Perch near Toledo: Ohio Lake Erie forecast July 25

Finally, some upbeat reports of perch in Lake Erie. And still plenty of walleye.
It’s looking like lovely weather for a fishing trip!
Here’s the full Lake Erie fish report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources:
Western Basin
Walleye
Where: The best bite has been
3 to 6 miles east of Kelleys Island, out of Huron and Vermillion in 28 to 32
feet of water, or Lorain in 45 to 55 feet of water. North and west of West
Sister Island near the Canadian line continues to provide some fish, but catch rates
are falling with the increasing water temperatures.
How: The majority of anglers
trolling are using spoons behind dipsy or jet divers, as well as crankbaits at
speeds of 2.5 to 3.0 mph. Anglers are also having success trolling worm
harnesses with in-line weights or bottom bouncers at 1.0 to 1.2 mph. Anglers
drifting worm harnesses or weight forward spinners are also having success.
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 as water temperatures have been increasing.
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.
Yellow Perch
Where: Anglers are starting to
turn their attention toward yellow perch with some good reports coming from the
Toledo Harbor Light in 20 to 25 feet of water.
How: Minnows fished under a
perch spreader continue to be the presentation of choice for perch anglers, but
consider trolling small crankbaits behind a bottom bouncer to locate active
fish in loose aggregations.
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 BasinWalleye
Where: Excellent fishing
continues in 40 to 55 feet of water north-northwest of Edgewater Park, in 35 to
55 feet of water north of Wildwood Park, in 40 to 55 feet of water
north-northwest of Fairport, and in 55 feet and deeper water north-northwest of
Geneva. Fish are suspended and anglers are targeting fishing depths of 15 to 40
feet.
How: Walleye have been caught
trolling using crankbaits or spoons with planer boards, dipsy and jet divers.
Anglers are also casting and drifting worm harnesses and weight forward
spinners. Try using bright colors including lemon, chartreuse, orange, green,
and pink and purple. Anglers fishing from shore are catching fish off the piers
in Cleveland using spinners and stick baits.
Smallmouth Bass
Where: Good fishing reported
in 17 to 22 feet of water 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 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.