Lake Erie Fishing Report for: June 1, 2000 Western Basin: Water temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit (taken at the Toledo Water Intake). Walleye action has been fair to good lately with a few limit catches reported. Walleyes are measuring 16 to 20 inches. Catches have been reported north of Niagara Reef, the Reef Complex, West Sister Island, A Can, between Crib Reef and South Bass Island, northeast and northwest of Kelleys Island, and the Toledo Shipping Channel near the Toledo Harbor Light. Anglers are using bottom bouncers and mayfly rigs, as well as trolling with deep diving lures. Smallmouth bass fishing remains excellent. The best areas are the Reef Complex area, Bass Islands, Kelleys Island, and nearshore off the Marblehead and Catawba areas. Anglers are reporting catches in the 14- to 18-inch range. Anglers are casting leaded jigs and tube jigs, or using live bait in 10 to 17 feet of water. Anglers are reminded of new daily limits for smallmouth bass of five fish per angler and a minimum size length of 14-inches. Yellow perch fishing is fair with best catches reported southwest of Green Island, between Rattlesnake and Middle Bass Islands, southeast and southwest of Kelleys Island, Marblehead/Catawba area, Sandusky Bay, and off Cedar Point, and Lorain. Anglers are reporting catches of perch in the 8- to 10-inch range. Anglers are using minnows fished near bottom. Central Basin: In the Central Basin, the water temperature is 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Smallmouth bass anglers are reporting very good catches east of Conneaut Harbor in 15 to 26 feet of water, near the Perry Nuclear plant discharge bubble in 25 feet of water, and in Geneva and Ashtabula Harbors in 15 to 25 feet of water. Smallmouth fishing is at its peak right now. Anglers should also try for smallies at the artificial reefs off Lorain and Cleveland, and along the shore east of Huron, west of Vermilion, Sherrod, Ruggles Reef, and west of Lorain, as well as along harbor breakwalls. Catches are measuring 14 to 16 inches. Anglers are drifting with jigs tipped with minnows, tube jigs or small spinners. Yellow perch fishing remains good with the hot spots reported as near the lighthouse off East 72nd Street in Cleveland in 20 to 30 feet of water, north of Conneaut Harbor in 30 to 40 feet of water, and north of Ashtabula in 30 to 40 feet of water. Anglers are using spreaders tipped with lake shiners or minnows. From shore, anglers are getting excellent catch of perch at the East 55th Street and East 72nd Street piers in Cleveland, and the Fairport Harbor pier. Anglers should take note that Ohio Resident Free Fishing Days will be observed June 3 and 4, in conjunction with the kick-off to National Fishing Week.
Source: ODNR
|