ODNR Fishing Report for 10/07/2009:

Article Posted: October 08, 2009

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** The daily bag limit for Lake Erie walleye is 6 fish per angler. The minimum size limit for walleye is 15”. **

** The daily bag limit for Lake Erie yellow perch is 25 fish per angler in waters west of the Huron pier. The limit will remain at 30 fish per angler in Ohio waters from Huron eastward. Any boats landing west of Huron, Ohio will be subject to the 25 fish daily bag limit, while boats landing at Huron or points east will be subject to a 30 fish daily bag limit. Shore-based anglers west of the Huron pier will be subject to a 25 fish daily bag limit, while those on the pier and eastward will remain at 30 fish daily. **

** The steelhead daily bag limit is 2 fish September 1 through May 15. The minimum size limit for steelhead is 12 inches. **

** The daily bag limit for Lake Erie black bass (largemouth and smallmouth) is 5 fish per angler. The minimum size limit is 14”. **

Western Basin

Walleye: There were very few walleye fishing reports from the western basin over the past week. Migratory walleye will return to the Kelleys and Bass Islands area as water temperatures drop. Expect fishing to improve in historical fall walleye areas within the next few weeks.

Yellow perch fishing remains good with the size of fish remaining mostly from 6 to 8” with a few up to 12”. The best areas have been the gravel pit W of West Sister Island, the Toledo water intake, around Niagara Reef, W of Green Island and Rattlesnake Island, Kelleys Island, around the Catawba green can, and off of Cedar Point. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.

Smallmouth Bass were reported from the western basin reefs, Middle Bass Island, North Bass Island, and Kelleys Island Shoal. Use crankbaits or tubes and goby imitators on drop shots for best results.

Central Basin

Excellent Walleye fishing was reported between Ruggles Reef and Vermilion in 35 to 40’ of water. There were no reports targeting walleye this past week from Cleveland to Conneaut due to the storms. The best spots to try are 14-16 miles northwest of Geneva in 72 feet, and 7-11 miles north-northwest of Ashtabula in 72 feet. Trollers have had success on deep diving crankbaits and worm harnesses with inline weights, along with dipsy or jet divers with spoons.

Yellow perch fishing has been very good when the weather permits in 28 feet northwest of Gordon Park, 38-42 feet north-northwest of Wildwood State Park, 45-50 feet northwest of Fairport, and 45-55 feet north-northwest of Conneaut. Perch spreaders or perch and crappie rigs with shiners fished as far up as 6 feet off the bottom have been producing the most fish.

Steelhead fishing from shore is picking up as fish begin to move up into the rivers and anglers are catching a few fish at the mouth and downstream locations in the Chagrin River, Grand River, Geneva State Park, Euclid Creek (Wildwood State Park), Conneaut Creek and along the Conneaut west breakwall. Shore anglers are using small spoons and jigs and maggots rigged with a split shot under a light bobber. For the most current steelhead information visit: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/FishingSubhomePage/fisheriesmanagementplaceholder/fishingfairportsteelhead/tabid/6166/Default.aspx

White Bass fishing has been good from the shore at the Eastlake CEI pier. Anglers are using agitators with blue and silver spoons and jigs tipped with twister tails. Fish range from 7-11 inches. Boat anglers watch for the gulls feeding on the surface - these are usually good spots to try for white bass which are also feeding on the same schools of emerald shiners.

Based on the nearshore forecast the water temperature is 57 degrees off of Toledo and 63 degrees off of Cleveland.


Source: ODNR






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