Lake Erie Fishing Report - Central Basin

[Fishing Report]

Walleye fishing in the central basin has been good. Fish have been caught three miles offshore from Vermilion to Lorain, five miles north of Cleveland in 52 to 58 feet of water, six miles north of the Wildwood State Park in 60 to 63 feet of water, two to three miles east of Fairport Harbor in 45 to 50 feet of water, and two to three miles west of Geneva in 45 to 50 feet of water. Fish have been caught on worm harnesses or spoons trolled with dipsy or jet divers. Fish are suspended and anglers are fishing down 20 to 40 feet.

Yellow perch fishing has been good less than one mile out of Lorain, two miles north of Willowick in 38 feet of water, three miles northeast of Eastlake in 32-40 feet of water, one mile north of Ashtabula in 35 feet of water, and one mile north of Conneaut in 35 feet of water. Fish have ranged from seven to 11 inches in length. Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish. Shore anglers are catching yellow perch at the west pier along the Black River in Lorain, the East 55th St. piers in Cleveland, Mentor Headlands and Fairport Harbor. Anglers are using spreaders with shiners.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been excellent from Fairport Harbor to Perry in 10 to 24 feet of water. Fish have been caught on tube jigs, jigs tipped with minnows or leeches, or by trolling crankbaits.

White bass fishing has been good one quarter mile north of the Eastlake CEI power plant. Anglers are using agitators with white jigs.

Shore anglers are catching white bass at the Eastlake CEI pier using agitators with white/yellow twister tails and small spoons.

Lake Erie surface temperatures range from 68 to 70 degrees.