Your Western Basin Walleye Fishing Report

Covering Michigan waters & Toledo, Marblehead, Port Clinton, & Sandusky, and Huron Ohio Waters of Lake Erie

June 3, 1999
Bolles Harbor, MI  Area
Went right out of Bolles Habor to 22 feet of water then north and south
side of the shipping channel at Rasin river and then off Stony Point. We
drifted Pigmy, dragged bottom bouncers w/ crawler harnesses, and jigged
flipping harnesses. Ended up w/ 8 walleyes, 4 perch and a bunch of
sheephead.

June 1, 1999
West Sister Island Area
May 27- May-31

Fishing has been tough this spring. Over a five day period we had two
productive days.
May 27 on Toussaint Reef, took four large (21"+) walleye very early
pulling worm harness (gold). The rest of the day we had little to show
for. Lake was still stirred up
and dirty. May 28-29 very slow, calm weather and many boaters, took very
few fish, mostly small at "A" can and west to the Toledo intake in
14-18ft. May 30 fishing picked back up with some wind, using "marine
green & white" harness we took several walleye, perch, and white bass.
Nothing big. Saw several "large" walleye caught at Niagara and Round
reef, looked like red&white Erie Dearie was the primary lure. Hearld
alot of trollers were having luck north of "C" can. Mud-lines were
forming across the lake and water clarity improved alot.

May 30, 1999
West Sister Island Area
May 30, 1999

Started between West Sister and "A" can pulling bottom bouncers w/ crawlers
& Hot-n-Tots. Caught 4 eyes in 22- 24 ft of water in about 4 hrs. Around
luch time it started getting slow. Move to the West side of West sister in
about 28 - 30 ft water. Caught another 4 eyes on bottom bouncers, and
silver and blue Jr. thundersticks. Trolling between 1 to 2 mph.

The Okee Whaler

May 30, 1999
Ohio/Michigan Line
FISHED FRI. 28, SAT, AND SUN. CAUGHT 20 FRI. 17 SAT. AND 11 SUN. TROLLED
WIGGLE WARTS. HOT COLORS -- METALLIC RAINBOW, SILVER AND BLACK BACK, AND
SILVER WITH GREEN SCALE WITH RED LIP. FRI. HOT PINK AND PURPLE WORKED BUT NOT
SAT OR SUN. FISHED IN 21 TO 22 FT. BETWEEN E-BOUY AND HARBOUR LIGHT

May 30, 1999
Luna Pier, Michigan Area
My wife and I started trolling in 13 feet of water around noon on
Friday, May 28 in Michigan waters between Turtle Island and the
Consumers power plant south of Luna Pier using silver with chartruse or
green back hot-n-tots.  We boated our limit of 16-24 inch walleyes by
3:30 and threw back 2 undersize walleye and around 30 white bass.  There
were no other fisherman around all afternoon.  We had similar success on
Sunday afternoon with most of the fish coming in 14 feet of water using
the silver with green or blue striped hot-n-tots.

"Virgil"
 
 

May 30, 1999
Ruggles Reef Area
with the slow action in the western basin decide to go east today
off ruggles beach area picked up 7 walleyes drifting in 30 ft of water on a
20-25 count
3 of the eyes were Fish- Ohio's  also picked up a 25in steelhead
lost about 6 big eyes right at the boat before getting ready to net them spit
the hooks out  most fish were caught in the afternoon when we finally had
some wind
 

May 29, 1999
Reefs/Islands Area
5-28-99

Two of us put in at Catawba and went to the Niagara Reef area. With little or no wind we used an electric
trolling motor with auto pilot to simulate a drift. We used bottom bouncers with night crawler harnesses, and
bottom bouncers with floating Rapalas. We took 20 keepers between 19" and 27" with many throw backs. We
stayed away from the "Pack" as much as possible. The Gobys ran us out of night crawlers by noon and we
finished our limit with the floating Rapalas.
The Eye-Icer.

May 29, 1999
Reefs/Islands Area
In 4 1/2 hours had a few bites, only caught two perch and 1 white bass and
one sheephead. Was between Davis Besse and West Sister. Getting tired of
hearing fish stories of everybody catching limits.

May 28, 1999
Reefs/Islands Area
5-28-99
Started At 7:00AM, Mile south west of A can,  Caught A small walleye after second cast.  Finished at 12:00
pm  Baged One,   Drifted with bottom bouncers.
The waters were to calm and looked like creamed coffee.  Excelent day for cruisin the lake in small or large
craft.
Better Luck Next Time.
Rodan Reiter [email protected]

May 27, 1999
Bolles Harbor, MI Area
Captain Ron Dubsky of Ice Breaker ll charters reports from Bolles Harbor.
They are catching some nice Walleye at the South West end of the basin,
between turtle Island and the Toledo light house. Rebel crawdads (dark
colors) 40 to 60 feet behind the boards at a slow troll

Drifters are catching some good fish just north of E-buoy in 22 feet of
water.

