Western Basin- Northeast winds over the past week have led to stained waters around most of the western basin. Walleye fishing has been best on the reef complex near Port Clinton, Clinton Reef west of Catawba, and Gull Island Shoal north of Kelley’s Island. Purple jigs are still producing some limit catches on the reef complex. In open water areas weight forward spinners or bottom bouncers with a worm harness and gold blade have been productive. The majority of walleye caught have ranged from 17 to 25”, with a few fish around 30”.

Yellow perch have been caught northwest of Kelley’s Island and around Clinton Reef west of Catawba. Spreaders tipped with shiners have been most productive for 8 to 11” fish.

Kelley’s Island and the Bass Islands have continued to be the best areas to catch smallmouth bass. Brown salted tube jigs and soft craws have been used to catch fish between 15 and 20”.

Central Basin- Smallmouth bass fishing has been best on Ruggles Reef near Vermilion and in nearshore breakwall and harbor areas near Lorain, Ashtabula and Conneaut. Fish measuring over 14” have been caught on tube jigs and jigs tipped with minnows.

Yellow perch are being caught within 2 to 3 miles of both Lorain and Ashtabula. Spreaders tipped with shiners are taking fish up to 13”.

Walleye have been caught around Ruggles Reef near Vermilion by trollers using jet divers and spoons. Fish have ranged from 18 to 30”.