38 SACPAS Duck Hunt - Captain Kenny's 5-Hunter

Lake Erie Duck Hunts with Captain Kenny Lewis

Ready to hit the water for some serious duck hunting action? Captain Kenny Lewis knows Lake Erie like the back of his hand, and his 38 SACPAS boat is your ticket to some of the best waterfowl hunting on the Great Lakes. This isn't your typical marsh hunt – we're talking about big water hunting where ducks pile in thick during migration. The boat comfortably holds 5 hunters, making it perfect for your crew to share stories, stay warm, and put some birds in the bag together. At $1,600 for the group, you're getting professional guiding, a seaworthy platform, and access to prime hunting grounds that produce consistently throughout the season.

Inside the Hunt

Lake Erie duck hunting is a different beast entirely. We're not sitting in a blind waiting for flyovers – Captain Kenny runs and guns across the lake, reading wind patterns and water conditions to find where the birds are working. The 38 SACPAS gives us the range and stability to hunt the best spots, whether that's around rocky points, near weed beds, or in protected bays where ducks raft up by the thousands. You'll start early with a hot breakfast to fuel up before we head out, and Kenny will have the spread set and ready by legal shooting time. The hunting style varies with conditions – some days we're pass shooting divers as they trade between feeding and resting areas, other days we're decoying birds into tight spreads in calmer water. Either way, you're in for fast action when the flights are moving.

Tracking Tips & Terrain

Big water hunting requires different tactics than your typical puddle duck setup. Captain Kenny uses a combination of traditional decoy spreads and specialized diving duck rigs depending on what species are moving. The 38 SACPAS boat gives us the mobility to chase the action – if one spot isn't producing, we can quickly move to another honey hole. Weather plays a huge role in success, and Kenny reads conditions like a pro. North winds push birds south along the shoreline, while west winds concentrate them in protected areas. The rocky structure and varying depths create natural feeding areas where different duck species congregate. You'll need to bring your own shotgun, shells, and all required licenses and stamps. Steel shot is mandatory, and most hunters find 12 or 20 gauge guns work best. The boat provides a stable shooting platform, but be ready for some boat-to-boat movement as we position for the best opportunities.

Target Game Breakdown

Redheads are the crown jewel of Lake Erie duck hunting, and these medium-sized divers show up in impressive numbers during peak migration. They're chunky birds with distinctive rounded heads, and the drakes sport that classic rusty-red dome that gives them their name. Redheads love the deeper water near rocky shoals where they dive for aquatic vegetation and small mollusks. They decoy beautifully when conditions are right, and there's nothing quite like watching a raft of redheads swing wide before committing to your spread. Peak times are typically late October through November, and these birds provide excellent table fare.

Canvasback are the speed demons of the duck world, and Lake Erie hosts some fantastic flights during migration. These large divers are built for speed with their sleek profiles and powerful wings – they can hit 70 mph in flight. The drakes have striking white bodies with black chests and distinctive sloped heads. Canvas typically show up in October and can stick around into December if the weather cooperates. They're notorious for making high, fast passes before committing to decoys, so you need to be ready when they finally swing in range. They prefer deeper water and often mix with redheads and bluebills in large rafts.

Lesser and Greater Scaup, locally called bluebills, make up a huge portion of the Lake Erie duck hunting action. These hardy divers arrive early and often stick around until freeze-up forces them south. Scaup are social birds that raft up in massive numbers – we're talking flocks of hundreds or even thousands. They're aggressive when it comes to decoys and will often buzz the spread multiple times before landing. The shooting can be fast and furious when a big flock decides to work your setup. Lesser scaup are more common, but the greater scaup show up too, especially during late season cold snaps.

Common Goldeneye bring a different dynamic to Lake Erie hunting with their distinctive whistling wing beats and aggressive diving behavior. These compact ducks are incredibly hardy, often being the last species to leave when ice starts forming. The drakes are striking with their white bodies, dark heads, and characteristic white cheek patches. Goldeneye are excellent divers and feed primarily on aquatic invertebrates and small fish. They respond well to smaller decoy spreads and can provide steady action throughout the season. Their meat is excellent, and they're fun to hunt because they're so responsive to calling.

Bufflehead might be the smallest ducks we target, but they more than make up for size with personality. These little divers are incredibly fast and agile, earning them the nickname "butterballs." The black and white drakes are unmistakable, and they often travel in small flocks that buzz decoy spreads at incredible speeds. While they might not fill the cooler like bigger ducks, bufflehead are a blast to hunt and surprisingly good on the table. They show up consistently throughout the season and add variety to mixed bags of divers.

Book Your Next Tag

Lake Erie duck hunting with Captain Kenny Lewis delivers the kind of action that keeps hunters coming back season after season. The combination of his local knowledge, the reliable 38 SACPAS platform, and access to prime hunting areas makes this a top-rated choice for serious waterfowlers. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, introducing family members to duck hunting, or just want to experience big water hunting at its finest, this hunt has everything you need. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so book early to secure your preferre