Lake Erie Wetern Basin

[Fishing Report]

Fishing effort directed towards walleye has greatly decreased as western basin anglers are switching to perch fishing. Some success has been reported on Kelleys and Gull Island shoals, in Ohio waters near Middle Island, and to a lesser extent around Rattlesnake Island and “F†can on the Canadian border. Drifters are using mayfly rigs or weight forward spinners, while most trollers are using worm harnesses or spoons with jet or dipsy divers.

Yellow perch fishing is improving in the Western Basin. Over the past week the Toledo water intake, C and D cans of the Camp Perry range, Niagara Reef, Rattlesnake Island, Lakeside, Cedar Point, and Kelleys Island have all produced some limit catches. Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish. Yellow perch are averaging 8" long.

Smallmouth bass should start moving shallower as water temperatures drop heading into fall. Fish rocky drop-offs and reefs around the Bass Islands and Kelleys Island along with nearshore areas from Catawba Island to Sandusky Bay to find active fish. Tube jigs and drop shot rigs with goby imitations are the most popular set-ups for smallmouth.