** The 15" walleye minimum size limit remains in effect for the entire
season.** Surface temperatures are around 70 degrees. Western Basin Walleye
Walleye fishing is slowing down in the western basin; however, fish continue
to be caught in the northwest reef area along the border and also 4 to 5
miles N of Crane Creek. Drifting mayfly rigs and trolling spoons or worm
harnesses produce the most fish. Walleye hatched in 2003 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 is improving in the western basin. The best fishing
has been W of west reef near North Bass Island, E of Ballast Island, around
the foghorn near Cedar Point, and around "C" can of the Camp Perry firing
range. Fish just off the bottom using perch spreaders tipped with shiners. Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass fishing should improve as temperatures begin dropping and
fish move nearshore. 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 along the east side of the
sandbar, 7 to 10 miles N of Ashtabula in 70 to 72 feet of water, and 8 miles
NW of Conneaut in 70 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 1 to 2 miles N of Vermilion and Lorain, 4
to 5 miles N of Eastlake in 40 to 52 feet of water, 3 miles NW of Fairport
Harbor in 47 to 50 feet of water, 4 to 5 miles N of Cleveland in 40 to 52
feet of water, and 4 miles N of Conneaut in 60 to 65 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 Avon
Point. Tube jigs have been the most productive lures. Steelhead
Steelhead have been caught by anglers trolling spoons 6 to 8 miles N-NW of
Ashtabula in 68 to 70 feet of water. Target areas with schools of baitfish
where walleye are also being caught. White Bass
White bass have been caught by anglers using shiners at Edgewater and the
Cleveland lakefront in 15 to 30 feet of water, and 4 to 5 miles N of
Cleveland in 48 to 57 feet of water.
Source: ODNR
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