Western Basin *High winds from Thursday October 6 through Tuesday October 11 severely limited fishing on Lake Erie. The following fishing report is from the previous week. It might take most of the week for the lake to calm down and clear up following the high winds. Western basin water temperatures have fallen into the lower 60’s.* Walleye Walleye fishing has remained slow with little targeted effort. A few walleye, mostly from the 2003 year class, have been caught by trolling spoons or worm harnesses around Gull Island shoal and Kelleys Island shoal. As water temperatures drop larger adult walleye will migrate back towards Kelleys Island, the Bass Islands, and the area around Marblehead and Lakeside. Yellow Perch Last week the best western basin perch areas included the Toledo water intake, the northern cans of the Camp Perry firing range, E of the Gull Island shoal buoy, S of “C” can of the Ontario border, E of the Kelleys Island airport, and S of Kelleys Island shoal. Most fish are still running on the small side, but larger fish (10-12”) are starting to appear in the catch. A perch spreader tipped with shiners is the most popular set-up. Central Basin *High winds from Thursday October 6 through Tuesday October 11 severely limited fishing on Lake Erie. The following fishing report is from the previous week. It might take most of the week for the lake to calm down and clear up following the high winds. Central basin water temperatures have fallen into the lower to mid 60’s.* Walleye Walleye fishing has been fair in Ohio waters of the central basin. The best areas were the northern end of the sandbar off Lorain, 7 to 9 miles N-NE of Ashtabula in 68 to 70’ of water, and 7 to 8 miles N-NE of Fairport Harbor in 65 to 70’ of water. Trolling 30 to 50 feet down with spoons or crawler harnesses, using planer boards, jet divers, or dipsy divers have produced the best catches. Fish have ranged from 15-24 inches. Yellow Perch Yellow perch fishing has been excellent 4 miles N of Wildwood State Park and Euclid in 51’ of water, 3 to 4 miles N of Ashtabula in 52’ of water, and 2 to 5 miles N between Eastlake and Fairport Harbor in 44 to 60’ of water. A perch spreader tipped with shiners is the most popular set-up. Fish have ranged from 7-13 inches. Steelhead Steelhead are starting to be caught by casting off of the Fairport Harbor pier, the Chagrin River and Euclid Creek with small spoons or spinners. Fish have ranged from 16 to 28”.
Source: ODNR
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