Lake Erie Fishing Report Aug 22 2025 - Walleye, Perch, Bass Biting Strong on Cleveland's North Coast

Good morning from the north coast—Artificial Lure here with your Friday Lake Erie fishing report for Cleveland and the surrounding waters, August 22, 2025.

Sunrise hit at 6:39 a.m. this morning, and expect sunset around 8:16 p.m. With dawn temps hovering in the low 70s and light northwest winds forecast through the afternoon, it's prime conditions to head out before the lake picks up any chop. The barometer is steady and humidity manageable, and the waters around Cleveland are sorting themselves out after a handful of scattered showers last night.

Lake Erie doesn’t have true ocean tides, but water levels do fluctuate slightly with wind and atmospheric pressure. Today, expect near-average water levels—nothing dramatic to worry about if you’re out launching early from Edgewater or the E. 55th St. marina.

Let’s get to the fish: Walleye action remains strong, with reports across the Cleveland basin showing good numbers coming in, especially in that 30–45 foot contour between Wildwood Park and Gordon Park. Most trollers are having success pulling spinner harnesses with nightcrawlers, though some are scoring big numbers with Silver Streak Spoons—top colors this week are green glow alewife and firetiger, as shown by Ross Robertson of Bigwater Fishing.

If you’re vertical jigging, try the mid-morning hours; early bites are hot but can turn finicky by midday. Fish are moving deeper as the sun rises, so don’t be afraid to work the bottom over the east-side reefs or along the shipping channel drop-offs.

Yellow perch bite is finally waking up too, with decent size limits being reported near the Cleveland crib and just off the break walls. According to Fishing Booker’s Port Clinton Guide, perch spreaders baited with emerald shiners are the go-to. Locals are hitting the daily legal limit—currently 30 fish per angler—especially in the first couple hours after sunrise.

Bass anglers, the rocky structure around the old break walls west of Edgewater and the harbor mouth near the Cuyahoga River remain hot. Smallmouths are hunting hard, with largest catches coming off live shiners, crayfish, or finesse plastics. Bearded Bass Lures poppers are getting results, too, especially at first and last light according to Jeff Beers’ recent report. The best artificial colors right now: natural shad and sexy shad patterns.

Don’t overlook the local sweet spots: Burke Lakefront Airport wall remains a nighttime favorite for mixed bags—walleye, white bass, and the odd sheepshead. For family-friendly action and easy access, the E. 72nd Street fishing area is buzzing, especially around dusk.

For those who want a change of pace or if Lake Erie gets rough, Wallace Lake out in Berea—part of Cleveland Metroparks—has decent largemouth bass and regular channel catfish stocked every May. Here, topwater baits near the weedbeds and drop shot rigs with live bait are pulling in solid numbers, especially early or late.

Reminder—check your bait shop for the freshest emerald shiners before you go. Nightcrawlers remain a sure bet for perch and walleye, especially on harnesses or spreaders, and for bigger bass, a lively shiner is tough to beat.

That’s it for today: Walleye and perch are active and accessible, bass are biting, and the weather’s prime for getting lines wet. Cleveland’s lakefront piers, reefs, and break walls are your best bets this weekend. Stay safe out there, tight lines, and if you get a good one, send a pic my way.

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