** 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.**
Water temperature is 65 degrees off Toledo and 67 degrees off Cleveland.Strong winds Friday thru Sunday (917- 9/19) led to poor fishing conditions
and muddy waters near-shore throughout this past weekend. With calm weather
predicted for the next few days, fishing conditions will improve throughout
the week.
Western Basin
Walleye
Walleye fishing has been best from west of Green Island north to the border,
including the northwest reef area. 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
The best fishing has been W of west reef near North Bass Island and around
"C" and "D" cans 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 near- shore. 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 SE of the sandbar, 8 to 10 miles N of
Ashtabula in 70 to 73 feet of water, and 10 miles NW of Conneaut in 70 feet
of water. Trolling worm harnesses using dispy divers and also trolling
crankbaits using wireline have produced the best catches.
Yellow Perch
Yellow perch fishing has been best within 2 miles of Lorain, E of the middle
of the sandbar, 2 to 3 miles N of Fairport Harbor in 50 feet of water, 3 to
4 miles N of Cleveland in 40 to 53 feet of water, and 3 miles N of Geneva in
50 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.
White Bass
White bass have been caught by anglers using shiners or agitators with jigs
along the Cleveland lakefront and Eastlake areas in 30 to 50 feet of water.
Source: ODNR
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