ODNR Fishing Report for 07/21/2009:

** The daily bag limit for Lake Erie yellow perch is 25 fish per angler in waters west of the Huron pier. The limit will remain at 30 fish per angler in Ohio waters from Huron eastward. Any boats landing west of Huron, Ohio will be subject to the 25 fish daily bag limit, while boats landing at Huron or points east will be subject to a 30 fish daily bag limit. Shore-based anglers west of the Huron pier will be subject to a 25 fish daily bag limit, while those on the pier and eastward will remain at 30 fish daily. **

** From May 16 through August 31 the steelhead daily bag limit is 5 fish. The minimum size limit for steelhead is 12 inches. **

** The daily bag limit for Lake Erie black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) is 5 fish per angler. The minimum size limit is 14”. **

Western Basin

Walleye fishing was good during the week of 7/13 in the western basin. The best fishing was around West Sister Island, nearshore off of Crane Creek, around “K” can of the Camp Perry range, around Niagara Reef, W of West Reef, and on the Canadian line east of Kelleys Island. Drifters are using bottom bouncers with worm harnesses or are casting mayfly rigs. Trollers were catching fish on worm harnesses fished with inline weights or bottom bouncers, and also on spoons fished with dipsy divers or jet divers.

Yellow perch fishing reports were limited. Try traditional areas such as Green and Rattlesnake Islands, Marblehead, Kelleys Island, Ballast Island and Cedar Point. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.

Central Basin

Walleye fishing has been good in 25 to 30 feet of water from Huron to Lorain, 12 to 18 miles out in 65 to 73 feet north-northwest out of Edgewater State Park and north-northeast out of Wildwood State Park, 10- to 12 miles N out of Geneva and north-northwest out of Ashtabula at 70 to 74 feet. Trollers are using watermelon, green, yellow jacket, perch, orange, or pink worm harnesses and spoons, off of dipsy divers, or jet divers and planer boards. Anglers are fishing down 45 to 60 feet.

Yellow perch fishing has been very good in 40 to 45 feet north-northeast of Gordon Park and north-northwest of Edgewater Park, and 53 to 62 feet NNE of Ashtabula and north-northwest of Conneaut. Perch spreaders or perch and crappie rigs with shiners fished as far up as 6 feet off the bottom have been producing the most fish.

Steelhead are being caught by anglers trolling for walleye. The best location has been offshore of Fairport and in the Cleveland Hole in 70 to 78 feet while trolling using black and purple or silver and blue spoons.

Based on the nearshore marine forecast the water temperature is 70 off of Toledo and 71 off of Cleveland.

Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while boating.

Source: ODNR