Fishing Lake Erie: Walleye, Perch, and Bass Bite Strong in Cleveland

Artificial Lure here with the Lake Erie Cleveland fishing report for August 6th, 2025.

It’s been a picture-perfect stretch on the North Coast. The lake’s rolled out a red carpet of calm—waves holding at 1 foot or less, clear skies overhead after a mix of sun and a few pop-up clouds earlier, and that light southeast breeze making it just about ideal for both shore anglers and boaters. Water off Cleveland sits at 66 degrees, a touch cool for midsummer but prime for that famous late summer bite, especially as we move toward evening. Sunrise hit at 6:22 am and sunset’s at 8:38 pm, giving us a long window for dragging lines and working structure.

The bite’s been strong all week, particularly for walleye. Locals are reporting steady limits coming from 30 to 40 feet of water east and west of the city, especially near Gordon Park and the Cleveland Crib, with another hot pocket around the 72nd Street boat launch and out toward the Euclid Wall. Most success has come trolling stickbaits—those in perch or clown pattern are out-fishing the rest, especially Fulks’ custom cranks and classic Bandits. If you’re after live bait action, nightcrawlers on harnesses remain a hefty producer when drifted across the drop-offs and shale humps. For those preferring a hands-on approach, jiggers are picking up fish off the points in the morning—try bright blade baits or a half-ounce jig tipped with a minnow.

Perch packs are building, though still scattered. The best hauls are coming off the bottom near Edgewater as well as off Wildwood. Emerald shiners on spreaders did the trick for one party boat bringing in a three-man limit before noon. Keep your baits close to the lakebed and stay on the move if you’re not getting pecks within ten minutes.

Smallmouth bass are cruising the rocky edges, with reports of 2- to 4-pounders released from breakwalls and harbors. Ned rigs in green pumpkin or simple tubes over riprap have been consistent. Early morning and late evening surface biter—popper or walking baits in shad color—brought out some real bruisers for the topwater crowd.

Catfish, as per usual, have been active around the river mouths, especially after sunset. Cut bait—like sucker or shad—cast near drop-offs put several 10-pound-plus channels on the bank, and one lucky kayaker near Whiskey Island reported wrestling in a flathead that nearly busted his net.

Weather for the remainder of the week is stable, with a ridge of high pressure holding over the lake—winds should stay under 10 knots, and waves won’t top 2 feet through Friday. Visibility’s excellent, so get those planer boards out or work the piers if you can’t launch. For tides, Lake Erie’s range is minor, just a few inches, but pay attention to wind direction—east winds can pile water and affect the bite, but tonight’s calm is your friend.

Best bets for lures today are anything natural: stickbaits in perch, shad, or firetiger; spinner harnesses with chartreuse or copper blades; and for the bass and cats, don’t ignore live bait—shiners, nightcrawlers, and fresh cut bait are producing.

If you’re looking for a place to set up, try Gordon Park’s outer wall for a multi-species bite or launch from 72nd and head due north for walleye schools. Shoreline folks, Wildwood Park’s piers and Wendy Park by the river mouth are seeing consistent action.

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