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Lake Erie Fishing Report: May 1, 2002Lake Erie Fishing Report: May 1, 2002 Western Basin: Lake Erie water temperature is 49* F off Toledo and
Cleveland. Wind and rain events have hampered fishing activity on Lake Erie
the past week. Prior to the high winds and muddied waters, fishing was good
to excellent for walleyes, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass. Anglers are
catching walleyes in the 16- to 18-inch range and larger. Some anglers are
vertical jigging using leadhead jigs tipped with minnows and blade baits
while others are using trolling methods. Trollers are taking the largest
fish. Recent good spots include the Reef Complex, off Davis Besse and north
of Kelleys Island to Middle Island. The legal bag limit for walleyes for
Lake Erie and its tributaries is six fish from May through February.
Perch fishing remains excellent with hot spots reported as off the
Marblehead Lighthouse and the north side of Kelleys. Perch anglers are
catching many limits of nice-sized perch in the 9- to 13-inch range using
perch spreaders or crappie rigs tipped with minnows. The yellow perch bag
limit is 30 perch per angler per day.
Smallmouth bass fishing is good around the islands, particularly around
North Bass. May is prime smallmouth season on Lake Erie. Bass anglers
should also expect excellent fishing in the western basin reef complex,
Sandusky Bay, Ruggles Reef, artificial reefs in the Lorain/Cleveland area
and harbor breakwalls from Cleveland to Conneaut. Most catches will measure
14 to 18 inches. The legal limit for smallmouth bass is five fish per
angler with a minimum length requirement of 14 inches.
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