Lake Erie
West Basin Fishing Reports.
From The 2001 Fishing Season
These Reports are provided as a comparison of fishing in the West Basin of Lake Erie from year to year.
Report 9/14/01:
Detroit
River: Bottom Line reports walleye being takin in the lower river
below Sugar Island. There are also reports that perch are moving
in out in from of Lake Erie Metropark.
West Basin: I received a reliable report that walleye are still
in the West Basin anywhere from Sputnik to Fermi. Perch are also
biting and like the walleye you need to locate the tight schools
and work them. If you are not catching fish or many fish, move.
When you start catching fish, work the spot. This applies to both
species.
Report 9/4/01:
I am very
tempted to just say forget the 8/30/01 report. I fished walleye
again this weekend and scored limit + catches 3 miles WEST of
Sputnik, probably just into Ohio waters but very close to the
Michigan border. I have not been this close since July mainly
because I heard that fishing in or close to Michigan waters was
not producing. Boated 29 walleye Sunday and Monday in 24' of
water fishing between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, lost many more. Not
like it was in June and July but not bad just the same. Bill at
Bottomline says that the perch are doing well anywhere from Fermi
to Bolles Harbor in 20 to 24 ft of water. The radio reports I
heard over Sunday and Monday suggested perch fishing had slowed
and was fair to poor. Perch also seemed to be small. I did
receive a report from the Toledo intake that perch fishing there
was excellent and fish were running to 15 inches but I cannot
confirm. If you are heading out for perch don't forget the
walleye gear, if perch'n is slow the walleye have been willing!
Report 8/30/01:
Sorry for the
lengthy delay in reports. I have not been fishing because of
other commitments and apparently no one else has either! Last
weekend was my first time out since 8/4 and 8/5. I limited on
'eyes on Saturday but came up short Sunday when the cold front
came through just 1/2 hour after we set up. The fishing is
nowhere what it was earlier in the year or what it was at this
time last year, but they can be found. Sunday was the first time
since June 8th I was unable to limit. The fish I have found in
August are from 3.5 miles east of the Sputnik to between the
islands. Try trolling until you find fish, sometimes it is taking
a couple of hours. Once you do continue to work those fish. When
I have found fish it has been consistantly in 30' of water. I
have yet to switch to perch but the reports have been good
anywhere along the channel from the Toledo Light to the Sputnik.
There is also a good pack of boats fishing 3 miles east of Stoney
Point. Good luck this holiday weekend and if you find some fish,
send an email and let us all know!
Report 8/7/01:
West Basin:
After not being out a couple of weeks everything I was hearing
was that fishing in Michigan waters had died. I did see a few
boats fishing Stony Point and north of the Sputnik but do not
know how they were doing. I did not mark fish in these areas. I
headed to West Sister and marked a lot of fish on the graph. They
were deep, I am sure the 95 degree days didn't have anything do
to with it. I worked the bottom since that was where I marked
fish but the only thing I caught were white perch, perch,
sheepshead and catfish. After 5:00pm I moved the baits higher (20
ft) and starting catching walleye. I had worked higher during the
day without success. I limited both Monday in about 45 minutes
after 5:00pm. Nothing all afternoon. I limited again Tuesday
fishing from 9:30am to 11:30am. There are a lot of fish north of
West Sister but they are obviously not all walleye. The active
walleye I found were 1/3 the way directly between West and Middle
Sister islands in 30 ft of water. I am still fishing crawler
harness on 4oz bottom bouncers 40ft back. Orange blades with a
diagonal chartreuse stripe. Some weeds here but fishable, no
weeds to the east. I would concentrate my fishing time before
noon or after 5:00pm until this heat breaks. If you have any
information on anything closer to Michigan please email me and I
will include it. Thank you.
Report 7/30/01:
West Basin:
Just returned from Saginaw Bay so this report is from what others
have provided. Some fish can still be found in front of the
Raisin River to the shipping channel. The best report I received
however was from 3-4 miles south of West Sister. These fish were
taken on purple and black/gold Hot'n'Tots and Rattle Tots fished
150 back with 2 oz. snap weights. This area is holding quality
fish of not quantity. I am on family vacation next week which
will not provide me the chance to fish. Those of you who are able
to get out please email me on how you are doing so that we can
keep everyone on the fish. Thank you.
Report 7/23/01:
West Basin: I
only got out by myself on Saturday afternoon for a bit before the
rains came. I picked up 11 walleye still on the mark in front of
Fermi but they seem to be thinning out, I caught almost every
fish within 1 tenth of a mile. I am still using crawler harness
fished off of 2-3 oz bottom bouncers from 30 to 40 ft. back.
