Western Basin Walleye Fishing Reports
for
May, 1999

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

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