Cleveland's Walleye Bite Blazes as Lake Erie Heats Up for Summer Anglers

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie report for Saturday, August 9, 2025, coming to you from Cleveland! Anglers are waking to prime conditions: mostly sunny skies, air temps climbing to the high 70s by midday, and gentle south winds at 5–10 knots switching southeast late morning. The lake’s serene, with wave heights mostly a foot or less, maybe touching 2 feet if you drift a little farther out, so today’s shaping up to be classic summer fishing weather, perfect for anyone looking to get lines wet. The water off Cleveland is holding at about 66 degrees according to the National Weather Service Marine Forecast, and that cooler temp has the fish active in the early hours and again in the evening.

First light broke at 6:27 A.M. and you’ll get another shot just before 8:36 P.M. as the sunset colors Cleveland’s skyline. Get out early or plan on that prime time bite just before dusk—especially after a sunny day when the baitfish move in closer to shore.

Now, onto the action! Local charters report a blazing-hot walleye bite this week. The word on the docks—and check your favorite social media for the pics—is "quick limits.” Crews targeting that 40 to 50-foot range between Rocky River and Gordon Park have filled coolers fast, many catching their limits by mid-morning. Most are trolling with worm harnesses, crankbaits, or Bandits at 2 mph, but don’t overlook snap weight setups for suspended fish. For a hands-on approach, casting weight-forward spinners and jigging with blade baits are also producing, particularly near drop-offs and classic structure.

Alongside walleye, the white bass are pushing deeper—Zimmer Tackle reported they’re schoolin’ mostly off points and in deeper open water, with some moving into 30–35 foot zones as those temps nudge downward. Perch bite is spotty but picking up, especially out by the Cleveland Harbor breakwall and just east past the Edgewater piers; best bet is anchoring up with shiners on spreaders.

For bass chasers, artificial lures like the 5-inch pencil popper “Jowler” in shad or perch colors are drawing up aggressive smallmouth in the rocky shoals around the western end of the Cleveland Harbor. Fellow locals’ favorite—the floating soft-plastic Stealth Worm rigged for drop shot or shaky heads—has nabbed several solid largemouths and bronzebacks in weed edges and pockets near E. 72nd Street and around Whiskey Island. Glide baits and swimbaits, fished slow near rock piles or docks, have produced some exciting topwater explosions just after sunrise; don’t forget to pack both finesse and reaction baits to match the changing mood.

Top hot spots this morning:
- The stretch from Edgewater Park to Gordon Park—trolling at 38–45 FOW for walleye, perch on the bottom near rocky structure.
- E. 72nd Street marina mouth and north toward the crib—solid catch rates for smallmouth and mixed white bass, especially using jigging spoons or blade baits when fish are holding mid-column.
- Cleveland Harbor breakwall—best for targeting evening perch and some bonus sheepshead on live minnows.

Live bait’s always a winner, with emerald shiners and nightcrawlers still the go-to for all-around success. But artificial fans, don’t forget those swimbaits and drop shot worms—Lake Erie’s game fish have been hammering both today.

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