The windy weather has been a major problem for both Lake Erie and inland fishermen. Lake Erie’s shoreline waters, which had been giving up good numbers of yellow perch and walleye, have been plagued by big waves and dingy water.
The steelhead trout fishing could improve this weekend, as the Northeast Ohio streams continue to clear a bit. The windy weather has been a major problem for both Lake Erie and inland fishermen. Lake Erie’s shoreline waters, which had been giving up good numbers of yellow perch and walleye, have been plagued by big waves and dingy water. The big winds are also a problem for inland lake fishermen, and steelhead fishermen are finding the streams moderately high, stained and filled with leaves.
Rivers and streams
The steelhead trout fishing could improve this weekend, as the Northeast Ohio streams continue to clear a bit. The windy weather has choked most of the streams with falling leaves. The recent rains should have lured some steelhead trout into the streams, providing fair fishing for next week. Stream anglers should rely on brightly colored flies and spawn bags this weekend.
Inland lakes, reservoirs
Stocked rainbow trout are still available at the Cleveland Metroparks’ Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation, Mentor’s Granger Pond and the lake at Painesville Recreational Park. A slug of farm-raised channel catfish was also released in the Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation lake. Anglers are reporting the foot-long trout are hitting Berkley Power Bait in bright colors, as well as processed fish eggs.
The conditions have been too windy on most local lakes and reservoirs. Anglers should focus on lakes with lots of protection from the wind and small bays, such as the Portage Lakes.
Looking ahead, muskie fishermen should be planning a trip to Leesville, Berlin, Lake Milton, Pymatuning and West Branch reservoirs, where the muskie fishing should begin to sparkle. The fall saugeye fishing is a bright spot in southeast Ohio, with Piedmont, Tappan, Clendening and Leesville all top saugeye waters. Fall anglers cast diving plugs and jig-minnow rigs along the rip-rap shorelines and the drop-offs.
Fishing tournaments
Fall Open of the LaDO KSU Bass Series (LaDue Reservoir): 1. Rory Franks, 13.20 pounds, $265; 2. Jay Cobb and Fred Ramski, 11.96 pounds, $260; 3. Joe Engler, 11.28 pounds, $100. Big Bass: Cobb and Ramski, 5.23 pounds.