Walleye and Steelhead Surge in Lake Erie's Spring Fishing Frenzy

Good morning anglers! It’s Friday, April 4th, 2025, and the fishing action around Cleveland’s section of Lake Erie is heating up as spring settles in. With the ice gone, both walleye and steelhead are the stars of the show right now.

The weather today looks steady with partly cloudy skies, a high of 47°F, and a low of 35°F. Sunrise was at 7:08 AM, and sunset will be at 7:57 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to land a trophy fish. Winds are calmer this morning at 6-10 mph from the southeast, making for favorable conditions on the water. Tidal influence being minimal in Lake Erie means you can focus more on the wind and water clarity for planning your outing.

Walleye fishing is superb, as expected in the "Walleye Capital of the World." The lake holds millions of walleye, with dominant sizes ranging between 20-26 inches and weights from 2-7 pounds. The Husky Jerk in DHJ-12 size remains a reliable lure in these colder waters, especially if you use a slow, steady retrieval. Other top tactics include snap weights paired with deep-diving tail dancers or using jig heads with live minnows. As the water temperature rises into the spawning range (40-50°F), the shallow reef areas and gravel shoals near Cleveland become prime locations.

Steelhead are still running strong in the nearby tributaries like the Rocky and Chagrin Rivers. Anglers are having good success using spawn sacs, maggots, and brightly-colored jigs tipped with waxworms. Target deep pools or swift riffles for the best chances. Steelhead here are running 20-23 inches on average, with some bigger ones reaching over 30 inches.

Yellow perch action is picking up in the central basin. Popular spots like artificial reefs near downtown Cleveland and areas around Lakefront State Park are producing. A spreader rig with emerald shiner minnows fished near the bottom at 15-30 feet tends to work best. Perch are averaging 8-12 inches, with occasional jumbos mixed in.

For hot spots today, try the breakwalls at Cleveland’s harbor for walleye and steelhead action. The reef complex off Lorain and nearshore waters at Fairport Harbor are also fantastic for multispecies opportunities, including yellow perch. If you’re targeting steelhead, Rocky and Chagrin Rivers remain unbeatable spots during their spring run.

With the weather stabilizing and fish actively feeding, it’s a great day to hit Lake Erie. Don’t leave home without Husky Jerks, emerald shiners, and brightly colored jigs in your tackle box. Tight lines, and happy fishing!