possible casting crawler harnesses
PERCH FISHING
Limit
  • 25 - 30 depending on the hailing port
  • No size limit
  • Fishing Conditions: Good, Average
  • Average Size: Varies
  • Weather Conditions: Hot, Warm
  • Fishing Method: Spreader or crappie rig tipped with minnow
  • Fishing Conditions: Excellent
  • Average Size: Varies
  • Weather Conditions: Warm, Cool
  • Fishing Method: Spreader or crappie rig tipped with minnow
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Limit
  • 5 per person / per day
  • 14" minimum
  • We encourage catch and release
  • Season is closed from May thru end of June, see regulations for exact dates
  • Fishing Conditions: Good
  • Average Size: Varies
  • Weather Conditions: Warm, Hot, Cool
  • Fishing Method: Tube jigs, soft-craws, minnows

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Sweet Escape Charters is a first class charter boat operation on the western basin of Lake Erie running out of Wild Wings Marina. We supply almost everything you need for your trip to be enjoyable and successful. You might think this would increase the price of the trip, but it still remains very affordable.

All equipment is updated regularly and maintained so you are assured the best opportunity to land Lake Erie’s variety of species. While drifting and casting for walleye, you will use a Shimano Sonora reel attached to a 6′ medium-heavy St. Croix spinning rod with 15lb. test , 4lb. diameter Power Pro line. Casting a crawler harness (weapon) tipped with a nightcrawler.While trolling for walleye, you will use a Okuma Magda Pro reel attached to a 7′ Shimano TDR rod with 30lb. test, 8lb. diameter Power Pro line. These outfits are trolling Michigan Stinger spoons.All of this equipment is provided aboard Sweet Escape Charters for optimum fishing. Any bait, tackle, and ice needed for your trip are also provided. The only bait not provided are soft craws for use with smallmouth bass.

Lake Erie weather patterns can change frequently and quickly. It is recommended to always plan accordingly for your trip.

WHAT WILL WE BE CATCHING?

WALLEYE

Walleye generally prefer cool water, less than 72° F, moderately clear (3-6 ft visibility) with lots of small fish for food. Walleyes will move great distances to find these conditions, so you may have to search a wide area to find schools of fish. When large schools are found, fishing can be excellent for days or weeks until conditions change. Weather conditions affect walleyes dramatically: hot, calm days with clear water can make fish inactive and easily spooked during the day and more active during dawn and dusk periods, while overcast days with 2-3′ waves can be productive throughout the day. Actively feeding walleyes are often suspended in the water column, both nearshore or offshore, and are fairly easy to catch. Inactive walleyes are usually found on or near the lakes bottom, especially near rocks or other structure, and often need to be enticed into biting. Walleyes generally feed on prey that are above them so you should try various presentations throughout the water column until you locate the fish.

Casting:
Spinning reels on 6-7′ rods with medium to medium-heavy action and 8 – 10 lb. test line; bait cast or spin cast reels with shorter rods. Casting lures are typically 3/8 to 1 ounce “mayfly” or “weapon” rigs tipped with a worm.

Jigging:
Medium-heavy to heavy-action rods with 8 – 10 lb. test line for vertical jigging 3/8 to 3/4 ounce baits off the bottom. Blade baits and hair jigs are standard walleye jigging baits.

Trolling:
Bait-casting reels on 7′ medium-heavy rods, 10 – 15 lb. test line. Leaders (20 lb. test) are attached to michingan stinger spoons. Trollers use a variety of techniques, including flat-lining with diving plugs or bottom bouncers with night-crawler harnesses and controlled-depth fishing dipsy divers or jet divers with spoons. Planer boards are especially useful to get baits away from the boat because walleyes can be spooked by boat noise.

