Anglers' Report: Lake Erie Fishing Heats Up with Walleye, Perch, and Smallmouth Action

Good morning, anglers! Today is shaping up to be an exciting day for fishing in and around Lake Erie near Cleveland. Whether you’re venturing into the lake’s Central Basin or casting lines from nearby rivers and breakwalls, there’s plenty of action to look forward to.

The weather today in Cleveland started cool but will warm up to the mid-50s with partly sunny skies, moderate winds from the southwest, and no significant rain predicted. Sunrise occurred at 6:51 AM, and sunset will be at 8:01 PM, giving you ample daylight for fishing. The current water temperature in Lake Erie is hovering in the low 40s, and while the water remains a bit cool, activity is heating up for several species.

Steelhead fishing is still lingering in the tributaries like Rocky and Chagrin Rivers, though numbers are modest as the spring run winds down. With smallmouth bass actively moving into the rivers to spawn, you have a chance to score that sought-after “silver and bronze” combination by targeting both species. Jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms, crankbaits, and spinners are great choices for these conditions.

On Lake Erie itself, walleye and yellow perch are proving consistent for boat anglers. Walleye are responding well to Husky Jerks and other jerkbaits like the DHJ-12 in various colors. Jigging with Z-Man Minnows and jerk shads is also effective, along with trolling medium-sized spoons. Yellow perch are being caught in good numbers at depths of 50-60 feet, especially near Cleveland’s artificial reefs and breakwalls—live minnows rigged near the bottom are a go-to tactic.

For those looking to fish hotspots, the breakwalls along Cleveland Harbor, Edgewater Park, and E72nd Street have been hot locations for steelhead, smallmouth bass, and rock bass. Meanwhile, anglers seeking perch and walleye offshore should try near Ruggles Reef, Lorain, or Perry. If you prefer rivers, the Rocky and Chagrin Rivers remain strong options for smallmouth and steelhead.

Recent catches include steelhead in the 28-29 inch range during local tournaments, with plenty of smallmouth bass starting to show up in catches near the river mouths. Yellow perch have been abundant, especially in the Central Basin, with decent sizes reported.

As for bait, live minnows, waxworms, and nightcrawlers are versatile choices for various species. Meanwhile, artificial options like Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worms and drop-shot rigs continue to prove invaluable for smallmouth and walleye.

Wherever you decide to fish today, make sure to stay flexible and adjust tactics based on water clarity and conditions, which may vary with recent wind patterns. Tight lines and good luck out there!