Labor Day Weekend Walleye Forecast 9/1
The Walleye fishing in Ohio waters of Lake Erie has been fantastic this year! This week however, we have had three consecutive days of NE winds at 25 knots causing 7ft waves and most of us have stayed at the dock since Monday of this week. The winds should die down by Sunday and Monday looks like a great fishing day. You may find the waters a bit stirred up after all this wind and wave action. Before the blow, several areas were producing great Walleye fishing. NW of West Reef off of North Bass island in 30+ ft of water was hot last weekend. Most were caught casting. The shallow waters around Kelley's Island, Middle and North Bass and Pelee island were also hot areas. Most fishing being done on reef structure with the fish being set up on up wind sides of the shallows. With the wind turning to west by Sunday, the fish might be a bit confused and still be on the eastern sides of the reefs. Only time will tell. The areas around Kelley's and Pelee islands might be the most stirred up after all this wind, so maybe looking around the Bass Islands or Hen and Chicken islands on the Ontario side might be the best be this weekend. Best lures for the Walleye have been Tiny Teasers in the 1/2 oz. size in the lemon/gold and gold shiner colors. Solid gold Teasers have also been working. Erie Dearies and Crooked Eye weight forwards have also been working. If you find yourself in muddy waters looking for Walleye, try bright colors like orange and chartreuse. In the deep water bite west of the islands, weapons with gold plated spinner blades with night crawlers have been working best for casters. Trollers have also been catching fish in this area, but there have been lots of floating weeds cut off from the east winds and from boaters in shallow water around the islands that has made trolling for Walleye in the western basin quite difficult. If you are looking to troll this weekend you might head east once the winds die down and look for clean water north of Vermilion and Huron, OH. I would stay offshore near the Sandbar might be a good bet.
Smallmouth
Lake Erie Smallmouth fishing remains spotty as the numbers of fish are just not there like we once had. There are still fish to be had however, and some Bass anglers have found some numbers of fish in the Pelee island area lately. Most of the fish have been in shallower water; from 6-15ft seems to be best this past week. The west side of Pelee has also produced a few Bass lately in the 22-26ft depth range. I strongly urge ALL Lake Erie Bass fishermen to practice catch and release until we can get the population problem under control. With the round Gobie having such a negative impact on the population, we need to practice conservation until we can find a solution.
Yellow Perch
Yellow Perch have been biting everywhere, but with the east wind causing lots of muddy water in the island area, I would look west of the Bass islands this weekend. Best areas have been from west of Green and Rattlesnake Islands in 32 ft of water and 3-4 miles East of Kelley's island in 38-42ft of water. You may have to move around this weekend to find the good bite on Perch. If it calms down on Monday, I would head NE of Kelley's island along the border where you might find some clean water and a good Perch Bite!
Steelhead
The Steelhead bite has been fantastic the whole month of August but the past week no one I know has been out there as the weather has been too rugged for a long run. If you are adventurous this weekend and want to try the Steelhead, Give us an email and I will try to get an update on what has been happening.
Good luck in all of your fishing adventures!
Capt. Bob Brown, Jr.