** The 15" walleye minimum size limit remains in effect for the entire
season. Beginning May 1 the walleye daily bag limit on Ohio waters of
Lake Erie returned to 6 fish. On May 16 the trout and salmon bag limit
increased to 5 fish per day. The minimum size limit is 12 inches.** **From May 1 through Friday June 24 there is a no-possession season for
black bass (smallmouth bass and largemouth bass) on Lake Erie. Anglers
can legally target black bass, but they must be immediately returned to
the water.** Western Basin Walleye
The best walleye fishing has been W and NW of West Sister Island, W of
Rattlesnake Island, around Niagara reef of the Camp Perry firing range,
and E of Kelleys Island. Drifting or trolling worm harnesses and
trolling crankbaits or spoons produce the most fish. Yellow Perch
Yellow perch fishing has been best near the Marblehead lighthouse, near
Starve Island, near the Sandusky Bay foghorn, and E of Kelleys Island.
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. Largemouth bass have been caught in
Sandusky Bay, East Harbor and West Harbor. Central Basin Walleye
The best walleye fishing has been around Ruggles Reef E of Huron and
from Fairport Harbor to Perry in 15 to 25' of water. Trolling spoons,
crankbaits, or crawler harnesses, and drifting crawler harnesses have
produced the best catches. Yellow Perch
Yellow perch fishing has been best 1 to 2 miles N of the Vermilion River
mouth, 1 to 2 miles off of Lorain, 2 miles N of the E 72nd street
lighthouse of Cleveland in 40' of water, 2 miles N of Wildwood State
Park in 40' of water, and 1 to 2 miles out from Fairport Harbor to
Conneaut in 30 to 40' 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, on the
breakwalls and shoreline around Lorain, and the shoreline and harbors in
15 to 30 feet of water around Fairport, Geneva, Ashtabula and Conneaut.
Jigs tipped with shiners or leeches, tube jigs and crankbaits have been
the most productive lures. Lake Erie surface temperatures range from 55 to 63 degrees.
Source: ODNR
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