ODNR LAKE ERIE FISHING REPORT 10/9

Western Basin

Walleye fishing effort has been low 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 around West Sister Island, near the N end of the Toledo shipping channel, 9 miles out from the Toledo water intake, West Reef, W of Green and Rattlesnake islands, between Kelleys Island and Lakeside, NW of Kelleys Island, E of Kelleys Island, and off 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.  Some smallmouth bass have been reported around Kelleys Island. 

Central Basin

Walleye fishing is improving off of Huron, mostly 8 to 15 miles NE of the river.  The offshore dumping grounds SW of the weather buoy has produced big fish over the past week.  Worm harnesses with inline weights, or crankbaits with snap weights have produced the best catches.  Fishing continues to be excellent in 68-71’ of water N of Geneva and in 68-72’ of water NE of Ashtabula.  Some limit catches were reported this past week.  Anglers are trolling wire line with white, pink, blue, yellow, orange, green and red stick baits.

Yellow perch fishing has been fair 1 mile N of Beaver Creek, in 38’ of water N. of Lorain, and at the S end of the sandbar between Vermilion and Lorain.  Excellent fishing was reported in 38-40’ of water NE of Edgewater Park, in 42’ of water NW of Wildwood Park, in 44-53’ of water NW (the hump) of Fairport Harbor and in 44-55’ of water NE of Geneva.  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 crayfish and leeches.

White Bass fishing has been hit and miss off the E. 55th St and E 72nd St Piers in Cleveland and the long pier in Fairport Harbor.  Small fish are being caught off the Fairport Harbor pier.  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.

Steelhead Trout are being caught off the short Pier in Fairport Harbor and also in the river up to Vrooman Rd.  Anglers are using jigs tipped with maggots and small spoons. 

The water temperature is 64 degrees off of Toledo and 67 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