Lake Erie Fishing Report: May 1, 2002 Western Basin: Lake Erie water temperature is 49* F off Toledo and Cleveland. Wind and rain events have hampered fishing activity on Lake Erie the past week. Prior to the high winds and muddied waters, fishing was good to excellent for walleyes, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass. Anglers are catching walleyes in the 16- to 18-inch range and larger. Some anglers are vertical jigging using leadhead jigs tipped with minnows and blade baits while others are using trolling methods. Trollers are taking the largest fish. Recent good spots include the Reef Complex, off Davis Besse and north of Kelleys Island to Middle Island. The legal bag limit for walleyes for Lake Erie and its tributaries is six fish from May through February. Perch fishing remains excellent with hot spots reported as off the Marblehead Lighthouse and the north side of Kelleys. Perch anglers are catching many limits of nice-sized perch in the 9- to 13-inch range using perch spreaders or crappie rigs tipped with minnows. The yellow perch bag limit is 30 perch per angler per day. Smallmouth bass fishing is good around the islands, particularly around North Bass. May is prime smallmouth season on Lake Erie. Bass anglers should also expect excellent fishing in the western basin reef complex, Sandusky Bay, Ruggles Reef, artificial reefs in the Lorain/Cleveland area and harbor breakwalls from Cleveland to Conneaut. Most catches will measure 14 to 18 inches. The legal limit for smallmouth bass is five fish per angler with a minimum length requirement of 14 inches. Central Basin Streams: Streams are coming down from recent higher flows and are generally moderate and stained. Streams like Mill, Arcola, and Paine creeks are relatively clear, but rain may muddy conditions locally. Peak runs are winding down, but some big fish continue to be caught. Fish can be found throughout the main rivers and tributaries, but will be concentrated in the lower portions of the creeks as they get ready to migrate back out to the lake. Stream steelhead anglers use spawn bags, jigs & maggots, minnows, or flies such as woolly buggers, weighted nymphs, egg patterns and streamers that imitate shiners. There are many public access areas on Ohio streams. If you are on private property, you must have landowner permission.
Source: ODNR
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