Good catches of perch in the 10 to 12 inch size by sputnik, Remember the
Ohio limit on perch is 30.

The water level has not effected us, the ramps are fine just do not head
north as soon as you clear the harbor wait until you get to the outer buoy.

May 25, 1999
Western Basin Area
Fished May 22. Trolled the area west of the island on the Ohio-Michigan
border. We took 18 walleye on Deep Jr. Thundersticks and Rebel Deep Crawdads.
We also caught and released about 8 smallmouth which we caught in Brest Bay
on the same baits.

May 25, 1999
Niagara Reef Area
After bouncing around for most of the day on Saturday, without much success,
went out Sunday around Niagara where we tried pick some up trolling.  Still
very slow action, and didn't hear anybody bragging much over the airwaves.
Caught and kept seven in the 16 to 23 inch range, with two throwbacks, and
two or three which got off the line during retrieve.  Returned to base  on
Catawba Island, saw two charters unloading limits for each boat.  Said they
went way west of W. Sister, near the Ohio-Michigan line, but said they had to
work hard for them.  Don't believe they know what work is.
 

May 23, 1999
Western Basin Area
The walleye fishing has been generally SLOW this weekend.
Saturday and Sunday a few walleye were taken around the Island reef
dropoffs and in Sandusky Bay.
On Sunday numereous headboats were fishing Sandusky Bay, as
they were last year, but the action was very slow and a lot of Sheepshead
were being caught.
After the big rain storm hit at 6:30 pm action died and fishing came to
a close for the week.
The smallmouth bass were not biting either. Record tournament catches
like those of last year did not happen.
The weather will not be good early this coming week, but Thursday on could
get good if we don't get another NE wind. Keep fishing!

Whaler Fishing Team

May 23, 1999
Bolles Harbor Area
5/23 Out of Bolles Harbour and went north off Stony Point in 20-22 Ft.
of water drifting with bottom bouncers and crawlers. Worked our way SE
from there into 24' and did better.Ended the day with 25 fish and a few
perch.
 

May 23, 1999
Western Basin  Area
We got to the bait store just in time to watch it start pouring down
rain which didn't quit until around 10:00 A.M. We went out about 10
miles just west of port clinton, and the sheephead were hitting great,
if thats what you were fishing for you were in luck. But the walleye
were a different story. We started out using bottom bouncers for about
2 hours catching only 2 walleye. Than we switched over to erie dearies
and fished in about 15-20 feet of water for the rest of the day,
catching only 9 more walleye. The fishing was tough all day, and the
windy conditions along with the cool temperatures and the rain made it
a miserable day. After returning to the dock, I don't think we talked
to anyone who had much luck on Saturday.
May 23, 1999
Camp Perry  Area
Fished off the Camp Perry firing range on 05/22/99.  The weather was rough but we managed to land 27
walleye and get soaking wet.  We had a number of 3 and 4 pounders in the catch it turn out to be a good day

Jim
May 22, 1999
Bolles Harbor Area
Three of us on the "COUSY"  headed out of Bolles Harbor at 8:00 A.M.and
headed south. We observed a flotilla of approximately 22-25 boats west
of the Light House toward Breast Bay. We naturally altered course, and
headed toward them.We proceeded to drift fish with a sea anchor in the
midst of them. Lake conditions were terrible: cloudy water and rollers
near 5 feet, not conducive to comfortable fishing.  We've been on the
lake about 10 times this year and the electronic fish marking was far
below what we've seen on previous trips. After about  2 hours of
bouncing around using bottom bouncers,. lindy rigs, suspended bait on
slip bobbers at the depth of marked fish, , crawler harness and baited
jigs, we landed one silver bass, one very small sheepshead and a decent
perch. After about two hours the lake calmed nicely and  we put out the
planner boards loaded with various colors of Hot 'N Tots and Wiggle
Warts, same lack of luck.
Let it be known, we are not novices when it comes to Erie. We've been
very successful in past years but this spring is becoming frustrating. I
tend to doubt the veracity of some of the reports I've read about limit
catches and big walleye. If anyone has some "secret spot" or techniques
they'd like to share, we'd be most appreciative. Thanks, best regards
and good fishing to you all. Len-Dan and John

[email protected]
 

May 21, 1999
Western Basin area
Fishing was great @ A can . Started @ 7 and had limit in 2 1/2 hrs .
Fish ranged from 16 to 24. Caught them on Erie Dearies and bottom
bouncers.

May 20, 1999
Western Basin area
Fishing activity the past week as been excellent along with the better weather.  Walleye are in the 16-24 inch range.   Spinners and mayfly rigs with worms are producing good catches as are bottom bouncers with worms.  The best location has been west of green Island.  Other good locations include the reef complex area west of Port Clinton, A-Can, K-Can toward West Sister Island and the Toledo Shipping Channel.

