Surface temperatures are around 70 degrees. Western Basin Walleye The best walleye fishing has been in the area near the US/Canada border where "F" can was, around Kelleys Island shoal, and near the Toledo shipping channel harbor light. Drifting mayfly rigs and trolling spoons or worm harnesses produce the most fish. Walleye hatched in 2003 (ranging in size from 6 to 10 inches) are already being caught. Please handle these sub-legal fish as gently as possible and quickly return them to the water. Yellow Perch Yellow perch fishing has been best from Ballast Island to Gull Island Shoal, and around "C" can of the Camp Perry firing range. Fish just off the bottom using perch spreaders tipped with shiners. Smallmouth Bass The best smallmouth bass fishing has been around the Bass Islands, Kelleys Island and Sandusky Bay. Central Basin Walleye The best walleye fishing has been N of Lorain along the east side of the sandbar, 10 to 12 miles N-NE of Ashtabula in 69 to 72 feet of water, and 8 to 10 miles NW of Conneaut in 70 to 72 feet of water. Trolling spoons or worm harnesses using divers or downriggers has produced the best catches. Yellow Perch Yellow perch fishing has been best 1 to 2 miles N of Vermilion, 3 to 5 miles NE of Cleveland in 40 to 50 feet of water, 3 miles NE of Fairport Harbor in 45 to 50 feet of water, and 3 miles N of Conneaut in 50 feet of water. A perch spreader tipped with shiners is the most popular set-up. Smallmouth Bass The best smallmouth bass fishing has been around Ruggles Reef and Avon Point. Tube jigs have been the most productive lures. Steelhead Steelhead have been caught by anglers trolling spoons 10 to 12 miles N-NE of Ashtabula in 69 to 72 feet of water and 12 to 15 miles N of the Chagrin River in 70 to 76 feet of water. Target areas with schools of baitfish where walleye are also being caught. White Bass White bass have been caught by anglers using shiners at Edgewater and the Cleveland lakefront in 15 to 30 feet of water, and 4 to 5 miles N of Cleveland in 48 to 57 feet of water.
Source: ODNR
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