Cleveland Fishing Report: Walleye, Perch, and Bass Thrive in Lake Erie

Lake Erie, Cleveland Fishing Report – June 13, 2025

Good morning, fellow anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Erie and Cleveland fishing report for Friday, June 13th. Here’s what you need to know before heading out on the water.

Today’s sunrise came at 5:53 AM and you can expect sunset at 9:04 PM. The weather for the Cleveland waterfront is shaping up fair with partly cloudy skies, temps slowly climbing from the high 60s into the mid-70s through the day, and a light west wind making for a smooth ride early—but keep an eye out for the chance of bumps by late afternoon, as reported by FishUSA’s crew. Keep your weather apps close—out here, conditions can change quick.

Tides aren’t much of a factor on Erie, but water levels are holding steady and clarity is mostly good. That means it’s prime time to target multiple species.

Walleye fishing remains excellent right now. The daytime bite is strongest in 18-40 feet of water—start deeper as the sun rises, then look shallower after dusk. Most catches lately have been coming on deep-diving plugs and spoons, especially on divers. By nightfall, that hot walleye action slides into 7-15 feet; this is the time to troll shallow with stickbaits and crankbaits. According to both Cleveland Metroparks and FishUSA staff, targeting the city’s breakwalls and nearshore shoals with Bandits, Flicker Minnows, and Reef Runners is producing steady limits. Don’t forget, the Ohio daily bag is 6 walleye at a 15-inch minimum.

Yellow perch activity is starting to pick up too, particularly around the Cleveland artificial reefs and nearshore structure. Use crappie rigs or spreaders tipped with emerald shiners and focus on 20-35 feet of water. The daily limit in Cleveland’s Central Zone is 10 perch per angler—remember to check that regulation.

Bass are still going strong both in the harbor and along the Rocky and Chagrin river mouths. Drop shots and jigs with swimbaits are pulling in both largemouth and smallmouth, especially early or late in the day. The Ohio DNR reminds everyone the possession limit for black bass is 1 over 18 inches until June 21, so handle your catch with care.

Steelhead are lurking in the harbor mouths and river mouths, especially at first light. Try casting spoons, stickbaits, or drifting spawn under floats. Don’t be surprised if you run into a stray lake trout, too.

Hot spots today: Hit the Cleveland Harbor East and West Breakwalls for walleye and perch. Rocky River mouth is money for smallmouth, while the artificial reefs just off E. 72nd Street are great for mixed bags. If you’re looking for a change of scenery, Vermilion and Fairport Harbor both continue to kick out good numbers.

That’s the rundown for Lake Erie in Cleveland this June 13th. Thanks for tuning in—subscribe to stay up on the bite each week. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.