Looking for a map showing depths, drop offs, structure. FishUSA suggested the Navionics HotMaps Explorer DVD. Print your own maps from the DVD. Anyone have it? What do you think?

At the sport and travel expo last week the Fish Comm. at there booth had water resistant paper maps of the bay, they were pretty decient, the best part is they were free. I bet if you do some looking you can get one of those and at no charge.

 
 
http://www.pserie.psu.edu/seagrant/extension/Erie_Task_Force_map-FINAL.pdf
 
 
Terry,
 
Hopefully this will open for you if not google:
Erie Harbor Boating Hazards Map
 
 
 

i was just wandering, i have a 19ft tracker aluminum bass boat with a 20hp on it. would p.i. bay be to much water for my set up? i have never been there and don't want to put myself in a bad situation. i've heard alot about p.i.bay and would like to check it out.

PI is a small bay/lake...It does get choppy at times, but you have more than enough boat!
Poeple fish it in a canoe!

mikeg, thanks for the info, is there any lodging that you could recomend and possibly a good time for perch and crappie? 

I have fished the bay with a 12ft boat and 7.5hp motor.  I now fish from a 16 ft with a 9.9hp and have never had a problem.  You can always fish the back ponds if the bay gets rough.  Just watch the weather conditions and you should be fine.

ORIGINAL: papermouth

mikeg, thanks for the info, is there any lodging that you could recomend and possibly a good time for perch and crappie? 

 
Assuming you're just asking about Presque isle...
 
The perch come in the bay aroung Jan to Fe and people generally do well on jumbos (not so much this year from what I heard) and they will stay till late spring/ealry summer. Although you can always find perch in the bay, but just no where the numbers. They heat up really good come summer time in the lake, but that's another thread for you to make.
 
The crappie bite is good and getting better now. This will go on until about another month depending on the weather. If the weather continues warm and water heats up quick than they will spawn out and move to depper water by end of April to the middle may!
 
If you want crappie go now!

Oh I almost forgot...
 
There are TON of places to stay..Hotels, camping sites, you name it! When you going?
Make sure to hit me up before you come and I'll give you an honest report!

thanks guys for all the info. work is alittle slow so i shouldn't have any problems getting time off anytime in the next month. mikeg, i'll be sure to look you up before i make any plans. thanks again.