Western Basin- No walleye fishing reports have been received in the past week. As temperatures drop, the potential to catch trophy walleye increases around Kelleys Island, the Bass Islands and Marblehead. Perch fishing in the in the last week has been best SW and E of Kelleys Island, around the Marblehead lighthouse, NE of Cedar Point, around the Toledo Shipping Channel Turnaround Buoy, near the Toledo water intake, and 2 miles N of the Metzger Marsh pier. Spreaders tipped with shiners have been most productive for 7 to 12" fish. For smallmouth bass try fishing Kelleys Island shoal, Gull Island shoal, and nearshore areas around the Bass Islands, Kelleys Island and Marblehead. Central Basin- The best walleye fishing in the central basin has been from Huron to Vermilion. Best areas have been 3 to 5 miles N of the Huron River mouth and 3 to 8 miles N of Cranberry Creek. Both trollers and casters are catching walleye from 17 to 30" with a few larger trophies. Trollers are catching fish on divers with spoons and casters are using weight forward spinners or drifting harnesses. Expect the walleye to move W as water temperatures drop. The best yellow perch fishing in the central basin has been within 1 to 3 miles of Vermilion, 4 miles N of Edgewater - Cleveland Crib in 50 feet of water, 1 to 3 miles N from Fairport Harbor to Conneaut in 35 to 50 feet of water. Spreaders tipped with shiners are taking fish from 8 to 12". Steelhead have been caught by trollers in harbors using with spoons and rapalas at Fairport Harbor and Conneaut. The steelhead have ranged in size from 16 to 28". Steelhead fishing has also been good on the Grand River from the short pier up to the Painesville dam, along with the Chagrin River and Conneaut Creek. Anglers are using Little Cleos, jigs tipped with maggots and egg (spawn) sacks. Check with local bait shops for up-to-date river conditions.
Source: ODNR
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