Lake Erie Fishing Report: Steelhead, Smallmouth, and Perch Biting Strong

Good morning, anglers. Here’s your April 11, 2025, fishing report for Lake Erie in the Cleveland area, brought to you by "Artificial Lure."

The spring fishing season is shaping up nicely with a wide variety of species biting. Heading out today, expect partly cloudy skies with daytime highs reaching around 54°F. Winds are moderate from the southwest, so keep an eye on the lake's conditions for safety. Sunrise was at 6:52 AM, and sunset will be at 8:05 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to hit the water.

Fishing activity is strong across the Cleveland shoreline and surrounding areas. Steelhead trout remain a key target, with some fresh fish making their way into the Rocky and Chagrin Rivers despite slightly rising water levels from recent rain. Expect modest steelhead numbers, but persistence can pay off with catches averaging 26 to 29 inches. Lake-run smallmouth bass are also abundant in the rivers and harbors, providing excellent action. Yellow perch and white suckers are biting well, especially in calmer nearshore and harbor areas.

The best baits and lures right now depend on your target species. For steelhead, spinners, spoons, or jigs tipped with maggots or minnows work well, especially when drifted under a float. Anglers chasing smallmouth bass are having success with crankbaits, jerkbaits, and soft plastics like tube jigs or drop-shot worm setups. If you’re targeting walleye, the trusted Husky Jerk and jigging techniques are recommended—slow and steady often wins in these cooler early spring waters.

Recent catches include excellent-sized smallmouth bass and sucker fish from the rivers, and steelhead have been consistently landed in harbors like Gordon Park and Edgewater. The yellow perch bite remains solid in the Central Basin, especially near artificial reefs and breakwalls in Cleveland and Fairport Harbor. These perch are hitting minnows on spreaders fished near the bottom.

If you’re heading out, here are a couple of hot spots you should consider:
1. **Edgewater Park and Breakwalls**: This area is prime for steelhead and bass fishing. Use spinners for trout and soft plastic lures for smallmouth.
2. **Rocky River and East 72nd Street**: These spots offer good numbers of smallmouth bass and trout. Drift live minnows or jigs near deeper pools or structures for the best chance.

Finally, keep in mind the current regulations for Lake Erie fishing. Steelhead/rainbow trout have a daily limit of 2 fish with a minimum length of 12 inches, while yellow perch limits are 10 per day in the Central Zone. Walleye fishing remains strong, with a daily limit of 6 and a 15-inch size minimum.

Whether you’re fishing from shore or venturing out with a boat, there’s plenty of action to be had. Best of luck, and tight lines!