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.