Smallmouth Bass fishing is also excellent.  Smallies have been in the 12-17 inch range casting leaded-hair jigs and plastic worms.  Fish are being caught in 13-22 feet of water.  Best locations are the Bass islands area, Kelly's Island area and Ruggles Reef.

Boat anglers are advised of trap nets being set South Bass, Middle Bass and North Bass Islands through June in a  research project is being conducted by Ohio State Univ. and the Division of Wildlife.  Boaters should use extreme caution in these areas and be on the lookout for  black and yellow flags that mark these nets.

Anglers are still taking white bass on the Maumee river on white jigs in the 1/8-1/4 ounce size.  Best areas are Fort Meggs and west of the I-475 bridge.  Anglers are also taking some walleyes.

Anglers on the Sandusky River, anglers are catching Rock Bass and smallmouth bass using spinner baits.

In the Central Basin, smallmouth bass fishing is reported excellent off Cleveland's East 72nd street pier in 5-15 feet of water, Conneaut Harbor in 15-25 of water and off the Perry Power PLant discharge in 15-25 feet of water.  Smallmouth have been 14-18 inches.

Central basin anglers are taking waters by trolling spoons north of Cleveland in 48' of water.  Shore anglers are also taking walleyes at night from Cleveland piers at night.  Anglers are reporting white  perch catches from Fairport Harbor Pier and the Grand River using worms.
 

May 17, 1999
Western Basin area
just south of west sister island on Saturday, fishing was slow, but we
finally limited out in about 7 hrs.
fish ranged from 17-24 inches, with water dept about 24-30 ft. Used
weight-forward spinner, tipped with nightcrawler.We did land one 8.5 lb
mamma, good luck in 99!!!   5-15 and 5-16

                     NET GAIN, LAKEFRONT MARINA

May 17, 1999
Western Basin area
Fishing on May 15th and 16th was very good with a limit of 50 fish caught
between the Predator and Boscoe Too boats on Saturday, bottom bouncers with
crawler harness's or short floating Rapala's behind them worked well fishing
in 20 to 24 foot of water North of Crane Creek. Sunday was a little slower
with only 9 Walleye and one 7 lb. steelhead caught on the Predator by noon
fishing in the same area.
Dale on the Predator Boat
 

May 17, 1999
Western Basin area
Fishing report for May 16'th.

Fished a line from west of Green toward Niagara.  Trolled around the crowds
and boated a limit of 18 to 26in walleye.  Had best luck with Thunderstick
jr  deep divers.   The colors changed as the day progressed.  Started with
gold ended with black and chrome as the hot ones.

Mike Skiver
 

May 17, 1999
Western Basin area
May-16- 1999  Began
fishing about 1:00pm around A can between west sister island and Davis
Bessy power plant , inspite of      strong east winds and lots of other
boats, I manage to catch a limit of 10 walleye and a bonus catch of 5
jumbo perch in 4 hrs and 20 minutes---I was using bottom bouncers with
worm harnesses---but had my best luck with weight fwd spinners--tipped
with night crawlers---ILL let you guys figure out the
color.-----------------------------I f any one is interested in joining
a local bass club out of maumee--SEAWAY BASS ANGLERS--Contact me at my e
mail address [email protected]   and i will fill you in on the
details---all bass boat owners and non boat owners welcomed--must be at
least 18 yrs of age.

MIKE
 

May 17, 1999
Western Basin area
 

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, WE FISHED FOR 3 HOURS WEST OF RATTLESNAKE, CAUGHT 1
WALLEYE, 26" APPROX. 5LBS. ON SUNDAY WE WERE AMONG WHAT SEEMED LIKE A
THOUSAND BOATS IN THE REEF COMPLEX. WE CAUGHT 1 KEEPER WALLEYE, 1
THROWBACK. FISHED THIS AREA FROM 9 AM UNTIL 2PM; ONLY SAW 15-20 WALLEYE
CAUGHT AMONGST ALL OF THESE BOATS. PRETTY SLOW I WOULD SAY. HOPE IT GETS
BETTER.

GOOD AS IT GETS.

May 14, 1999
Western Basin area

Walleye fishing has been slow the past few days due to high winds and bad weather.  Fishing should be good the next few days with better weather in the forecast.  Walleye fishing is good when the weather permits.  Fish are measuring 16-24 inches.  Anglers are casting leaded jigs tipped with minnows and worms, using bottom bouncers with worms and using weighted spinners with worms..  Best locations are west of Green Island, the reef complex west of Port Clinton, A can, K can, L can and the Toledo Shipping Channel.

Smallmouth bass fishing is excellent.  Anglers are catching smallies in the 12-17 inch range casting leaded hair jigs and plastic worms.  Best locations include the Bass islands area, Kelly's Island area and Ruggles Reef.  Boat anglers are advised of trap nets being set South Bass, Middle Bass and North Bass Islands through June in a  research project is being conducted by Ohio State Univ. and the Division of Wildlife.  Boaters should use extreme caution in these areas and be on the lookout for  black and yellow flags that mark these nets.

