Lake Erie Fishing Report: Sept. 5, 2002:

Western Basin - Lake Erie water temperature off Toledo is 73* F. Some good
catches of walleye were being taken at many of the reefs in the Reef
Complex, Kelleys and the Bass Island area. Anglers are trolling with deep
diving crank baits, spoons and drifting with weight-forward spinners, mayfly
rigs, and bottom bouncers with worm harnesses tipped with nightcrawlers.
Most fish are 18 to 22 inches with some larger fish. The legal bag limit
for walleyes on Lake Erie and its tributaries is six fish from May through
February.
Yellow perch fishing has been excellent at many locations. Some good perch
fishing locations include the Toledo Harbor light, Toledo water intake, the
reef complex, Kelleys Island Shoal, Gull Island Shoal, Rattlesnake Island,
Ballast Island, Starve Island, east of Marblehead Lighthouse and east of
Kelleys Island. Perch catches are in the 7-1/2 to 11-inch range. Many
anglers are sorting out smaller perch. Anglers are using perch spreaders
tipped with minnows. The yellow perch bag limit is 30 perch per angler per
day.
Smallmouth Bass fishing has improved at the reef complex and the islands
area. Anglers are using crayfish, shiners, and tube jigs fished on or near
the bottom. The size limit is 14 inches with a 5 fish per angler daily
limit.

Central Basin - Water temperature off Cleveland is 73*. Walleye fishing has
been fair to good, north of Ruggles Reef at the Lorain Sand Bar, 6 to 9
miles north of Eastlake to Euclid in 60 to 69 feet of water, north of
Ashtabula, 10 to 15 miles offshore in 65 to 74 feet of water and 11 to 15
miles northeast of Geneva in 70 to 74 feet of water. Anglers are using
dipsy divers and planer boards with spoons in confusion, watermelon,
black/white, green/silver and worm harnesses. Trollers are also picking up
fair numbers of steelhead trout at the listed walleye locations. Walleyes
are measuring 15 to 28 inches and steelhead 22 to 29 inches. Perch fishing
has been good off Huron, Vermilion, Lorain, Fairport, Eastlake, Edgewater
State Park and Conneaut, 2 to 5 miles offshore. Yellow perch are 8 to 13
inches long.

Source: ODNR