ODNR WESTERN CENTRAL BASIN FISHING REPORT 9/25

Western Basin

Walleye fishing effort has dropped recently and there have been very few reports from the western basin.  As temperatures drop expect fishing to improve as migratory walleye return to the islands and also nearshore areas.  Trolling crankbaits behind planer boards is a popular method for catching fall walleye.

Yellow perch fishing was fair over the past week.  The best areas have been West Sister Island, “C” can of the Camp Perry firing range, West Reef and Northwest Reef (W of North Bass Island), W of Green and Rattlesnake islands, 1 mile SW of Kelleys Island, and S of Kelleys Island Shoal. Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.

Largemouth bass fishing continues to be good in harbors and nearshore areas around Catawba and Marblehead, and also in Sandusky Bay.

Central Basin

Walleye fishing continues to be excellent in 62-72’ of water NE of Ashtabula and in 68-72’ of water N of Conneaut.  Anglers are trolling wire line with white, pink, blue, yellow, orange, green and red stick baits.

Yellow perch fishing has been fair at the S end of the sandbar between Vermilion and Lorain.  Excellent fishing was reported in 42’ of water N of Rocky River, in 44’ of water N of Gordon Park, in 42’ of water NW of Fairport Harbor (south of the hump), in 45-52’ of water N of Ashtabula and in 42-68’ of water NE of Conneaut.  Spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.  Shore fishing off the Cleveland area piers has been slow.

Smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing has been good in 10 to 20’ of water around harbor areas in Cleveland, Fairport Harbor, Geneva, Ashtabula and Conneaut.  Anglers are using soft-craws and  leeches.

White Bass fishing has been hit and miss off the E. 55th St and E 72nd St Piers in Cleveland and the short and long piers in Fairport Harbor.  Evenings have been the best.  On the lake, look for gulls feeding on shiners at the surface; the white bass will be below.  Anglers are using agitators with jigs and small spoons.

Channel Catfish are being caught off the Edgewater and E 55 St piers in Cleveland and the short pier in Fairport harbor.  The evenings are best.  Anglers are using nightcrawlers.

Steelhead Trout are being caught off the short Pier in Fairport Harbor.  Anglers are using small spoons and jigs tipped with maggots. 

The water temperature is 63 degrees off of Toledo and 68 degrees off of Cleveland according to the nearshore marine forecast.

Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while boating.

WEST OF NORTH BASS KIDNEY AREA

Last Saturday fished west of the Islands due to strong north east winds. Started between Starve Island and Rattlesnake and had to move due to grass. A few marks but nothing great. Moved south of the Kidney and trolled south until we hit grass again. Pulled one walleye and turned back north. Few marks until we reached the Kidney and pulled two more walleyes with nice marks. Thought we would finish up here but more grass moved in and we never pulled another walleye. Great marks but we couldn't keep the grass off. All the fish were pulled on bare naked Barbie Reef Runners with two ounces and running 90 to 100 foot leads. The last three weeks the lake has been full of grass. Casters have been pulling some walleyes fishing in shallow water on the rocks. Reports from the Vermilion area show few walleyes being caught and fewer perch compared to last year. Waiting for the weather to stabilize we need less wind and no drastic temperature changes. The next 10 days look pretty good. Fishing Friday, Saturday and next Monday will update my website after the weekend. See you on the water!

EAST OF MIDDLE ISLAND LOADED WITH GRASS

Fished Saturday and after no fish casting weapons on gull shoal and Kelleys shoal we switched to Reef Runners along the Canadian line. Pulled two nice walleyes running Reef Runners with two ounce back 90 feet. Lots of good marks but the grass was so bad we stopped fishing and headed back to the dock. It was a nice day but no cooperation from the fish. Waiting for the grass to blow out. See you on the water!

SOUTH EAST OF PELEE SLOW SLOW AND SLOWER 9/9

Slowest day of the year and decided to just make it a half day trip. After the blow yesterday the fish were buried in the mud and the bite was non existent pulling only three fish in four hours. Pulled the fish on 90 foot leads on 40 Tru-Trips two on spoons and one from a harness. Weeds were also a problem. Things can only get better, next trip Saturday and Sunday. See you on the water!

FISH HURON WALLEYE CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT 9/5

Congratulations to Steve Carlson the director of the tournament, the field was full by 11:30 am yesterday only one hour and a half after the beginning of the registration time.  This only speaks to the good job the directors have done in the past tournaments.  Big Fish Tuff Tackle has sponsored BudManCharters in the tournament so we will be fishing come October 5, thanks go out to Dan Hyne. Good luck to all of the tournament fisherman it will be a great time. See you on the water!

EAST OF MIDDLE ISLAND SOUTH OF CANADIAN LINE

Slow fishing today after another late start. Set up and started fishing at 9:00 and had to stop fishing with two hours left on the trip. Pulled 21 walleyes and had to finally switch from harnesses and ran metal to catch an additional 13 walleyes. Ran mostly west to east and back both directions pulling fish. Best speed was 1.7 to 1.8 knots with leads of 55 to 60. Perch fishing reports were similar to walleye reports with the bite improving later in the day. Best perch report came from the Sandusky dump. See you on the water!