The Maumee and Sandusky rivers are producing white bass in good numbers.  Anglers are using minnows and bobbers and some jigs.  Best locations are the downtown area of Fremont on the Sandusky river and from the mouth of the river to the dam on the Maumee river.

In the central basin, smallmouth bass fishing is reported excellent off Conneaut, Ashtabula, Geneva and off the Perry Nuclear plant discharge area in 15-25 feet of water. Fish are measuring 12-18 inches.  Anglers are drifting with jigs and tube-jigs and trolling crankbaits.

Some anglers are taking walleye from the Cleveland Piers at night using jigs.  Some white perch in th 7-9 inch range have been reported off the Fairport Harbor pier and Grand river using minnows and worms.
 

May 10, 1999
Western Basin area
Fishing has been fair to good the last few days.  Casting leaded jigs tipped with minnows and bottom bouncers tipped with worms are producing fish.  The best areas have been Maumee Bay, the Toledo Shipping channel, the Reef Complex area, which is A & L Can, west of Green Island and the Kelly's Island area.

Smallmouth bass activity has heated up the past week with some limit catches reported in the Bass Island area.  Casting leaded-hair jigs, plastic worms, scented baits and crayfish have all been producing good catches.  Boat anglers are advised of trap nets being set around South Bass, Middle Bass and North Bass Islands through June in a smallmouth bass tagging research  project being conducted by the Division of Wildlife and the Ohio State University.  Extreme caution is advised in travelling near these islands.

In the Maumee and Sandusky rivers, white bass are being taken in good numbers.  Fish are being caught using spinner baits and shiners floated near the surface.  Some small walleye are still being caught in the Maumee river.

In the Central Basin, smallmouth bass fishing is just heating up with catches reported around the Perry Plant water discharge in 15-25 feet of water..  Anglers are drifting jigs and tube jigs and trolling crankbaits.  Anglers were also trolling for walleyes off Cleveland off 52' of water using worm harnesses off the bottom. No success rates were reported.  Shore anglers are also reported some walleyes at night off of the Cleveland pier.

Steelhead fishing is still hanging on in the Grand River from the mouth of the river to the 535 bridge.  Anglers are trolling small spinners.  Some reports of white perch in the Grand River using minnows and worms.

May 9, 1999
Western Basin area
May 9/1999,Fished between turtle island and harbor light,tried it
all-weight fwds-drifted nightcrawler harnesses-trolled cranks only got 1
hit all day water still very cloudy---i heard south west of west sister
island was better,water is a little cleaner there.-------IF ANY ONE IS
INTERESTED IN JOINING A LOCAL BASS CLUB OUT OF MAUMEE--SEAWAY
BASS--CONTACT ME AT [email protected] AND ILL FILL YOU IN ON THE
DETAILS. BOATERS AND NONBOAT OWNERS WELCOME.

MIKE
 
 

May 5, 1999
Western Basin, Kelly's Island area
Fished May 1 and 2 on the back side of Kelly's Island between Kelly's and Middle Island.
Marked no fish in this region.  Decided to motor over to Marblehead Lighthous, and the
Sandusky Bay channel where we marked more fish then I've seen in a lifetime, the only problem
was we fished for 4 hours and caught absolutely no fish.  Hopefully we will all have better luck
in the weekend to come.  The fish are there but the water is ugly and their not biting.
Sincerely Erie Impulse, Sandusky Bay, Ohio.

May 5, 1999
Western Basin area
On Sunday May 2,1999 we trolled four colors of lead core with Deep Jr.
Thundersticks about a mile SE of " A " can on the firing range. Most of the
fish came right off the bottom in 23 feet of water. In two &1/2 hours we kept
16 fish from 18" to 24" only had one throw back. Good luck to all in 99'.

May 4, 1999
Western Basin/Bolles Harbor, MI area
Three of us headed out of Bolle's Harbor on the 26' "COUSY" about 8:00
A.M. Headed south toward the light house and then to Luna Pier area.
Water still cloudy but not like last week's muddy color. Like last week,
we marked many fish but no luck. After about an hour, we headed east
toward Breast Bay and continued to mark fish. Only luck we had in three
hours was two walleye just over legal length. The fish, however, had
some decent green color to them. We were using minnow jigs and crawler
harnesses. Fish caught drifting on the crawlers. Perhaps with the storm
front approaching, the fish will turn on.

