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Lake Erie Fishing Report: Sept. 26, 2002 Western Basin - Lake Erie water temperature off Toledo is 67* F. Some good
catches of walleye were being taken at many of the reefs in the Reef
Complex, and the Kelleys and 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.
When the weather cooperates, yellow perch fishing has been good 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 been good at the reef complex and the islands
area. Anglers are using crayfish, shiners, tube jigs and spinner baits
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 70*. Walleye fishing has
been fair, north of Huron, 5 to 7 miles, and Ruggles Reef at the Lorain Sand
Bar, north of Ashtabula, 10 - 12 miles offshore in 68 to 72 feet of water
and 10 miles northeast of Geneva in 70 feet of water. Anglers are using
dipsy divers and downriggers with spoons in confusion, watermelon,
green/white, blue/yellow and worm harnesses. Walleyes are measuring 15 to 28
inches. Perch fishing has been good off Huron, Vermilion, Lorain,
Cleveland, Geneva and Conneaut, 2 to 4 miles offshore. Yellow perch are 8
to 12 inches long.
Smallmouth Bass fishing has been good at the breakwalls of Fairport,
Ashtabula and Conneaut using leeches, crayfish jigs and small spinners.
Source: ODNR
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