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Lake Erie Fishing Report: May 9, 2002 Western Basin: Lake Erie water temperature is 52* F off Toledo and 47* off
Cleveland, and the water is off-color. Wind and rain events have hampered
fishing activity on Lake Erie the past week, but some fish are being caught
when anglers can get out on the lake. The best spots for walleye fishing
has been the north side of Kelleys Island to Middle Island, Niagara Reef,
off Davis Besse, and the "Triangle," (the area from the Toledo Harbor Light
to the outer buoys of the Toledo Shipping Channel to West Sister Island.)
Anglers are catching walleyes in the 16- to 18-inch range and larger
drifting bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses or jigs and minnows, and
trolling deep diving lures. The legal bag limit for walleyes for Lake Erie
and its tributaries is six fish from May through February.
Perch fishing remains excellent with hot spots reported off the
Marblehead Lighthouse and the north side of Kelleys. Perch anglers are
catching many limits of nice-sized perch in the 9- to 13-inch range using
perch spreaders or crappie rigs tipped with minnows. The yellow perch bag
limit is 30 perch per angler per day.
Smallmouth bass fishing is good around the islands, especially Kelleys
Island. Bass anglers should also expect excellent fishing in the western
basin reef complex, Sandusky Bay, Ruggles Reef, artificial reefs in the
Lorain/Cleveland area and harbor breakwalls from Cleveland to Conneaut.
Most catches will measure 14 to 18 inches. The legal limit for smallmouth
bass is five fish per angler with a minimum length requirement of 14 inches. Western Basin Streams: The Maumee River is 56* F and muddy. The water level
is average and anglers are able to wade to Blue Grass Island. Walleyes are
now scarce. Anglers are taking a few white bass and catfish using minnows
and night crawlers. Anglers fishing from boats seem to be catching more
fish. Best areas for both species are Buttonwood, Blue Grass Island, and
East of the bridge on the Lucas County side (White Street area).
The Sandusky River is 56* F and the water is slightly high and muddy.
Anglers are taking a few white bass using jigs or minnows. White bass
catches should improve, depending on the rain.
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