Western Basin
Walleye fishing slowed over the past week, but there was still good fishing around the western basin. The best fishing was around Niagara Reef, “D” can of the Camp Perry firing range, from Green Island to North Bass Island, and also north of Kelleys Island. The jigging bite is ending and most casters are switching over to may fly rigs or drifting bottom bouncers with worm harnesses. Trollers are catching fish on worm harnesses with inline weights or with crankbaits.

Yellow perch fishing has been best around Kelleys Island and between Marblehead and Kelleys Island. Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.

Central Basin
Walleye have been caught trolling nearshore between Huron and Lorain and nearshore in 10-25’ off Cleveland. Trollers are using crank baits, spoons and worm harnesses off planer boards and also flatline trolling. Fishing is picking up on the piers at Eastlake and Cleveland. The best times are in the evening and early morning.

Yellow perch fishing has been best in 40’ off Cleveland, Fairport and Ashtabula. Shore anglers have been catching fish off the Headlands Beach and Fairport piers on the Grand River and in Cleveland off the E 55th and E 72 st piers in Cleveland. Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good in 15 to 25’ around harbor areas in Fairport Harbor, Geneva, Ashtabula and Conneaut. Fish are being caught on soft-craws, jigs tipped with minnows, leeches, green and brown tube jigs, and by trolling crankbaits.

Based on the nearshore forecast the water temperature is 56 degrees off of Toledo and 52 degrees off of Cleveland.