Lake Erie Fishing Report: Smallmouth Surge, Walleye on the Rise as Spring Heats Up

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie, Cleveland fishing report for Friday, April 18, 2025.

We’re seeing classic mid-April conditions on the big pond and her tributaries. Sunrise is around 6:45 AM and sunset close to 8:05 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to chase bites. There’s no real “tide” on Lake Erie, but water levels have been steady and the rivers are in good shape with decent flow.

Weather’s been a bit up and down—typical spring in Ohio. Expect temps in the high 40s to low 60s with a stretch of overcast skies, scattered rain showers, and a touch of wind. Layer up but bring your rain gear just in case.

Fish activity is really heating up. The highlight right now is the excellent lake-run smallmouth bass action in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers, as well as along the Cleveland shoreline. Anglers have been landing plenty of smallies in the 18-20 inch range, and a few real bruisers topping 5 pounds have shown up this week. Tube jigs in olive or goby colors, Ned rigs, medium-sized crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are all working. Streamer flies that mimic minnows or gobies are taking fish too. Those targeting bass in the main lake should look for rocky structure and drop-offs in 15-35 feet of water, with live minnows, tube jigs, and drop-shot rigs all drawing strikes[1][8].

If smallmouth isn’t your thing, there are still a modest number of steelhead in the rivers and harbors. Some fresh fish are trickling in, but the run is winding down. Steelhead are averaging 26-29 inches—try drifting spawn sacks, minnow plugs, or 3-inch rubber worms[1][10]. On calmer days, you’ll pick up a few from the piers and breakwalls, especially early and late.

Lake Erie’s central basin has been producing decent catches of walleye and yellow perch. The night bite for walleye is picking up along the Cleveland breakwalls—Husky Jerks, deep-diving stickbaits, and Tail Dancer crankbaits have been hot. Planer boards help get lures out to where the fish are running shallow after dusk[3][7].

In the marinas and protected harbors, panfish and perch are showing up, and a few pike have been caught near the weeds and rocks. Small soft plastics and live minnows are your best bet for perch.

A couple of local hot spots you don’t want to miss:
- The mouth of the Rocky River and Edgewater Park breakwalls are on fire for smallmouth and walleye.
- The East 72nd-Gordon Park launch area is producing mixed bags for both boat and shore anglers, especially on dawn patrol or just before sunset[1][9].

In summary: now’s prime time for smallmouth, the last of the steelhead, and the start of the walleye run. Tie on a tube jig or toss a minnow-imitating crank, and hold on—Lake Erie’s spring action is just getting started. Good luck and tight lines.