Len at [email protected]
 
 

May 3, 1999
Western Basin/Turtle Creek Area
Fishing on May 1st and 2nd was excellent in 18 to 22 foot of water 3 to 4
miles straight out of Turtle Creek Channel. We caught a limit of 40 fish
both days with blade baits and crawler harness's on bottom bouncers. Fish
were very nice averaging 18 to 24 inches with one fish going 27 inches.
Dale on the Predator Boat
 

April 26, 1999
Western Basin/Islands Area

When weather permits, fishing continues to be good to excellent this Spring in the western basin.  Good locations reported include west of Green Island, the reef complex west of Port Clinton, an particular Locus Point and L Can, at the Toledo shipping channel at the mouth of the Maumee, in the areas between Kelly's Island and Middle Island and between North Bass Island and Middle Island.  Anglers are casting leaded jigs with minnows and using bottom bouncers and worm harnesses.  Many big fish are being taken and many limits have been reported, especially from charter boat captains.

The Maumee and Sandusky rivers are receding from swollen conditions after recent heavy rains.  However, the rivers still remain somewhat muddy.  On the Maumee (river temp 51 degrees), anglers were taking fair numbers of male walleyes in the 14-18 inch rains from Orleans to the Fort Meggs area.  On the Sandusky river (river temp 59 degrees) anglers are taking fair numbers of male and female walleyes in the 12-17 inch range in the downtown Fremont area.

April 26, 1999
Western Basin/Islands Area
We went out Sunday April 25 out of Cullen park in Point Place. Stared fishing
out at the harbor light trolling planer boards with thundersticks and
hot-n-tots. We headed toward Luna Pier. Water was very muddy. We marked some
fish but had no hook ups. We never saw another boat net a fish in the 3 hours
we were out. Oh well we'll try again next weekend. If anybody is having any
luck in this area please post a report. Mark and Matt from the N.E.Time
 

April 21, 1999
Western Basin/Islands Area
Wed 4-21 best results on border between Middle and Middle BAss, bottom
boouncer and suspended spinner rigs, Thurs 4-22 tried Davis Bessie too muddy
got one small fish on suspended spinner rig, tried Green/ Rattle Snake and
shute between south bass and green but even more muddy marked nice hooks on
/near bottom between S/B and Green but visability only 2 inch, got blown off
Fri 4-23 but would head to Kelly and try East side or north side look for
cleanest water troll crank baits or spinners. West of kelly if wind too hard
from the east to fish East or North side of Kelly's.
Chris Songer

April 19 & 20, 1999
Western Basin/Islands Area
WE MANAGED TO GET SOME NICE SIZE FISH IN THE TWO DAY TRIP TO LAKE ERIE
WESTERN BASIN. AFTER ENTERING THE LAKE FROM EAST HARBOR WE TOOK A NORTH
COURSE ABOUT 10 MILES NEAR THE CANADIAN BORDER. THE FIRST DAY THE THREE OF
US ONLY GOT 3 FISH BUT ONE OF THOSE BEING OVER 28 INCHES. THE SECOND DAY WE
GOT 7 FISH AND MOST OF THOSE BEING 6-8 POUNDS EACH. WE FISHED THE AREA JUST
NORTH OF MIDDLE BASS AND MIDDLE ISLAND ALMOST IN CANADA. THE WATER WAS
ABOUT 38 FEET DEEP AND NOT AS MUDDY.

CAPTIN JOHN

April 20, 1999
Western Basin/Islands Area
Rain, north winds, cool temperatures and muddy waters has slowed the fishing considerably the past week.  Anglers are jigging ice lures tipped with minnows and some are casating leaded jigs tipped with minnows and retrieving slowly.  Anglers have been successful in the Maumee Bay, nearshore between  David Besse Power Plant and Crane Creek State Park.  West of Green and Rattlesnake Islands and around the Bass and Kelly's Island.

Maumee river is 54 degrees, high and muddy.  Anglers are taking both male and female walleyes in the 15-22 inch range using Chartreuse, flourescent pink and white floating jigs w/sinkers.   Best areas are Buttonwood and Bluegrass Island to Orleans Park.  The outlook depends on the weather conditions.

Sandusky River is 59 degrees, high and muddy. Males and females 18-24 inches are being taken on red, orange and pink jigs.

Steelhead are still being caught in the Chagrin and Grand Rivers.  High river conditions from the rains have slowed the steelhead fishing.  Anglers are catching steelies with spawn sacs, jigs and maggots, jigs and minnows and also powerbaits.  Anglers are also catching walleye in the grand river on jigs.  Historically, this is the time when fishing for steelheads will begin to slow down in the rivers.

