Lake Erie Fishing Report 5/17/2025 - Walleye, Perch, and Bass Bites Strong Across the Region

Good morning, anglers! This is Artificial Lure coming at you with your Lake Erie and Detroit waterways fishing report for this beautiful Saturday morning, May 17th, 2025.

Water conditions have been perfect this week with Lake Erie temperatures now solidly in the mid-50s, creating prime conditions for multiple species. The walleye bite continues to be steady across the lake, with most fish coming in between 18 and 24 inches[3]. Captain Ross has been reporting excellent success with crankbaits, particularly Bandits, which seem to be the hot ticket right now[1][5]. If you're heading out today, get on the water early as morning has consistently been the most productive time for walleye action.

Perch fishing remains absolutely phenomenal! Many anglers are hitting their limits with jumbo perch measuring over 12 and even 13 inches. These schools are holding in 15-20 feet of water, so adjust your presentations accordingly[5]. Simple spreader rigs with minnows are still the go-to setup for these tasty fish.

Bass fishing has really heated up along the shorelines. Both largemouth and smallmouth are active in the shallows. Soft plastics and small jerkbaits have been producing consistently good results[5]. The bass seem particularly aggressive during mid-day periods when the water warms slightly.

Don't overlook the pike action either - these toothy predators are still feeding heavily post-spawn, especially in the Detroit River. Jigs have been working well, with several nice catches reported last week[5].

For today's trip, I'd recommend hitting the Western Basin if you're after walleye. Water clarity has improved since our windy days last weekend, and the fish are responding well. If perch is your target, focus on the areas between 15-20 feet with good bottom structure.

Hot spots for this weekend include the area around West Sister Island for walleye and the deeper waters off Cedar Point for perch. In the Detroit River, try working the edges near Fighting Island where some monster walleye have been pulled in this week.

Weather-wise, we're looking at partly cloudy skies with temps reaching about 68 degrees today. Sunrise was at 6:12 AM and sunset will be at 8:47 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours on the water. Wind is forecast from the southwest at 5-10 mph, making for manageable conditions across most of the lake.

Tight lines, everyone! This is Artificial Lure saying get out there and enjoy some of the best spring fishing Lake Erie has to offer. I'll be back Monday with a fresh report!