YELLOW PERCH

Yellow perch, one of the most popular sport fishes in Lake Erie, are most active during daylight hours at water temperatures between 45 – 75° F. They have a diverse diet, including insects, plankton, mussels, crayfish, and small fish. Perch use a variety of habitats on Lake Erie, ranging from rocky reefs and shallow near- shore areas to deep, soft-bottomed areas, but are always near the lake bottom. Once large schools of perch are located, fishing can be fast and furious. Anglers should move to find active schools if the “bite” is slow. Perch bites are often subtle “taps” that can be best felt by holding your line between your fingers and watching your rod tip for the slightest movement. Perch fishing is a great family activity because perch are so abundant and easy to catch.

Bait cast or spinning reels on light-medium action, 5′ – 6′ rods, with 8 – 10 lb. test line. Braided line with no-stretch works especially well. The most common technique is to use a 2-way spreader with #4 – #6 long-shanked, snelled hooks tipped with shiners and a 3/4 to 1 ounce sinker. Jigging the spreader periodically gives the shiners some movement and usually entices a bite.

SMALLMOUTH BASS

Smallmouth bass prefer clear waters and are most active in Lake Erie during daylight hours at water temperatures between 45 – 75° F. Bass are attracted to underwater structure, such as rocks, shipwrecks, piers, logs, and submerged vegetation where they can ambush their prey. They are usually found on or near the bottom, but prefer ledges and drop-offs between shallow and deeper areas. They have a diverse diet, that includes small fish, crayfish, and insects. Female bass lay about 5,000 eggs in bottom depressions during the spring and the male remains on the “nest” to protect eggs and fry against predators. Any bass caught during the spring nesting period must be immediately returned to the water. When hooked, smallmouth bass are the hardest fighting and the most acrobatic species in the lake.

Baitcast or spinning reels on medium-heavy action, 6′ – 7′ rods, with 8 – 10 lb. test line. Braided, no-stretch lines are preferred by many bass anglers. Popular jigging lures include 2 – 5″ tube baits, twister tails, hair jigs, and spoons. Casters use a variety of plugs in both fish and crayfish patterns. Live-bait fishing with shiners or crayfish is especially effective during the late-summer and fall months, with a #2 -#4 snelled hook below a 3/8 – 3/4 ounce sinker and barrel swivel.

NEEDED ITEMS

Dress for the Season!

  • Ohio fishing license
  • Digital camera or video
  • Cooler to transport fish home
  • Sun screen and sun glasses
  • Motion sickness medication
  • Warm/cool clothes
  • Rain gear
  • Food, snacks, and beverages
  • Soft soled shoes

WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW

What is the best time to book a trip?

Walleye fishing is good to excellent on Lake Erie for the entire season. The month of April is an extremely good time for jig fishing. Drift fishing is good to excellent during the months of May and June. Trolling is usually done the remainder of the fishing season. This usually depends on the wind, weather, and activity of the fish. Perch fishing is good to excellent during late August thru October. Smallmouth bass fishing is usually the best during June and July.

Yes, an annual resident license is required for persons age 16 to 65 for $19.00. A resident license is required for persons age 66 or older for $10.00. A resident or nonresident can also purchase a single day license for $11.00. Nonresident’s can also purchase an annual license for $40.00 or a 3-day tourists license for $19.00. Licenses can be purchased on line or at the convenient store in Wild Wings Marina and Campground.

The walleye limit is 4 from March 1 thru April 30 and 6 for the remainder of the season with a minimum size of 15 inches. The yellow perch limit is 30 with no minimum size requirements. Smallmouth bass are illegal to possess from May 1 thru June 29. A limit of 5 is allowed from June 30 thru April 30 with a minimum size of 14 inches.

