Before you go fishing in the Erie area, check here for recent area reports!
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FishUSA Staff
Location: Presque Isle Bay
Time Observed: 1/27/2025
Water Conditions: 9+” of Ice
We hope everyone enjoyed an excellent weekend on the ice! There is 9+” of ice off Chestnut, and many people took advantage of that this weekend. Perch reports are mostly good, many keeper size fish are being taken out deep off Chestnut and Liberty. Most anglers are leaving happy. Stop in for all of your ice fishing needs!


FishUSA Staff
Location: Presque Isle State Park
Time Observed: 1/20/2025
Water Conditions: Good Ice
Misery Bay & Horseshoe Pond: 5-6” – Off Chestnut: 5-7” – Head of the Bay: 5” (some softer spots were found there this weekend so use caution) The next few days of frigid temps should help. Keep in mind that ice conditions can change rapidly and that you should always carry proper safety equipment. Not many people out this morning, it’s bitter cold and very windy. Reports were mixed from the weekend. Misery seems to be fishing tough, with fish showing signs of pressure, but there are perch, bluegill, and crappie to be caught if you put the time in. Elsewhere in the bay, some did well perch fishing, mostly those that decided to head deeper. We still have lots of ice fishing ahead of us, so stop in and get stocked up! Good luck and be safe out there!


FishUSA Staff
Location: Presque Isle State Park
Time Observed: 1/12/2025
Water Conditions: Good Ice
As of Sunday afternoon, about 4-5” of ice on Misery and Horseshoe, roughly 4” on Marina Lake, and about 3” at the head of the bay. Shoreline ice was not great at the head of the bay. Keep in mind that ice conditions can change based on wind and snowfall. Be safe out there and good luck!


FishUSA Staff
Location: All Over the Peninsula
Time Observed: 1/10/2025
Water Conditions: Some Good Ice
There are about 20 huts on Misery and more people heading out by the minute. Everyone is going out from the main parking lot on the North side of the bay. The shoreline ice near the pull offs on the West side of the bay looks pretty sketchy. Just a few huts in Horseshoe, but the ice looked okay there. The ice at the head of the bay did not look very good. There has been a good bit of snow on it, and it looks like soft, white ice a good ways out. Probably going to need some more time before that is a for sure safe bet. Good luck and be safe out there! We have all of your ice fishing needs here at the Pro Shop!


FishUSA Staff
Location: Erie Tributaries
Time Observed: 1/7/2025
Water Conditions: Slushy but Fishable
For the die hards out there, the tribs still have some open water on them! Slush is present, as well as ice on the edges, but they’re fishable. This won’t last long though. Walnut Marina is iced up, and the rest of the creek will probably be mostly ice by tomorrow. We’re going to be ice fishing any day now! We have all of your ice fishing needs – rods, reels, line, jigs, augers, heaters, huts, and more. Stop in and stock up!


FishUSA Staff
Location: Erie Tributaries
Time Observed: 1/2/2025
Water Conditions: Good
Walnut and other small tribs are looking great today. Elk is still up with some color. If you’re fishing it, the upper stretches would be your best bet. Bright colors are going to excel in these conditions, chartreuse, orange, etc. With some very cold temps and more snow in the forecast, the winter steelheading days look to be numbered. Take advantage while you can!


FishUSA Staff
Location: Erie Tributaries
Time Observed: 12/30/2024
Water Conditions: Blown Out
Yesterday’s rain has the tribs blown out, and a slushy wintry mix through most of today probably isn’t going to help them drop any. We’ve got some very cold temps starting later this week that are eventually going to ice up the tribs, but there will likely be a day or two of good fishable conditions before that happens. We will continue to keep you updated.


FishUSA Staff
Location: Erie Tributaries
Time Observed: 12/27/2024
Water Conditions: Clear
We hope you all had a great Christmas and got to hit the water some! The tribs have cleared up, and reports are mixed. There are enough fish around to keep busy though, mainly on Elk, and with the warm up this weekend they will be quite active. Downsizing will help you get more bites in conditions such as what we’ll have this weekend. Small egg sacs or single eggs, 6mm beads, small egg patterns and nymphs, or jigs will all catch fish. Good luck!
