** The 15" walleye minimum size limit remains in effect for the entire
season. Anglers are reminded that the daily bag limit for trout and salmon
on Lake Erie and its tributaries is 2, beginning September 1 through May 15,
2005. The minimum size limit is 12 inches.** Surface temperatures are around 70 degrees. Hurricane Frances brought high winds and rain to Lake Erie the week of
9/6/2004 resulting in muddy water in most areas for the weekend of 9/11 and
9/12. Fishing for most species was slow. The water is currently clearing
up and fishing is improving, but the track of hurricane Ivan will determine
fishing conditions for the weekend of 9/18. Western Basin Walleye
Walleye fishing has been best from west of Green Island north to the border,
including the northwest reef area. Drifting mayfly rigs and trolling spoons
or worm harnesses produce the most fish. Walleye hatched in 2003 are
already being caught; please handle these sub-legal fish as gently as
possible and quickly return them to the water. Yellow Perch
The best fishing has been W of west reef near North Bass Island and around
"C" and "D" cans of the Camp Perry firing range. Fish just off the bottom
using perch spreaders tipped with shiners. Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass fishing should improve as temperatures begin dropping and
fish move nearshore. The best smallmouth bass fishing has been around the
Bass Islands, Kelleys Island and Sandusky Bay. Central Basin Walleye
The best walleye fishing has been SE of the sandbar, 10 to 12 miles N of
Ashtabula in 72 to 73 feet of water, and 8 miles N of Conneaut in 70 feet of
water. Trolling spoons or worm harnesses using divers or downriggers and
also trolling crankbaits have produced the best catches. Yellow Perch
Yellow perch fishing has been best within 2 miles of Lorain, E of the middle
of the sandbar, 2 to 4 miles N-NE of Fairport Harbor in 42 to 59 feet of
water, 4 to 6 miles N of Cleveland in 48 to 60 feet of water, and 3 to 4
miles N of Conneaut in 53 feet of water. A perch spreader tipped with
shiners is the most popular set-up. Smallmouth Bass
The best smallmouth bass fishing has been around Ruggles Reef. Tube jigs
have been the most productive lures. Steelhead
Steelhead have been caught by anglers trolling spoons 10 to 12 miles N of
Ashtabula in 72 to 73 feet of water and 8 miles N of Conneaut in 70 feet of
water. Target areas with schools of baitfish where walleye are also being
caught. White Bass
White bass have been caught by anglers using shiners or agitators with jigs
at Edgewater and the Cleveland lakefront in 30 to 50 feet of water.
Source: ODNR
|