Hi, I'm Don from North Lawrence, Ohio. Right after high school, I enlisted in the Navy, where I specialized as a hydraulics mechanic on F/A-18 Hornets. After my service, I spent three decades working in a steel mill and am set to retire in March 2025. The outdoors have always been a major part of my life—at one point, I spent several years filming and bow hunting with a local Ohio group. In 2005, I traded my bow for a new passion: Lake Erie walleye fishing. Since then, I’ve enjoyed everything from tournament fishing to guiding clients over the past eight years.
With retirement approaching, I wanted to continue working doing something I love. What could be better than taking people out on the water to fish for walleye, especially in the walleye capital of the world? Over the years, I’ve used a variety of boats but eventually settled on my 2019 Warrior 2121. This smaller charter boat is decked out with the latest Lowrance electronics, powered by a 250 Suzuki outboard, accompanied by a 9.9 kicker motor and a Minn Kota Terrova.
When you come out on a charter with me, the main thing you can expect is a fun day spent catching fish and enjoying the water. I’m not big on rushing—you won’t be hurried from the dock straight to the limit and back. Instead, we’ll take our time and really savor the experience. Throughout the year, I follow the walleye migration, traveling my boat from port to port. Most trips focus on areas from Huron to Cleveland, but I’m flexible and happy to fish wherever you prefer.
I’m excited to meet you and share a great day on the water. Fish on!
Captain Don
Note: Your guide is happy to accommodate flexible start locations. Don was an excellent captain for our outing. His boat was spotless and very well maintained. He patiently explained the best techniques for our group, who were new to walleye fishing, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone.
You can cancel without any fees up to three days prior to your scheduled trip and the amount will be credited back to your account. If you cancel within three days of the trip, your deposit will be non-refundable and paid to the guide. For cancellations made on the day of the trip or if you do not show up, the full trip cost will be charged to your payment method.
All essentials are provided, though we suggest packing sunglasses, sunscreen, suitable clothing for the weather, and any additional items you may want for the journey.
Our focus is exclusively on pursuing trophy-sized walleye, ensuring a specialized fishing experience. From my tournament background, I've learned that targeting these larger fish requires a slightly different approach. This trip isn’t about filling limits quickly and heading back early; instead, we’ll practice culling to maximize our time on the water and keep the action going throughout the day.
These trips are ideal for visiting anglers who want to make the most of their time here, fishing intensively from March through April. There’s truly no better location worldwide to catch multiple 30-inch walleye in a single day. While success always depends on the weather during this season, I guarantee that I will put in all the effort necessary to help you land that once-in-a-lifetime trophy!
