Lake Erie fish report Aug. 15
Summer fishing is wrapping up, which means you can start looking forward to fall, and the Fall Brawl.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty of fish to catch right now, while water temperature hovers around 76 degrees.
Here’s your Ohio Department of Natural Resources fish report.
Western Basin
Walleye
Where: The best bite has been
3 to 6 miles east of Kelleys Island, out of Huron and 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: The best reports are
coming from between South Bass and Kelleys Island in 25 to 30 feet of water
with many fish over 9 inches.
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 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.
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
continues in 50 to 65 feet of water north of Edgewater Park, in 55 to 65 feet
of water north of Wildwood Park, in 75 feet of water north-northeast of Geneva,
and in 70 to 75 feet of water north of Conneaut. Fish are suspended and anglers
are targeting fishing depths of 30 to 55 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.
Anglers are also casting and drifting worm harnesses and weight forward
spinners. Try using bright colors including yellow, green, and pink and purple.
Anglers fishing from shore are catching some 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.
The Lake Erie water temperature is 77 off Toledo and 76 off Cleveland according
to the nearshore marine forecast.