Lake Erie Fishing Report: Walleye Limits, Smallmouth Bass, and Steelhead on the Rise

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the latest fishing news from Lake Erie, Cleveland, on this brisk Sunday, September 7, 2025.

Let’s start with the conditions: we’ve got **west winds around 10 to 15 knots**, going a bit stronger mid-day, but the skies are calling for **mostly sunny** and the **waves are gentle—1 to 3 feet**. The lake’s water temperature is sitting at a cozy **71 degrees off Cleveland**. Sunrise was at **6:56 a.m.**, and sunset’s coming at **7:49 p.m.** today. There’s a bit of a pressure trough hanging over the lake, so keep your eyes peeled for potential waterspouts this afternoon. The next few days promise stable weather and solid fishing windows according to the National Weather Service.

The bite remains strong for early September. According to the DEC’s Erie Fishing Hotline, folks are **pulling fast walleye limits all up and down the coast**. Most boats are reporting **over one walleye per hour**, especially from **65 to 80 feet of water off Cleveland and Catawba**, with others striking deep off Geneva and Lorain. Walleye are running both suspended and hugging the bottom, so don’t be shy about switching your presentations. Walleye action has been best on **Deep Divers, Dipseys rigged with spoons, and trusty worm harnesses** in pinks and purples. Lure color doesn’t seem to matter much—keep your speed around **1.8 to 2.0 mph**. If you’re itching to fill a cooler, these depths are your ticket.

**Smallmouth bass** action is reliable if you’re working **30 to 40 feet of water near structure**, especially around the old Cleveland Crib and Rocky River outflows. The locals recommend **drop-shot rigs with finesse plastics** and live shiners, with tube jigs and small swimbaits as solid backup. **Steelhead** are moving in off Dunkirk and headed toward Cleveland’s eastern harbors, holding in 100 to 140 feet. These fish have been taking spoons behind downriggers, and some have even been coaxed up by fast-trolling crankbaits early in the morning.

**Heavy perch schools** are showing around **Edgewater Park** and the **E. 72nd Street Marina**—use **emerald shiners on crappie rigs**, and you’ll be boxed out in no time. For a change-up, cast for freshwater drum near the breakwalls; cut bait or crawlers will do the trick.

Hot spots for today:

- **E. 72nd Street Marina:** Easy access and a perch goldmine when the bite switches on.
- **Rocky River mouth and Crib:** Bass are stacked around rock piles and ledges, especially in low light.

Bait shops are buzzing—pick up **live shiners** or **nightcrawlers** and get out early. If you’re trolling for walleye, **Dipseys with pink panties spoons** have been landing the big ones, as seen in recent Ohio Game Fishing reports, with some boats boasting their biggest at **27 inches** before breakfast.

To wrap it all up, conditions are prime, fish are biting, and the best baits are classic Lake Erie fare—spoons, harnesses, shiners, and tubes. Whether you’re chasing walleye limits or working for that trophy smallmouth or steelhead, Lake Erie’s north coast is the place.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake Erie, Cleveland fishing report—don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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