Lake Erie Fishing Report: Sept. 19, 2002 Western Basin - Lake Erie water temperature off Toledo is 70* F. Some good catches of walleye were being taken at many of the reefs in the Reef Complex, and the Kelleys Island area. Anglers are trolling with deep diving crank baits, spoons and drifting with weight-forward spinners, mayfly rigs, and bottom bouncers with worm harnesses tipped with nightcrawlers. Most fish are 18 to 22 inches with some larger fish. The legal bag limit for walleyes on Lake Erie and its tributaries is six fish from May through February. When the weather cooperates, yellow perch fishing has been excellent at many locations. Some good perch fishing locations include the Toledo Harbor light, Toledo water intake, the reef complex, Kelleys Island Shoal, Gull Island Shoal, Rattlesnake Island, Ballast Island, Starve Island, east of Marblehead Lighthouse and east of Kelleys Island. Perch catches are in the 7-1/2 to 11-inch range. Many anglers are sorting out smaller perch. Anglers are using perch spreaders tipped with minnows. The yellow perch bag limit is 30 perch per angler per day. Smallmouth Bass fishing has improved at the reef complex and the islands area. Anglers are using crayfish, shiners, tube jigs and spinner baits fished on or near the bottom. The size limit is 14 inches with a 5 fish per angler daily limit. Central Basin - Water temperature off Cleveland is 72*. Walleye fishing has been fair, north of Huron and Ruggles Reef at the Lorain Sand Bar, north of Ashtabula, 10 miles offshore in 68 to 72 feet of water and 10 miles northeast of Geneva in 70 feet of water. Anglers are using dipsy divers and downriggers with spoons in confusion, watermelon, green/white, blue/yellow and worm harnesses. Walleyes are measuring 15 to 28 inches. Perch fishing has been good off Huron, Vermilion, Lorain, Cleveland, Geneva and Conneaut, 2 to 4 miles offshore. Yellow perch are 8 to 13 inches long. Smallmouth Bass fishing has been good at the breakwalls of Fairport, Ashtabula and Conneaut using leeches, crayfish and small spinners.
Source: ODNR
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