** The 15" walleye minimum size limit remains in effect for the entire season. The smallmouth and largemouth bass season opened on June 26. The daily bag limit for bass is 5 with a 14" minimum size limit.** Surface temperatures are around 70 degrees. Western Basin Walleye The best walleye fishing has been between West Sister Island and Middle Sister Island, and also from Middle Sister Island to Northwest Reef (W of North Bass Island). Drifting mayfly rigs and trolling spoons or worm harnesses produce the most fish. Walleye hatched in 2003 (ranging in size from 5 to 10 inches) are already being caught. Please handle these sub-legal fish as gently as possible and quickly return them to the water. Yellow Perch Yellow perch fishing has been best at Kelleys Island shoal, around Rattlesnake Island, and near the green buoy W of Catawba State Park. Fish just off the bottom using perch spreaders tipped with shiners. Smallmouth Bass The best smallmouth bass fishing has been around the Bass Islands, Kelleys Island and Sandusky Bay. Central Basin Walleye The best walleye fishing has been N of Lorain around the old trash dump, 10 to 12 miles N of Ashtabula in 70 feet of water, 1 to 3 miles N of the Chagrin River in 38 to 50 feet of water, and 3 to 4 miles W of Fairport Harbor in 35 to 45 feet of water. Trolling spoons or worm harnesses using divers or downriggers has produced the best catches. Yellow Perch Yellow perch fishing has been best within one mile of Lorain, 1 to 2 miles N of Cleveland in 30 to 40 feet of water, 2 to 3 miles N of Fairport Harbor in 30 to 40 feet of water, and 3 to 4 miles out from Ashtabula to Conneaut in 50 to 55 feet of water. A perch spreader tipped with shiners is the most popular set-up. Smallmouth Bass The best smallmouth bass fishing has been around Ruggles Reef and the shoreline and harbors in 15 to 30 feet of water from Fairport Harbor to Conneaut. Jigs tipped with shiners, tube jigs and crankbaits have been the most productive lures. Steelhead Steelhead have been caught occasionally by walleye anglers trolling spoons 8 to 9 miles N of the Chagrin River in 52 to 70 feet of water. Target areas with schools of baitfish where walleye are also being caught.
Source: ODNR
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