Western Basin- Warmer temperatures along with southwest winds have greatly improved walleye fishing. Best areas have included Cone reef in the reef complex near Port Clinton, D can, and the area north of Kelley's Island to Middle Island. Limits have been caught by drifting or trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses with gold spinners. The majority of walleye caught have ranged from 18 to 25", with some fish over 30".

Yellow perch have been caught in the area between Marblehead and Kelley's Island. Spreaders tipped with shiners have been most productive for 7 to 10" fish.

Kelley's Island, the Bass Islands, and Sandusky Bay have produced the best smallmouth bass catches. 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 around Lorain, Conneaut, Ashtabula, Geneva, Fairport and Cleveland. Fish measuring over 15" have been caught on tube jigs and jigs tipped with shiners.

Yellow perch are being caught within 2 miles of Lorain, 2 to 3 miles northwest of the Chagrin River, 2 to 3 miles west of Ashtabula, and 2 to 3 miles north of Edgewater Park. Spreaders tipped with shiners are taking fish from 7 to 13".

Walleye have been caught around Ruggles Reef near Vermilion by trolling with jet divers and spoons or crankbaits, and also by casting weight forward spinners tipped with worms. Fish have ranged from 18 to 29".

Reprinted with the permission of the ODNR.