Color does not seem to matter. Fish were also being caught from
Stoney to the Raisin River. I also received a report of good
fishing near the water intake.
Report 7/16/01:
West Basin:
Strong winds last week really churned things up. The large fish
north of Sputnik just disappeared. Plenty on fish are still
holding in 19'-20' of water in front of Fermi to Stoney Point and
into Brest Bay. We also found fish 3 miles WNW of West Sister.
There were also a few fish 4 miles west of Middle Sister Island.
But the best and most active fish are in close. It is nice to see
so many fish holding in the shallow waters of Michigan this late
in the month of July, maybe they will hold all year again like
last year. I know they are catching walleye south of Sputnik
along the channel and west but I do not have any real good
accurate reports.
Report 7/9/01:
West Basin:
Fishing remains great! Fish are still holding from Stoney Point
to the Sputnik. I have not been or needed to be anywhere else.
Fish seem to be smaller toward Stoney and larger toward the
Sputnik. Best fish seem to be coming North of Sputnik to about
one mile and slightly West. Walleye seem to be holding in pockets
more than in the past month with areas of unproductive water in
between. My guess this may be a result of clearer water but this
is just speculation. When you find an area holding fish continue
to work it. Limits are still coming in less than 3 1/2 hours.
Baits worked deep are catching perch so if you are looking for a
bucket full of perch try north of Sputnik as well.
Report 7/6/01:
West Basin:
Weather has been tough this past week with two cold fronts and
the wind blowing hard. I personally had a tough week with a boat
that does not want to run. To make a long story short I have not
fished since last weekend until today. Today we found fish 1 mile
north of the Sputnik and west about a mile. The same place they
were a week ago! We limited for four people and played catch and
release for a few more fishing 9:30am to 2:30pm. Fishing is still
great and I do not detect any major movement to deeper waters
just yet.
Report 6/29/01:
West Basin: I
apologize for the delay in reports. I have been so busy catching
and cleaning fish I did not realize how long it has been. I have
fished the West Basin for 8 years now, fishing for the past 3
weeks has been the best I have EVER experienced. There are no
tricks, troll anything you like from the Banana Dike South to
Luna Pier and you will catch a limit of walleye. Drifters are the
only ones struggling and the lack of wind is probably a part of
it but drifters have had a harder time than trollers all year.
Trolling crank baits continue to be successfull, color patterns
mention in the last report are still holding true. If you are
trolling crawler harnesses it don't matter what color you run. I
have averaged 10 fish per hour for every hour trolling in the
past 3 weeks running 2-6 lines. I have caught fish everywhere
from 20 to 32 feet of water with equal success. Fishing has been
so good I will only caution what isn't working. Drifting, Weeds
north of the Fermi Towers and forgeting to put hooks on your
bait. Avoid these and you are sure to limit in a short time!
Report 6/22/01:
Detroit
River: Still catching fish but the river has slowed down.
Jiggers, trollers and handliners are all catching some fish.
West Basin: Fish are everywhere, and so are the weeds. Weeds seem
to cover everything from Brest Bay north to the Banana Dike. I
have not been south of Brest Bay. There are a lot of fish here
below the weeds, you just need to have the patients with the
weeds. Despite the difficulties, I limited twice from 3:30pm to
6:00pm. I had to bring my boards in 3 times to clear the weeds
during this time. Colors have not changed, Silver/chrome, Purple
Tiger, and Metallic Rainbow are hot. Bright colors (Red Hot
Tiger) are not catching walleye. I have also received a good
report on fishing in front of Luna Pier from Joe Miller. He says
that fish are in 12 to 14 ft of water and fisherman are catching
their limits.
Report 6/16/01:
West Basin:
Fishing is still fantastic from Fermi to almost the Raisin River.
Limit catches still easy. Weeds have been moving into much of the
area.You can try trolling through the weeds or move out to the
exterior of them. Fish are everywhere and I had the best success
today away from the boat pack and weeds mainly because I
eliminated the difficulties the weeds present. Colors have
changed. Bright colors have turned off. I have caught more fish
on the red hot tiger pattern than everything else combined the
past few years. The past few days they have rarely caught a fish.
Best colors are metallic rainbow, chrome/black and purple tiger.
Drifters are catching fish but seem to be struggling.
