** The 15" walleye minimum size limit remains in effect for the entire season.** Surface temperatures are in the lower 70's. Western Basin Walleye The best walleye fishing has been in the area near the US/Canada border where "F" can was, and around Gull Island shoal between Kelleys Island and Middle Island. Drifting mayfly rigs and trolling spoons or worm harnesses produce the most fish. Walleye hatched in 2003 (ranging in size from 5 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 around Gull Island Shoal, between Marblehead and Kelleys Island, 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, 12 to 13 miles N-NE of Ashtabula in 70 to 72 feet of water, and 7 miles N of Conneaut in 68 to 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 Cleveland in 48 to 57 feet of water, 3 miles NW of Fairport Harbor in 47 to 50 feet of water, and 2 to 4 miles N of Conneaut in 45 to 52 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 14 to 16 miles N of Ashtabula in 70 to 74 feet of water and 12 to 15 miles N of Fairport Harbor 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.
Source: ODNR
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