Because Lake Erie is a rather complex weather producing environment, I use a number of technology based resources during the planning process and again throughout our fishing day to ensure both our safety and boating pleasure. While this does include the simple daily weather forecast, others include advanced technology based satellite and radar that give us over-the-horizon viewing capabilities.
Here are some of the sources that I find useful.
- For a general area weather report, I look at NOAA's report for Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio:
Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio
- For an hourly forcast, I look at Weather.com site for Geneva, Ohio:
Geneva, Ohio
- Windfinder gives me hourly wind vectors:
Geneva-on-the-Lake Nearshore wave forcast (less than 5 miles out)
Mentor Headlands Nearshore wave forcast (less than 5 miles out)
Cleveland Buoy Offshore wave forcast (more than 5 miles out)
- Marine Weather from weather.gov:
- Cleveland Region marine weather page
- Walleye Zones:
- West (167): Willowick to Geneva-on-the-Lake, 5+ miles offshore to Canadian line
- East (168): Geneva-on-the-Lake to Conneaut, 5+ miles offshore to Canadian line
- Perch Zones:
- West (147): Willowick to Geneva-on-the-Lake, shore to 5 miles offshore
- East (148): Geneva-on-the-Lake to Conneaut, shore to 5 miles offshore
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NOAA Radar is one of the apps I like for viewing "realtime" lightning strikes from my phone.
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SiriusXM Marine is what I use on the boat to monitor weather conditions. This gives me realtime weather from satellite that is directly overlaid on the GPS charts. This information includes lightning strikes, storm speed (wind) and vector (direction), and rain fall. Very few charters carry this tool as it is a rather expensive service. However, I feel that it is an essential tool for safety when fishing offshore - even if that shore is the North Coast of USA.
Call to fish with the Privateer team
865-805-5593