Report 6/15/01:
West Basin:
Forget Ohio, some fish from Sputnik east but the best game going
is from Stony Point to Fermi. Easy limit catches. Fish are nice
too, we took one today that went six lbs and most fish 1 1/2 lbs
to 3 1/2 lbs. Did not have to measure any. We ran mostly
thundersticks and the most productive two colors were chrome /
black and metallic rainbow but they were hitting everthing we put
in the water. We had 5 aboard, ran 6 lines and at times we had
all six lines out of the water the action was so fast. Several
double headers on a rod as well.
Report 6/11/01:
Detroit
River: Reports are still good from the river. Limit catches are
coming on trolled crank baits and bottom bouncers pulling crawler
harnesses. Best success is still trolling downstream. Also a very
good repors from a fisherman drifting crawler harness. Fish
crawlers in 22 to 25 foot of water whether drifting or trolling.
Success on crank baits is coming in the Trenton Channel in 12 to
20 foot of water.
West Basin: Fishing remains tough in the West Basin but is
improving. Small fish can be located 8 miles out from Fermi.
Nicer fish can be found 2-3 miles out from Stony Point and again
off the Raisin River mouth. Fish can also be found around the
Stutnik and the best concentration of fish seems to be 2-4 miles
east of the Sputnik toward West Sister. 1 to 3 miles west of West
Sister also holds some fish. Biggest fish found over the weekend
were 4 to 8 miles ENE of West Sister, quite a trip for most
boats. Limit catches are the exception rather than the rule.
Crank baits are performing better for almost all but the most
adept at trolling crawler harnesses. Most productive are
Thundersticks DJrs. in the Red Hot Tiger pattern, blue Reef
Runners and Wiggle Warts.
Report 6/04/01:
Detroit
River: I received another report today similar to the 5/31 report
of a technique that is working on the Canadian side in the
upbound channel. Similiar to trolling downsteam with crawlers and
bottom bouncers, this method is using small Rapalas (#3) casted
upstream from an anchored boat and retrieved.
West Basin: If you are having trouble catching 'eyes in the West
Basin recently you are not alone. The best reports are coming
from the Sputnik and just today West Sister Island. It seems that
most of the action recently has been in Ohio waters.
Report 5/31/01:
Detroit
River: Fisherman are still catching plenty of fish and still
getting big fish in the river. Handlining working well. Another
method being used and having great success is trolling crawler
harness off of bottom bouncers in 25ft of water around the steel
plants. Troll the harness with the current and slightly faster
than the current.
West Basin: Talked to another boat that fished Wednesday and had
even worse results than I did Monday as if that were possible.
The west basin is still not producing many fish unless you are
looking for silver bass.
Report 5/30/01:
Detroit
River: Nothing to report from this past weekend. I will try to
have more information by Friday evening.
West Basin: Well I don't have to tell you, the weather was
terrible this past weekend. I got out Monday afternoon. I fished
from the Banana Dike to then New Sputnik, from 5 ft of water to
25 ft. I was only able to get two small walleye in 6 hours of
fishing. I hope this was a result of the weather,the water was
mostly clean however. I do not know if anyone did any better,
there were very few boats on the water. If you were out this past
weekend and have anything to add please email it to me, thanks.
Report 5/23/01:
Detroit
River: I received two reports from fisherman on the river this
past weekend. One did well fishing in the upper part of the river
and one did poor fishing in the lower part of the Trenton
Channel.
West Basin: Walleye seem to be scattered all over the West Basin.
Fisherman caught fish everywhere but in general fish came 1-2 per
hour. The best reports came from the New Sputnik, 3 miles east of
the new Sputnik, along the Maumee River Channel and from those
fishing very shallow 9-12 feet of water. Popular baits continue
to be Thunderstick Jrs. and crawler harnesses.
Report 5/13/01:
Detroit
River: No further information since 5/9.
West Basin: I received a report that limit catches of walleye are
coming in short periods of time off of Bolles Harbor, Sterling
State park area, also known as the 'two stacks'. Crawler
harnesses with gold blades and red beads are doing well trolled
as slow as possible that still allows the blade to turn. These
fish have been here for several weeks and this area. This area
should continue to improve if traditional patterns hold.
Report 5/9/01:
Detroit
River: Limit catches are common up and down the river. Fish are
comming in 13ft to 20ft of water during the day and 13ft to 3 ft
during the evening. Most fish being caught are good eating size
with a few bigger fish found in the lower Trenton Channel. Both
Handliners and jiggers are doing well during the night, early
morning and evening. Fish are coming during the day but move to
the deeper water (13-20ft). Pencil plugs are starting to take
more fish along with the Rapalas that have been doing good all
year for the handliners. Best colors are yellow or blue. Jiggers
will find fish taking the traditional jigs with minnow and
recently longer plastic worms without the minnow. Double tail
plastic baits are also working well with leeches and crawlers.
