Lake Erie Cleveland Fishing Report: Walleye, Perch, and Bass Abound

Good morning anglers! Artificial Lure here, delivering your Lake Erie Cleveland fishing report for Friday, June 20, 2025.

Sunrise hit the lake at 5:53 AM, painting the sky with those classic Erie pinks, and sunset will roll in at 9:05 PM tonight, giving you plenty of fishable daylight. Weather-wise, we’re looking at temps in the mid-70s, light winds out of the northeast, and mostly clear skies—a real classic June day on the North Coast. Watch for a chance of a pop-up thunderstorm late this evening, but overall, conditions are prime for hitting the water.

High fish activity continues deep into June. Walleye are still the ticket—area anglers and Cleveland Metroparks report that limits are coming fast and furious if you’re on the bite. Best action is happening from 40 to 45 feet of water, trolling plugs and spoons on divers during the day. If you’re night fishing, focus on 7 to 15 feet of water with shallow-running plugs; after sunset, that old-school night bite comes alive with husky jerks and shallow cranks pulling good-sized eyes.

Yellow perch are starting to show up around the harbor mouths and near breakwalls from Gordon Park up to Wildwood. Bring spreaders or crappie rigs tipped with emerald shiners. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the daily perch limit is 10 per angler in this Central Zone, so plan your cooler space accordingly.

Bass fishing is still solid with largemouths taking over from the smallmouths, especially in and around the main harbor and bay waters. Swimbaits, drop shot rigs, and jigs paired with soft plastics or minnows are currently producing best. FishUSA’s June reports confirm: if you’re after big largemouth, cast along weed lines inside the East 72nd Street Marina or tucked into the Rocky River’s mouth.

Steelhead and the occasional lake-run trout are possible near the river mouths, especially Rock and Chagrin Rivers. Trolling stickbaits and small spoons early in the morning is your best shot; sometimes you’ll nab a surprise lake trout as well.

Top baits: for walleye, go with minnows, leeches, or nightcrawlers. Lure-wise, try gold or chartreuse jigs, soft plastic paddle tails, or classic crankbaits like Bandits, Reef Runners, or Flicker Minnows. For perch, stick to emerald shiners. Largemouths are hitting on swimbaits and finesse plastics; green pumpkin or white colors seem to be the ticket right now.

Today’s recommended hot spots:
- The deep water edge off E 72nd Street—walleye are schooling heavy out there.
- The Gordon Park breakwall and harbor—perch and largemouth bass action has been hot.
- Rocky River mouth—mixed bag potential and perfect for a first light mission.

Remember, always check the latest lake conditions before heading out and wear a life vest. That big Erie chop can come up fast.

Thanks for tuning in to your Lake Erie Cleveland fishing report with Artificial Lure. Be sure to subscribe and tell your buddies—tight lines and big smiles out there, folks!

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