Western Basin
Walleye fishing was good in the western basin during the week of May 18. The best fishing continues to be around the island complex including N of North Bass Island, between South Bass Island and Kelleys Island, and N of Kelleys Island Shoal. Farther west the fishing has been good between Green Island and the Camp Perry firing range, N of West Sister Island, and around the gravel pit. Drifters are using bottom bouncers with worm harnesses or are casting mayfly rigs. Trollers were catching fish on crankbaits, worm harnesses fished with inline weights or bottom bouncers, and also on spoons fished with dipsy divers or jet divers.
Yellow perch fishing has been best off of Cedar Point and around Kelleys Island. Perch spreaders or crappie rigs with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.
Central Basin
Walleye have been caught trolling between Cranberry Creek and Vermilion in 30’ of water, near shore in 12-20’ off Rocky River, 40’ off Edgewater Park, 16-18’ off Chagrin River, 15-40’ off Fairport to Perry and 25’ off Conneaut. Trollers are using crankbaits, stick baits, spoons and worm harnesses off dipsy divers, planer boards and also flatline trolling. The best times are in the evening and early morning.
Yellow perch fishing has good off of the condos E of Vermilion, off the Lorain break wall, 35-41’ off Edgewater Park in Cleveland, 30-40’ off Fairport, 40-43’ off Geneva, and 35-55’ off Conneaut. Shore anglers have been catching fish off the Headlands Beach and Fairport piers on the Grand River and in Cleveland off the E 55th and E 72 St. piers in Cleveland. Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been very good in 10 to 25’ around harbor areas in Fairport Harbor, Geneva, Ashtabula and Conneaut. Fish are being caught on green or brown tube jigs, jigs tipped with minnows, leeches, and by trolling crankbaits.
Based on the nearshore marine forecast the water temperature is 62 off of Toledo and 55 off of Cleveland.
Anglers are encouraged to always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while boating.