Lake Erie Heats Up: Walleye, Bass, and More on the Bite

Lake Erie’s Cleveland shoreline is firing on all cylinders this week, with classic early summer conditions bringing out the big bites. The day starts with a sunrise at 5:53 a.m. and winds down with sunset at 9:03 p.m., giving you ample daylight to get in on the action. Weather’s looking stable – expect partly cloudy skies and comfortable temps hovering in the upper 60s to low 70s, with a gentle west wind. Water clarity is fair but watch for a little chop rolling in midweek, so keep your eye on the forecast before heading out.

Walleye fishing is red-hot right now. According to Bigwater Fishing’s June 9 report, anglers are banging out solid numbers in 40-45 feet of water during the day. Most are pulling plugs and spoons on divers, while night owls are cashing in shallow (7-15 FOW) trolling stickbaits and shallow plugs. Limits are coming quick, so bring your best game and keep that 15-inch minimum size and six-fish daily bag in mind, per the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Don’t forget: if you’re fishing the Central Zone around Cleveland, check the daily yellow perch limit – it’s 10 fish there this season, but up to 30 in West and East Zones.

For those chasing bass, the bay and nearshore spots are producing both largemouth and smallmouth. FishUSA’s June 9 update confirms the bite’s still strong, with anglers landing good numbers tight to structure on drop-shot rigs, jigs tipped with swimbaits, and classic tube baits. Rocky and Chagrin rivers are also stacking up with lake-run smallmouth, making them prime targets for early morning or late afternoon sessions. You’ll want to work jerkbaits or blade baits off deeper edges, especially where shad schools are holding. And remember, the black bass rule is in effect now: just one fish per angler over 18 inches until June 21 – play it smart and release the rest.

Yellow perch are showing up in decent numbers around harbor mouths. ODNR says spreaders or crappie rigs with emerald shiners are your top bet for keeping a perch fry on the summer menu. Steelhead are another wildcard this week: nearshore and harbor mouth bites are being reported, mostly on stickbaits, small spoons, or drifting spawn under a float.

Best spots right now: try the Cleveland breakwall for walleye after dark, or hit the mouth of the Rocky River for bass and steelhead action. If you’re hunting perch, the crib off Edgewater and the East 72nd Street access are both worth a shot.

Top lures and baits in this window: For walleye, lean on trolling plugs, spoons, and harnesses; for bass, swimbaits, tubes, and jerkbaits are shining; for perch, emerald shiners are king. Steelhead chasers should throw small spoons and stickbaits.

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