April 19, 1999
Turtle Creek Area
Fishing was slower on the 18th due to the cold front coming thru, the fish
were driven off the reefs, but fishing in 14 foot of water off of the
cooling tower was pretty good, we boated 23 eyes from 18 to 24 inches, all
fish were caught on silver or gold 1/2 ounce blade baits.
Dale from the Predator

April 19, 1999
Turtle Creek Area
After making our way to Ohio waters in the turtle creek area we found a cold front had moved in and slowed
fishing down on locus reef and outlined areas. We thought we were in for a slow weekend and we were right.
With temps in the high thirties in the morning to the foties in the afternoon with seas at a four foot average
things were slow. But all was not lost we did have remote success on 1/2 oz. jig heads with glow twister tails.
No limits this trip but we will be back.
W. Smith C.E.O. Walleye Willie Lures

April 10, 1999
Western Basin Area
Sunny skies and warmer temperatures has made the fishing conditions great the past several days.
Creel survey clerks are reporting limit catches for 20% of their surveyed fishermen.  Some anglers are jigging ice lures tipped w/minnows.  Others are casting  leaded jigs tipped with minnows and retrieving slowly.  Anglers have succesfful in the Maumee Bay, nearshore between the  David Besse Nuclear Plant and Crane Creek State park,  west of Green and Rattlesnake islands, and in the Bass and Kelly's Island areas.

The Maumee river is 52 degrees and extremely low.  Anglers are taking a few male walleye in the 15-22 inch range using chartreuse, florescent pink and white floating jigs with sinkers.  Best areas are  Buttonwood and Bluegrass Island.  Fish are being picked up in deeper holes too.  Outlook should be better this weekend and next week if it rains and the water levels come up some.

Sandusky River is 53 degrees and extremely low.  Only taking an occasional walleye.  Should get better if it rains.

Central basin rivers (Chagrin, Rocky River, and Grand) are in good condition for steelhead fishing.  Waters have cleared up from 1 inch of rain.  Anglers are catching steelhead with spawn sacs, jigs with minnows, jigs and maggots, and power baits.
 
 

April 10, 1999
Western Basin Area
fishing on the saginaw under the bridge at the end of the season was most
spectacular me and af freind caught our limit on tha last day 2 25inchers and
the others were 16 to 20 inches . the fish were every where . we snagged
about 30 fish, we cuoldnt help it they were everywhere.
            i hope to here from someone in your org. soon

                              ROBERT FREEBORN

April 9, 1999
Western Basin Area
My daughter and I fished around the Toussaint Reef area.  Beautiful
weather.  A cold front was going through and the wind had blown hard 2
days before.  Fishing was slow.  Lots of boats.  Saw some people catch a
few.  We got 1.  But, we saw large numbers of fish including many
lunkers on the fish finder suspended in 8 feet over 17 foot depths off
the edges of the reef.    ---- Spencer Myer
 

April 9, 1999
Western Basin Area
April 8th - The reefs 4 miles out are really working.  Followed the
April 3rd report and scored big.  Saw three other boats (non-charter)
with SEVERAL 7 pound and 50 to 60 nice sized jacks.  Round reef and
Touissiant were the best.  NE of Davis-Besse.  Out of turtle Creek
launch area.
 

April 9, 1999
Western Basin Area
There is good fishing in Maumee Bay. Yesterday I caught 10 fish, all
but two of them over five pounds. Three of them were almost ten pounds.
I had very little luck near or around the reefs so I fished in 27 to 28
feet of water outside the reefs. The fish were scattered so I trolled
VERY slow with Reef Runner Ripsticks. I found the best color to be
silver clown, and I ran them 110 feet back behind boards. The fish were
suspended and in an active mood. We caught fish even during midmorning
and early afternoon. It was the best fishing for big walleyes that I
have ever had. Good Luck to everyone from Chris Blough!!

April 6, 1999
Western Basin Area

Date: Saturday April 3rd
Location: Crib Reef
Bait: Blade lure with or without minnow
Method: throw ahead of drift, jig back to boat,til it gets 25 ft behind boat
,then recast.
fish pick it up while it lays on the bottom after fall.
Best depth:  15ft just before drop-off
I landed 14 very nice jacks and lost 2 times as many. Have been fishing
spring season for 15 years and these fish are the most healthy I have ever
seen this early! Somebody somewhere is definately doing something right!
Good Luck from RC - Orrville,Ohio Email; [email protected]

April 5, 1999
Western Basin Area
Wow!  What a weekend!  Several of us had the oppertunity to take some time off on April 1st, 2nd and 3rd
and do a little walleye fishing off of Davis-Besse.  With the light and gentle south wind and the water
temperature still cold, the big female walleye stayed in shallow and gave me my biggest catch ever!  In just 12
feet of water, I lured in a 31 3/4 inch 13 1/2 lb walleye using a chartruese head w/2-inch white jig body!  My
brother and I limited out before 1 pm and managed to net 4 pre-spawn and 1 spent females over 10 lbs, three
fish over 6 lbs and a several tasty 3 and 4-year old jacks around the 3lb range.
    By Saturday, all that had changed.  After several days of above 70 degree weather, the water warmed a
little and the big females were on the move towards the reafs near Niagra and Turtle.  Several nice catches
were found between the shallows and the reafs in 18-24 feet of water with a slower jig presentation.  The hot
color changed a little from a white tail to a chartruese tail w/black specks.  Should only be a few more days
before females are completely off reafs and jacks take over.  Good luck to ya and happy fishing!!!

