Steelhead starting: Ohio Lake Erie fish report Sept. 13
Kick off the steelhead season with the annual Steelhead Expo at the Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Cleveland Metroparks will host the free day of expert speakers and seminars, vendors, and more. OCBS, a non-profit sportman’s group, is offering a raffle as a fundraiser.
Early steelhead first show up around off the rocks at Edgewater and East 55th Street Marina, Wildwood Park, and in the northernmost river sections by the lake, Cleveland Metroparks aquatic biologist Mike Durkalec writes in his weekly fishing report. Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are as good a bet for catching one.
Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the river, Durkalec writes. A dark olive or brown tube jig 3-4″ length is one of the best producers of bass in the river. “Smallies” also bite well on live bait (ie: minnow, crayfish, and leeches), lures (ie: spinners and minnow plugs), and flies (ie: crayfish patterns, Clouser minnows, dark brown or olive sculpin or muddler minnow patterns).
Also in the river? Channel catfish, carp, sheepshead and several sucker species, especially around the Emerald Necklace Marina.
Catfishing is usually best during lower light conditions and following a rain when the water is a bit murky, Durkalec writes. Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails. “For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing a nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a sinker.”
Here’s the full Ohio Department of Natural Resources fish report.
Western Basin
Walleye
Where: Walleye fishing has slowed. The best bites
have been 3 to 6 miles east of Kelleys Island, north of Cedar Point, and out of
Huron/Vermilion in 28 to 32 feet of water, or Lorain in 45 to 55 feet of water.
How: Most anglers are trolling spoons behind dipsy
or jet divers, as well as crankbaits at speeds of 2.5 to 3.0 mph.
Yellow Perch
Where: Yellow perch fishing has slowed, with only
a few reports coming in. Try traditional fall areas like between South Bass and
Kelleys islands and be prepared to move frequently to locate fish.
How: Vertical crappie rigs seems to be producing
well where baits can be presented at different depths up to 3 feet off the
bottom.
Largemouth Bass
Where: Largemouth bass fishing has been excellent
in various marinas and harbors in the Western Basin, as well as Sandusky Bay in
recent weeks.
How: Anglers have been doing well casting
crankbaits, jigs, and various soft plastic riggings including tubes, Texas
rigged worms, creature baits, and Ned rigs at shoreline structure.
Smallmouth Bass
Where: A few good reports of fish being caught
around the island areas in 10 to 14 feet of water, especially around Middle
Bass, Rattlesnake, and Kelleys islands.
How: Tubes and dropshots in rocky areas continue
to produce, but anglers have also been throwing spinnerbaits and swimbaits
around weed edges with some success.
Catfish
Where: The bite in Sandusky Bay continues to be
good, with many fish weighing over ten pounds. Shoreline access to the bay is
available at the old Route 2 bridge in Bay View and Port Clinton, the Dempsey
Fishing Access, and various locations in downtown Sandusky.
How: Anglers have been fishing the bottom with
shrimp, night crawlers, and cut bait.
Central Basin
Walleye
Where: Excellent fishing was reported in 65 to 70
feet of water north of Gordon Park, in 60 to 72 feet of water north of Wildwood
Park, in 20 to 30 feet and 70 to 75 feet of water north-northeast of Fairport
Harbor, in 70 to 73 feet of water north of Geneva, and in 65 to 75 feet of
water north of Lakeshore Park. Fish are suspended and anglers are targeting
fishing depths of 40 to 50 feet down in the water column above the thermocline.
How: Walleye have been caught trolling using
crankbaits or spoons with planer boards, dipsy and jet divers. Try using bright
colors including bronze, purple, red, and blue. Anglers fishing from shore are
catching some fish off the piers in Cleveland and Fairport Harbor using
spinners and stick baits.
Yellow Perch
Where: There have been a few reports of anglers catching perch
off Conneaut in 30 to 40 feet of water.
How: Anglers are using spreaders and crappie rigs
tipped with minnows. Try different depths near the bottom until you locate the
fish.
Smallmouth Bass
Where: Good fishing reported around harbor areas
and rock piles in Cleveland, Fairport Harbor, Geneva, Ashtabula, and Conneaut.
How: Anglers are using crank baits, tube jigs,
drop shot rigs tipped with night crawlers, golden shiners, leeches, and
crayfish.
Catfish
Where: Anglers are catching fish off the
Cleveland, Ashtabula, Conneaut, and Fairport Harbor piers.
How: Most anglers fish the bottom or drift with
baits on the bottom. Common baits include nightcrawlers, cut bait, and frozen
shrimp.
The Lake Erie water temperature is 70 off Toledo and 71 off Cleveland according
to the nearshore marine forecast.
