Lake Erie Fishing Report: Oct. 10, 2002:

Western Basin - Lake Erie water temperature off Toledo is 61* F. A few
catches of walleye have been 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 very 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 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 68*. Walleye fishing has
been fair, north of Huron, 5 to 7 miles, Ruggles Reef and at the Lorain Sand
Bar. 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 5 miles offshore in
15 to 25 feet of water. 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