April 3, 1999
Western Basin Area

Warmer temps and good weather has created great walleye fishing the past week.  Many boats now on the water. Anglers reporting some limit catches and lots of big fish.  Marblehead and further west betwee Davis Besse Nuclear Plant and Crane Creek state park fairly close to shore.  Also good has been west of Green and Rattlesnake Islands.

Maumee River Temp is 52 degrees and below normal level.  The river temp has risen 10 degrees in past few days and some spent females have been spotted.  This weekend will most likely be the peak of the walleye run. Anglers are taking large numbers of jacks in the deeper waters using chartr., floursescent pink and white twister tail jigs.

Best areas on the Maumee river are Buttonwood,  Bluegrass Island, the campground and the flats.  Also, some females are being taken around Fort Meggs.

Anglers are also flocking to downtown Fremont for the Spring walleye run on the Sandusky River.  River temp is 53 degrees and below normal level.  This week will be the peak of the run.  Some large females are being taken, but most are the smaller jack males.  Best times are early morning and late afternoon.

Steelhead trout fishing on central basin tributaries has been great the past two weeks with many spawning steelhead in the streams.  Anglers have been successful on the Chagrin, Rocky River, Grand Rivers, as well as Conneaut Creek.  Anglers are using spawn sacks, jigs tippedwith maggots and jigs tipped with minnows.

April 3, 1999
Western Basin Area
WALLEYE FISHING IN THE WESTERN BASIN IS OFF AND RUNNING. THIS PAST WEEK WEEK
OF WARM TEMPERATURES AND GENTLE WINDS HAVE EXCITED THE WALLEYE IN THE LAKE
AND FISHING HAS BEEN EXCELLENT. WE ARE CATCHING  PER-SPAWN POST SPAWN AND
SPAWNING WALLEYE IN THE 13 ft. To 17 ft. OF WATER USING JIG AND MINNOW WITH A
TWISTER TAIL. CHARTREUSE AND GREEN OR RED ACCENT COLOR HAS BEEN OUR FAVORITE.
GOOD FRIDAYS CATCH WAS BY FAR THE BEST EVER WEIGHING IN AT 173lbs FOR A 40
FISH LIMIT. IN THAT CATCH WE HAD 10 FISH THAT RANGED FROM 10.2 lb. TO 13.3
BLS, WOW WHAT HAWGS !! I PERSONALLY CAUGHT MY BIGGEST FISH AT 13.1 OZ AND 30
1/2 PRE SPAWNED. YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT WERE GOING TO MOUNT IT. TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THE EGREAT WALLEYE FISHING IN THE WESTERN BASIN OF LAKE ERIE, BRING YOUR
OWN BOAT OR BOOK A CHARTER. THIS WEB HAS A EXCELLENT CHOICE OF CHARTER
CAPTAINS. AT THE DOCK CAPTAIN RON LAMONT ABOARD THE "SUNCHASER"
 
 

April 2, 1999
Western Basin Area
Out yesterday and what a day!!! Started off foggy but turned into a
beautiful day. Lots of big females caught in 15 to 18 foot of water East
of Davis Bessie and Toussanit Reef areas. Using lead head jigs tipped
with orange or green twister tails and minnows. Aggressive jigging is
the secret. We caugh several over 12lbs. and the largest one was 30
inches! Good fishin'

March 30, 1999
Western Basin Area
The fishing was slow over the weekend.  Saw many people taken off the
water due to snagging.  Unlike other people they were biting for us in
the slackwater next to rapids.  We caught 10 fish.  Nine were jacks and
one was a 8.5 pound female, all legal.  Many more caught but released
due to snags.  Saw one person catch 8 in an hour's time with a floating
rig.  Popular colors were sparkle speck chartreuse and opaque
chartreuse.  Fish are biting but need to be lucky.  Few females were
seen.
 
 

March 29, 1999
Western Basin Area
the walleye are in the river thick,but not biting real well.  Between four of
us we had twenty fish landed, only five of which were legal.  Smaller jacks
being caught every now and then, and a lot of snagged fish being taken
illegally.  We  saw a few guys walk out with full stringers and knew they were
illegal.  So did the DNR that met the fellows at the road.  They got nailed
for ovet $500 in fines a piece and also lost there equipment.  With the warm
weather expected this week it looks like the end of the week will be peak time
so stay on top of things and don't miss out.
 

March 29, 1999
Western Basin Area
The run up Sandusky river is goin well. CAUGHT 2 nice jacks and turned
three snagged females loose. Spoke to a game warden on the flood wall he
was watching with spotting scope and had been isuing citations!!!
My boat will be in water soon, can't wait. [email protected]
Good fishing!