Type
Pounds
Length
Location
Name
Date
Walleye
16.19
33″
Lake ErieRandy Van Dam6/16/93
Yellow Perch
2.75
14.5″
Lake ErieCharles Thomas4/17/84
Smallmouth Bass
9.5
23.5″
Lake ErieTom Haberman11/23/99

The Ohio Division of Wildlife will recognize an angler’s fishing success by sending them a pin and certificate. If an angler can catch four fish ohio species, they can earn a master angler status. The minimum size requirements for fish ohio status are: walleye – 28″, yellow perch – 13″, and smallmouth bass – 20″. The registering of this can be done by completing a fish ohio form or online at the Ohio Division of Wildlife Fish Ohio site.

No, but tips are always appreciated for the services you receive. Sweet Escape Charters strives to meet the needs of ever customer. If you have a great trip, tips should be considered. It is recommended that you tip 10-15% of the trip cost.

Normal dock time is usually 6 a.m. from Wild Wings Marina in the Western Basin and 7 a.m. from Vermillion or Huron in the Central Basin. Special arrangements can be made, but it is recommended that we leave the dock on time so we can get to the active, schooled-up, fish before boat traffic scatters them. At times the captain will recommend leaving the dock earlier.

This has been very common on Lake Erie the past couple of years. On Sweet Escape Charters you are entitled, dock to dock, eight hours of fishing. Your captain may stay a little extra time if his schedule allows to fulfill your limit. At times, throughout the year, your boat may be scheduled for an afternoon trip and need to be back at the dock.

Sweet Escape Charters is fully equipped to either drift or troll. It is the customers choice of fishing method. The captain will make his recommendation to the customers on which way you will be successful. The weather will usually determine which method to use. We move with the fish. Remember there are no guarantees when fishing, but your captain will do his best to make your day a success.

Your rates include the cost of the trip and lodging (if applicable). You are responsible for food and beverages.

Yes, A $100 deposit per day is required within 7 business days after scheduling to hold your trip. If you need to cancel your trip, it needs to be done 3 weeks before the scheduled date in order to have your deposit refunded. Call early, we may be able to reschedule your trip.

Yes, we have very affordable lodging in mobile homes located right in the marina. These have all the comforts and accommodations of home.

Trips can be cancelled due to inclimate weather conditions. This is the captains decision. You will have the opportuntiy to reschedule another trip or have your deposit refunded.

Yes, Please be responsible. You are aboard Sweet Escape Charters to have a good time and relax. Your safety is the captains concern.

Yes, the smoking of cigarettes and cigars is allowed. Remember this a drug- free vessel and no illegal substances are permitted.

The maximum number of paying customers is 6.

Yes, the bathroom is private and clean.

No, but the marina has a fish cleaning service available for an additional cost. They will come directly to the dock and pick up your catch and you can pick them up after a short wait. They will be bagged and ready for your trip home. All you need to do is provide ice.

If we are fishing in the Westeren Basin, the deepest part will be 32′ of water. The average depth in the Western Basin is approximately 24′ with areas eight miles out only being 2 – 4′ deep in the reef complex. If we are fishing in the Central Basin, most areas range from 40 – 80′ in depth. The average depth in the Central Basin is approximately 61′ in depth.

Yes, Everything is provided except food and beverages. You may bring your own rods, reels, and tackle, but we have all the updated tackle to fulfill your limit.

Yes, kids are always welcome. It is recommended that the minimum age for a child on the boat be 8 years of age. This is only a recommendation due the rough weather conditions that Lake Erie can produce and the amount of time you will be on the water. Remember you want this to be a positive experience for your son or daugther.

At 240 miles wide by 57 miles across with an average depth of just 62 feet, Lake Erie is ths shallowest of the Great Lakes. When it comes to biological production, however, Lake Erie has no equal. Its annual sport and commercial fish harvest often exceeds that of the other four Great Lakes combined, and the fishery for most species is sustained entirely through natural reproduction. The only fish that is stocked in Lake Erie is the steelhead.

At times throughout the year we will be fishing near the Canadian boarder on Lake Erie, which is approximately 14 miles from Wild Wings Marina. The closest Canadian port from Wild Wings Marina is Colchester, Canada, which is approximately 30 miles.