Lake Erie Central Basin

[Fishing Report]

Walleye fishing in the central basin has also slowed down with anglers switching over to perch. A few walleye have been taken at the N end of the sand bar between Vermilion and Lorain, 7-9 miles NE of Geneva in 60-70‘of water and 7-9 miles NW of Ashtabula in 60 to 70’ of water. Fish have been caught on worm harnesses trolled with dipsy divers. Fish are suspended and anglers are fishing down 35 to 50'.

Yellow perch fishing is excellent in the central basin from 1-3 miles N of Huron to Lorain, 4 miles N of Euclid in 49’ of water, 2 miles NE of Rocky River in 38' of water, 2-3 miles N -NW of Fairport in 51’ of water, and 2 miles N of Ashtabula 45’ of water. Fish have ranged from 7 to 11 inches. Perch rigs with shiners fished near the bottom have produced the most fish.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been excellent along the shoreline from Fairport Harbor to Conneaut in 15 to 25’ 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.

Steelhead are beginning to move up into the rivers and creeks and anglers are catching fish in the Rocky River, Chagrin River, Grand River, Geneva State Park, Conneaut Creek and along the Conneaut west breakwall. Shore anglers are using small spinners and spoons, and jigs rigged with a split shot under a light bobber.

[dbaumgardner]

Yellow perch fishing is excellent in the central basin from 2-3 miles N -NW of Fairport in 51’ of water, and 2-3 miles N of 72 nd street in 52-54' of water. Chagrin Bait and Tackle does an excellent job and is reasonably priced at approximately $36 per 90 perch to have cleaned. The lady that does the cleaning is fast and customer service oriented. I tried Grand River Bait & Tackle last week and they charged $70.21 per 90 perch which I feel is way too high.

[shu9265]

That's about right, I was also at Grand River Tackle.

Bruce has a sign posted with fish cleaning prices:

Perch are $1.25 per pound live weight!