March 29, 1999
Western Basin Area
Some big walleyes are being caught in the Kelley's Island area. Most boaters are heading southeast of the
island but remember pack rats don't always score. Don't be afraid to move around. We have picked up five
fish in excess of ten pounds in two short trips. In two days 3/24 & 3/26, a two man tally is now at 21 and both
times the wind was from the N, NE. We also were off the lake before 1:00.
    Top baits were Swedish Pimples and Reef Runner Cicada's. While blue has been the best color fish have
also been netted on glo and chartreuse. Not everyone has found the same success. Remember to move often
until you find fish.

March 23, 1999
Western Basin Area

The walleye fishing is beginning. Boats off Marblehead Light house saw some
action this past weekend. Some nice size fish were boated. Sunday the wind made the waves rough, but
those few brave souls who fished saw their efforts
rewarded with a few fish.

The water is clearer near the lighthouse and catches should continue, weather
cooperating.

The Sandusky Bay is also seeing some walleyes taken around various bridges.
The Bay has been very muddy, but it looked like it was beginning to clear up on Tuesday. Clearer and warmer
water should get the walleye moving.

The Maumee River is experiencing some walleye runs as well. However, most fish
are being illegally snagged. Reports are of snaggers hauling out big fish. The ODNR has not had its officers
out in force to catch these criminals, but they soon will get caught.

Headboats are also going in the water in Port Clinton. Drawbridge Marina has three headboats in. Lakeland
and others are preparing their boats for launching.
A few bait stores are also open - Hi-Way Bait, Bay View and others.

This coming weekend the run should be on, weather permitting. Get your jigs
and spoons ready. Be sure to release those big walleye. They are our future.

Whaler Fishing Team

March 2, 1999
Western Basin Area

The walleye spawn run is just starting . A few 18 to 22 inch male jacks are
being caught at the Jerome road rapids site.  Water levels have increased
since the rains on saturday, which should help the spawn run. Water
temperatures at the Jerome road site was 42 degrees at surface on saturday.
                                                       Jim Knapp, Reporting
 

February 4th, 1999
Western Basin Area

Continued warm weather and rains have have all but finished what little ice-fishing there was this year on Erie.  There were only a few good days of it earlier this winter.

In the central basin, continuted high water as a result of heavy rains have prevented steelhead fishing activity on eastern Lake Erie tributaries.

Why not take in a Sport Show or two, while we patiently wait for better weather.

Upcoming Sport Shows
http://www.expoinc.com/othershw.html

** Eastlake Fishing Symposium on Feb. 13-14.  Call Lake County Visitors bureau 1 800 368-5253 for more information

** Pittsburgh/Monroeville, PA Sport & Travel Show, February 17th-21st

** Sportsmen's Show of Chicago, February 25th-February 28th.  Chicago, IL

** Spring Fever Outdoors show, Feb. 27th-28th, Porter County Fairgrounds Expo Center in Valparaiso, IN.

** North Coast Fly Fishers Conclave Sat. Feb. 27th 9am-4pm  at Lake County  Metroparks Penitentuary Glen

**  Detroit/Auburn Hills, MI  Sport & Travel Show.  March 4th-March 7th, Detroit, MI.

** Southtowns Sports Show, March 11-14th Hamburg, NY Fairgrounds

** Cleveland  Sports show March 13-21 at IX Center in Cleveland, OH
 
 

January 28th, 1999
Western Basin Area
Ice fisherman only got in a few days of good fishing before the recent rains warm weather shutdown the ice-fishing.   However there are still several weeks of winter to follow.  Just have to see what the weather does.

In the central basin, ice-jams and high water have prevented steelhead fishing activity on eastern Lake Erie tributaries.  This should change in the next few days as some of the smaller tributaries should be fishable.  The steelhead will be moving into shallower runs for spawning.

Up-coming Sports shows:

** Columbus sportfishing and travel show is Thursday-Sunday, Jan 28th - 31st at Veterans Memorial exhibit hall.  300 W. Broad street in Columbus.

** Eastlake Fishing Symposium on Feb. 13-14.  Call Lake County Visitors bureau 1 800 368-5253 for more information

** Pittsburgh/Monroeville, PA Sport & Travel Show, February 17th-21st

** Sportsmen's Show of Chicago, February 25th-February 28th.  Chicago, IL

** Spring Fever Outdoors show, Feb. 27th-28th, Porter County Fairgrounds Expo Center in Valparaiso, IN.

** North Coast Fly Fishers Conclave Sat. Feb. 27th 9am-4pm  at Lake County  Metroparks Penitentuary Glen

**  Detroit/Auburn Hills, MI  Sport & Travel Show.  March 4th-March 7th, Detroit, MI.

** Southtowns Sports Show, March 11-14th Hamburg, NY Fairgrounds

** Cleveland  Sports show March 13-21 at IX Center in Cleveland

Regular 1999 Fishing Reports will begin later this Spring