** The 15" walleye minimum size limit remains in effect for the entire season.** 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 the Toledo shipping channel near the 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 around the ruggles reef area, N of Lorain along the east side of the sandbar, 6 to 8 miles N-NW of Ashtabula in 68 to 70 feet of water, and 8 to 10 miles N of Conneaut in 70 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, 4 to 5 miles N of Eastlake in 48 to 52 feet of water, 3-4 miles NW of Fairport Harbor in 50 to 52 feet of water, and 5-6 miles N of Conneaut in 60 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 6 to 8 miles N-NW of Ashtabula in 68 to 70 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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