Walleye and Perch Dominate Late Summer Lake Erie Cleveland Fishing Report

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie Cleveland fishing report for Saturday, August 30th, 2025.

The lake is serving up classic late-summer conditions. Sunrise this morning came at 6:47 a.m., and we’re looking for sunset at 8:05 p.m. If you’re heading out, expect gentle northeast winds under 10 knots shifting southeast as the day rolls on, and waves 1 foot or less all day, according to the National Weather Service Cleveland. Surface temp remains a steady 73 degrees off the Cleveland shoreline—ideal for late-season action.

Tide reports for Lake Erie are minimal—she’s a freshwater inland sea, so only wind-driven “seiche” events apply. Today, the lake’s glassy and steady, perfect for launching early or staying late.

Recent catches around the Cleveland area have been outstanding. The folks at the Lake Erie Cleveland Daily Fishing Report and regulars at the docks agree: the **walleye and perch bite is still red hot**. Anglers are filling coolers with limits in just a few hours, especially near the Edgewater reefs, Gordon Park, and out near the 72nd Street launch. Walleye have been stacking up anywhere from 35 to 55 feet. You’ll want to troll deep-diving crankbaits—Bandits and Flicker Minnows are producing best, with purples and chartreuse on overcast mornings, and brighter pinks and firetiger flashing well in the sun.

**Perch** are schooling up, too. Hot spots include the crib off E. 72nd, and the perch packs off Wildwood and Bratenahl. Anglers are fingering emerald shiners on the bottom, with many reporting half-buckets by noon. Use drop-shot rigs with two-hook setups and keep your bait near that 30-35 foot mark.

Late August means whispers of the coming **steelhead** run. According to the Tribune Chronicle, the Shasta-strain steelhead are already staging on cool nights in the lower rivers and harbor mouths. If you’re targeting steel, hit the Rocky and Chagrin river mouths at dawn or dusk. Top lures are Little Cleos, KO Wobblers, and Shad Raps—silver and blue or chartreuse.

Anglers out for **smallmouth bass** are still catching solid numbers drifting tubes and Ned rigs along the rocky points by Wendy Park and under the harbor wall near the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Don’t overlook live crayfish or Gulp! bait, especially as we warm toward the afternoon. According to Salt Strong, classic soft-plastic jerkbaits and the old standby green pumpkin tubes are hard to beat.

Hotspots for this weekend:
- **72nd Street Launch/Breakwall:** Limits of walleye, steady perch action, and bonus smallmouth.
- **Edgewater Park Reefs:** Trollers getting walleye and the occasional steelhead staging for fall.
- **Wildwood Marina to Bratenahl:** Perch packs setting up—great for families or filling the cooler.

Bait shops along the shore have emerald shiners in stock, but supply is thinning with demand up—call ahead. Bring Little Cleos, Flicker Minnows, and some classic worm harnesses if you’re feeling old-school.

Weather-wise, today is made for fishing—clear skies, mild wind, and the last blush of summer. Fish are active early and late with the midday slowdown usual for this time of year. According to long-timers at the docks, “If you ain’t limited by lunch, you’re talking too much!”

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

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