** The 15" walleye minimum size limit remains in effect for the entire
season. Anglers are reminded that the daily bag limit for trout and salmon
on Lake Erie and its tributaries is 2, beginning September 1 through May 15,
2005. The minimum size limit is 12 inches.** Surface temperatures are around 70 degrees. Western Basin Walleye
Walleye fishing is slowing down in the western basin; however, fish continue
to be caught NW of Rattlesnake Island 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, around the Turnaround Buoy
of the Toledo shipping channel, E of Ballast Island, 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, N of Vermilion in 40 to 44 feet of water, 10 to 12 miles N of
Ashtabula in 70 to 72 feet of water, and 7 to 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 3 miles N of Vermilion and Lorain, 3
miles NE of Fairport Harbor in 50 feet of water, 4 to 5 miles NE of
Cleveland in 40 to 52 feet of water, and 4 to 5 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. Tube jigs
have been the most productive lures. Steelhead
Steelhead have been caught by anglers trolling spoons 10 to 12 miles N of
Ashtabula in 70 to 72 feet of water and 7 to 8 miles NW of Conneaut in 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 or agitators with jigs
at Edgewater and the Cleveland lakefront in 30 to 50 feet of water.
Source: ODNR
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