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Lake Erie Charter Captain Dave Adams of D & D Charters answers questions and provides tips and insights into fishing the region.
If you would like to Ask the Captain a question, please click HERE.
February 16, 2004
Wind from the east, is fishing the least?
When to fish during the winds of Erie.
Tony Asks:
Capt. Dave -
Thanks for sharing your experience with those of us who don't get to spend our life on the water!
In relation to Lake Erie I've always heard: "Wind from the east, fishing's the least." I always watch the weather and wave forecasts for Lake Erie closely before traveling up from Pittsburgh to spend a day on the lake, mostly fishing for smallmouth out of North East marina.
Here's my question: When the forecast calls for winds from the east should I forget about making the drive up to Erie, or is this saying too simplistic?
Thanks for your help.
Tony
Captain Dave's Response:
Hello Tony,
I can recall few days that I had good fishing with a (constant) east wind. What I watch for, however, is the origin of the east wind. Is it constant blow from a low pressure or an approaching high pressure?
Each weather system wind will create a different approach to fishing as well as what to expect for boating conditions.
An east wind from an approaching high pressure isn't bad, providing the weather front will have Lake Erie centered in the high. High pressure systems always rotate clockwise and soon after the east (mostly northeast) wind ends, it will be good for fishing and boating.
The other east wind is the top of a low pressure system (they always turn counter clockwise), which will wipe out fishing for days and create a constant east wind. The same is true for the lower part of a high pressure; it will blow from the east for days and shut down the fishing. A quick glance at a weather map such as on www.weather.com will help in planning a fishing trip.
First, notice the location of weather fronts.
Photo courtesy of the Weather Channel
The "H" is the center of a high pressure area, and the air movement is caused by the barometric pressure, which is higher there than at surrounding places. The force of this pressure causes air to move out and away from the high pressure center. Because of the Earth's rotation, the flow turns to the right in the northern hemisphere.
The "L" is the center of a low pressure. Because of the pressure difference and Earth's rotation, air will spiral into the low pressure center. Normally, low pressure is associated with bad weather. According to meteorologists, they will form along the boundaries separating air masses of different temperature and are generally found under the jet stream.
When viewing a weather map, note the location and distance of the white lines around the weather systems. These are the isobar lines.
For a day of fishing on Lake Erie, this map is not the best, but it is fishable. For example, the isobar lines are spaced far apart, indicating low winds from the east, then switching to southeast.
If the lines are close together, expect higher wind speeds. If Lake Erie was centered on this map, expect east winds up to 25 knots.
The direction of the jet stream can be used to predict which way the low pressure area will travel as well as predicting the movement a high pressure. On the map below, a high pressure system is pushed in our area - as indicated by the trough in the jet stream - while a low pressure system is pushed off the coast, near the top of Florida. The result is fair weather in the northeast United States for a day or two.
Photo courtesy of the Weather Channel
Found at www.weather.com:
Click on Map Room -> Outdoor Activities -> Aviation
Weather forecasting is hard, and not an exact science. But modern technology does help in preparing for a weekend of fishing. If it looks good, go fishing.
But keep an eye to the sky and an ear on the radio because your safety on the water is more important than catching a fish.
Good fishing,
Capt. Dave Adams
Dave Adams is an author and professional charter captain who operates D & D Charters on the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie.
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