ODNR Lake Erie Fishing Report 8/20/03: OH

Article Posted: August 20, 2003

Brought to you by FishLakeErie.com


[ Return to Lake Erie Articles and News ]

Western Basin-

Walleye fishing has somewhat slowed, but limits are still being caught
occasionally in the western basin. The best catches have come along the
Canadian border from Middle Sister Island to Northwest Reef near North Bass
Island. Trollers using spoons with Jet or Dipsy Divers have been most
successful, with casters also catching fish on weapon-style lures. Fish have
ranged from 14 to 22".
Yellow perch fishing in the western basin continues to be excellent. Best
areas have included W of Green and Rattlesnake Islands in 25 to 30 feet of
water, SW and SE of Kelleys Island in 21 to 35 feet of water, and 1 to 3
miles N of the Toledo water intake. Spreaders tipped with shiners have been
most productive for 7 to 11" fish.
For smallmouth bass try fishing Kelleys Island and nearshore areas around
the Bass Islands and Marblehead. Tube jigs have been used to catch fish
between 15 and 20". Largemouth Bass fishing continues to be good in East
Harbor around thick beds of vegetation and in the harbor channel.

Central Basin-

Walleye fishing in the central basin has been best south of the sandbar 5
miles NW of Lorain, 8 to 10 miles N of the Chagrin River in 63 to 70 feet of
water, 15 to 20 miles NE of Geneva in 70 to 75 feet of water, and 7 to 12
miles N of Ashtabula in 70 to 75 feet of water. Anglers have been trolling
dipsy divers with spoons (most color schemes with copper, blue, watermelon,
chartreuse or pink have been best) or crawler harnesses for fish from 15 to
28".
Yellow perch fishing continues to improve in the central basin. Best areas
have been within 2 miles of Huron, Vermilion and Lorain in 30 to 35 feet of
water, 3 to 4 miles N of Edgewater St. Park in 43 to 48 feet of water, 2 to
4 miles N of Conneaut in 47 to 55 feet of water, and 3 to 4 miles N of
Geneva in 52 to 62 feet of water. Spreaders tipped with shiners are taking
fish from 7 to 11".
Smallmouth bass have been caught near Ruggles Reef. 14 to 18 inch fish have
been caught on tube jigs and crankbaits.
Steelhead have been caught by trollers using dipsy divers with spoons 20 to
22 miles N of Wildwood St. Park in 76 to 80 feet of water and 15 to 20 miles
NE of Geneva in 70 to 75 feet of water. The steelhead have ranged in size
from 20 to 28".


Source: ODNR






FishLakeErie.com is a Trademark of Great Lakes Angler Online All rights reserved
Copyrights © 2000 Great Lakes Angler Online  All rights reserved
GLAO.com