ODNR Fishing Report 9/24/03: OH

Article Posted: September 24, 2003

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*Recent winds have produced rough, hazardous conditions and also reduced water clarity in the western basin. Be sure to check the latest marine forecast for up-to-date lake conditions.*

Western Basin-

No walleye fishing reports have been received in the past week. If the weather stabilizes walleye fishing should improve in the Bass Islands area and in the area between Kelleys Island and the Huron River.

Perch fishing in the western basin has continued to be excellent when conditions have allowed. Best areas have included NW of Kelleys Island in 22 to 40 feet of water, between the Marblehead lighthouse and Kelleys Island, and the areas W of Green and Rattlesnake Islands. Spreaders tipped with shiners have been most productive for 7 to 13" fish.

For smallmouth bass try fishing Kelleys Island shoal, Gull Island shoal, and nearshore areas around the Bass Islands and Marblehead. Tube jigs and soft craws have been used to catch fish between 16 and 20".

Central Basin-

Walleye fishing in the central basin has been best E of the sandbar 4 to 5 miles NW of Lorain in 40 to 45 feet of water, 5 to 7 miles N of Vermilion in 40 to 45 feet of water, and 8 to 12 miles N of Geneva and Ashtabula in 70 feet of water. Anglers have been trolling dipsy divers with spoons (most color schemes with copper, blue, gold and fire tiger have been best) for fish from 16 to 28".

Yellow perch fishing continues to be excellent in the central basin. Best areas have been from Cranberry Creek to Vermilion in 30 to 35 feet of water, 1 to 2 miles E of Lorain in 30 to 35 feet of water, 3 to 4 miles N of Gordon Park in 43 to 50 feet of water, from Fairport to Conneaut in 48 to 62 feet of water, and 3 to 4 miles N of the Chagrin River in 41 to 46 feet of water. Spreaders tipped with shiners are taking fish from 8 to 12".

Smallmouth bass have been caught in harbor areas and along the shoreline in 19 to 30 feet of water near Conneaut, Ashtabula, Geneva, Fairport and Cleveland. 14 to 18 inch fish have been caught on green tube jigs, crankbaits, jigs tipped with shiners, and crayfish.

Steelhead have been caught by trollers using dipsy divers with spoons 8 to 12 miles N of Ashtabula and Geneva in 70 feet of water. The steelhead have ranged in size from 23 to 29". Steelhead are also beginning to show up at creek and river mouths.




Source: ODNR






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