LAKE ERIE FORECAST Fishing information

YELLOW PERCH
The excellent perch fishing that anglers have experienced since the mid-1990s should continue through 2004. Fish from the excellent hatch in 2001 will enter into the fishery as 8- to 9-inch fish just in time for the peak season in August through October. Anglers also had some success fishing for yellow perch during nontraditional months of June and July this past year, especially in the central basin. However, fall is when the catch rates are the highest. Limit catches of large yellow perch should again be attainable during 2004. Ten- to 12-inch fish from the 1998 and 1999 hatches and a few Fish Ohio-size fish (more than 13 inches) from the 1996 hatch will be available. Conservative regulations for sport and commercial fishermen, coupled with improved spawning success, have helped Lake Erie's yellow perch stocks to gradually recover after low levels in the early 1990s. Ohio's daily bag limit for yellow perch remains at 30 fish per angler for the 2004 season.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Excellent smallmouth bass fishing exists in many Ohio areas of Lake Erie. Traditional "hot spots" such as the Lake Erie islands, the western basin reef complex, Sandusky Bay, Ruggles Reef, and harbor breakwalls from Lorain to Conneaut, all produce good numbers of smallmouth bass and also the potential to catch a trophy more than 5 pounds. In the spring of 2003, a smallmouth bass weighing slightly less than the state record of 9.5 pounds (caught in the Bass Islands area in 1993) was caught near Conneaut. Smallmouth bass anglers can expect to land "smallies" from 1993, 1994, 1998 and 1999-year classes, now ranging in size from 14 to 19 inches and weighing 1.5 to 4 pounds. New smallmouth bass regulations will take effect for the 2004 season. A closed season will be in effect from May 1 through June 26 to enhance reproduction. Fishing during the closed season will not be unlawful, but all black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) must be immediately released. The daily bag limit after June 26 will remain at five fish with a 14-inch minimum.
STEELHEAD TROUT
Anglers should look for peak steelhead action on the waters off Vermilion to Conneaut during June through August, with catches measuring 17 to 29 inches. The typical method for capturing steelhead in the open waters is depth-controlled trolling with downriggers or dipsy divers with spoons. Many charter guides now offer steelhead charters as an alternative to traditional walleye charters. Once Lake Erie's steelheads move into central basin streams in the fall, these feisty fish provide additional angling opportunities for wading anglers throughout the fall, winter and spring. The ODNR Division of Wildlife maintains this popular fishery by releasing approximately 400,000 steelhead trout each spring in the Vermilion, Rocky, Chagrin and Grand rivers, as well as Conneaut Creek. Fishing conditions on Lake Erie can change hourly. Adjusting fishing methods according to current conditions is the key to success. Anglers should take into account such factors as season, cloud cover, water clarity, boat traffic, wave action and amount of prey fish present. Electronic equipment to mark fish is helpful. Once a school of fish is located, anglers should try various techniques including drifting, trolling and jigging at various depths in the water column.