** 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 66 degrees. Western Basin Walleye
Most walleye fishing effort has shifted to the sandbar area between Huron
and Avon. As water temperatures drop shallow nearshore areas and reefs
around the Bass Islands and Kelleys Island will produce walleye. Troll
crankbaits or spoons during low light periods for best results. Yellow Perch
The best fishing has been W of west reef near North Bass Island, around
Niagara reef, on the gravel pit, near the Marblehead lighthouse, and near
"C" can of the international border NE of Kelleys Island. Fish just off the
bottom using perch spreaders tipped with shiners. Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass fishing has been improving as temperatures drop and fish
move nearshore. The best smallmouth bass fishing has been on the reefs of
the Camp Perry firing range, around the Bass Islands, Kelleys Island and
Sandusky Bay. Use tube jigs, drop shot rigs with goby imitations, soft
craws or shiners for best results. Central Basin Walleye
The best walleye fishing has been E of the N end of the sandbar, W of the N
end of the sandbar, around Ruggles reef between Huron and Vermilion, and 7
to 9 miles NE of Ashtabula in 68 to 70 feet of water. Trolling spoons or
worm harnesses using divers or downriggers and also trolling crankbaits have
produced the best catches. Yellow Perch
Yellow perch fishing has been best 2 miles NE of Lorain, E of the middle of
the sandbar, 1 to 2 miles N of Vermilion, 2 to 3 miles NW of Fairport Harbor
in 50 to 55 feet of water, 3 to 4 miles N of Cleveland in 40 to 52 feet of
water, and 4 miles N of Ashtabula in 55 to 60 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. Use
tube jigs, drop shot rigs with goby imitations, soft craws or shiners for
best results. Steelhead
Steelhead are beginning to show up in the rivers. Over the past weekend
fish were caught in Conneaut Creek up to the Rt. 7 bridge and in the Grand
River at the Fairport Harbor pier and Painesville Dam. Anglers are using
spawn sacs and jigs and maggots. 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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