Lake Erie - Central Basin

[Fishing Report]

Walleye fishing in the central basin has been very good. Fish have been caught on the S end of the sandbar between Vermilion and Lorain, 8-10 miles out N of the Cleveland Crib in 60‘ of water, 12 miles N Eastlake in 68-70’ of water, 10 to 12 miles NW of Geneva in 70 to 72’ of water, and 10 to 12 miles N of Ashtabula in 70 to 72’ of water. Fish have been caught on worm harnesses or spoons colored in white/red, purple/black, copper, trolled with dipsy divers or jet divers off planer boards. Some anglers are also drifting worm harnesses. Fish are suspended and anglers are fishing down 35 to 50'.

Yellow perch fishing is improving in the central basin with good catches reported 1/2 to 2 miles off Vermilion, Lorain and Avon Pt., 4 miles N of Bratenahl in 39 feet of water, 4 miles N of Eastlake in 42’ of water, less than 2 miles NW of Fairport in 40 to 50’ of water, and less than 2 miles N of Ashtabula and Conneaut in 35 to 55’ of water. Fish have ranged from 7 to 11 inches. Perch rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been excellent on Ruggles Reef between Huron and Vermilion, and along the shoreline from Fairport Harbor to Conneaut in 15 to 29’ of water. Fish have been caught on goby color tube jigs, goby color drop shot rigs, jigs tipped with minnows or leeches, or by trolling crankbaits.

The best white bass fishing has been 1/2 mile N of Eastlake CEI power plant. Anglers are using agitators with white, yellow and green twister tails. Shore anglers are catching white bass at the Eastlake CEI, Mentor Headlands lighthouse, Wildwood State Park, Rocky River, Avon Lake and Lorain piers using agitators with white, yellow and green twister tails or small spoons.