WESTERN BASIN-
Walleye fishing has slowed down, but limits are still being caught occasionally in the western basin. The best catches have come along the Canadian border from North Bass Island to Middle Sister Island. Trollers using spoons with Jet or Dipsy Divers have been most successful, with casters also catching fish on weapon-style lures. Fish have ranged from 16 to 23".

Yellow perch fishing in the western basin continues to be excellent. Best areas have included B and C cans along the north edge of the Perry firing range in 25 to 30 feet of water, W of Rattlesnake Island in 24 to 30 feet of water, SW and NW of Kelleys Island in 25 to 40 feet of water, and 1 to 3 miles N of the Toledo water intake. Spreaders tipped with shiners have been most productive for 7 to 11" fish.

For smallmouth bass try fishing Kelleys Island and nearshore areas around the Bass Islands and Marblehead. Tube jigs have been used to catch fish between 15 and 20". Largemouth Bass fishing continues to be good in East Harbor around thick beds of vegetation and in the harbor channel.

CENTRAL BASIN-
Walleye fishing in the central basin has been best in 7 to 8 miles NW of Lorain, 6 to 7 miles NE of Edgewater State Park in 54 to 61 feet of water, and 6 to 8 miles N of Ashtabula in 60 to 70 feet of water. Anglers have been trolling dipsy divers with spoons (most color schemes with copper, blue, watermelon, chartreuse or pink have been best) or crawler harnesses for fish from 15 to 28".

Yellow perch fishing is excellent in the central basin with some limit catches. Best areas have been within 2 miles of Huron, Vermilion and Lorain in 30 to 35 feet of water, 3 to 4 miles NW of Euclid Beach in 47 to 52 feet of water, 4 to 5 miles N of Edgewater State Park in 48 to 54 feet of water, 3 miles NW of Fairport Harbor in 52 feet of water, 3 to 4 miles N of Geneva in 55 to 60 feet of water, 3 to 4 miles N of Ashtabula and Conneaut in 55 to 62 feet of water. Spreaders tipped with shiners are taking fish from 8 to 11".

Smallmouth bass have been caught near Ruggles Reef. 14 to 18 inch fish have been caught on tube jigs and crankbaits.

Steelhead have been caught by trollers using dipsy divers with spoons 15 miles N of Wildwood St. Park in 75 feet of water and 6 to 8 miles N of Ashtabula in 60 to 70 feet of water. The steelhead have ranged in size from 20 to 28".

Reprinted with the permission of the ODNR.