West Basin: Perch are off and on in the boundry waters with
Canada. Nice perch are being taken off of Colchester Reef in
Canada in 28ft of water. Turtle Island is turning up some nice
walleye and boats running out of Luna Pier are doing well but I
don't have specifics. Brest bay is also doing well. Fish the bay
from 12 to 20 ft. of water concentrating off of the Raisin River.
Large fish (8lbs+) can still be found in the waters off of the
Raisin.
Report 4/30/01:
Detroit
River: The better weather has helped the jiggers to put many more
fish in the boat the past few days. Handliners continue to do
very well on clown rapalas. Jiggers are doing best with
chartreuse tails. Perch in the river have been spotty.
Report 4/25/01:
Detroit
River: On the river this past weekend jiggers found more success
than in the previous week. Handliners found continued success. In
our club's tournament, the boat that won the tournament was
jigging, the boat that had the most weight for two days was
handlining. The great weather since this past weekend should
improve the jig bite. The weather is forecasted to be great
through next week, this should further improve fishing for those
who wish to jig. Fish are getting smaller however with most of
the big females having already spawned. The biggest fish in the
club tournament were between 6.5lbs and 7lbs.
West Basin: Fishing has been good in Brest Bay. Most boats are
concentrating near the Raisin River but fish are being caught all
the way to Stoney Point. Look for fish in 13 to 18 foot of water
during the day, shallower in the morning and evening. The lake is
producing good fish too! Third place in the club tournament
previously mentioned was taken by a boat fishing crawlers and
thunderstick DJ's in the lake with a two day combined weight that
placed them second overall. Walleye are cooperating as is the
weather, time to go fishing!
Report 4/19/01:
Detroit
River: The rain last Sunday has slowed things during the week.
Jiggers have been struggling but handliners are doing very well.
Best baits have not changed from the 4/14 report. Water has begun
to clear and jiggers did much better today. Hopefully the
expected rain Friday and Saturday will not be too heavy and the
waters will continue to clear.
West Basin: Pike are still doing very well in the canals, creeks
and shallower water. Perch have slowed of late. Some good reports
of walleye on crank baits on the reefs in Ohio.
Report 4/14/01:
Detroit
River: Best way to describe things is 'steady as she goes'.
Fishing has not been spectacular but fish are still readily being
caught and limit catches show up often. The water has dirtied
some but not badly. The bigger fish are still around and can be
found working the edges of the shallow water along the deeper
drop-offs. Many smaller fish are beginning to show up in the
deeper water. No real preference in baits. Big minnows are still
out producing night crawlers. Tail colors are also all over, glow
tails, white/blue and pink are all producing some fish. Shad are
also working well. Last night a handliner limited in 1 1/2 hours
with all fish coming on a rainbow trout Rapala. Reports from
up-river have begun to improve over the last three days.
Perch are doing well in front of the marinas and off of the
dikes.
Report 4/6/01:
Detroit
River: The Hogs Are In! For the past 10 days a number of 9lb to
11lb fish have been turning up. The last three days however have
steadily ratcheted up the standard. Three days ago 11lbs, two
days ago 12lbs, yesterday 13lbs and today 14lbs! Now is the time
to catch the fish of your lifetime. The monster walleye should
hold for the next 2-3 weeks. After that the chances of the
'Wallhanger' will quickly diminish. Jigging is the best bet right
now with white, pearl and pearl blue the hottest tail colors.
Work the slack areas behind structure in 3ft to 10ft of water for
your best chance at a Trenton Channel Hog. Stinger hooks are
still a must as is putting your bait right in front of their
nose! Handliners are beginning to do better at night. If perch
are your preference try the waters along the Canadian border and
on the east side of Grosse Isle. Some crappie are being caught in
the canals and marinas. Large minnows on bobbers have been very
productive for pike in the local creeks and canals.
Huron River: Steelhead have slowed recently. Your best bet is
still a black and gold Hot'n'Tot, other chrome colors are also
producing some fish. Walleye are still doing well and still out
of season.
Again I would like to thank BottomLine Bait and Tackle located on Jefferson Rd across from Lake Erie Metro Park for this report. For the absolute latest, check with them on your way to the river, they will be happy to help with the most up-to-date information.
Report 3/30/01:
Detroit
River: During the last few days the water has cleared and the
fish are really turning on! The winds yesterday and today turned
the water on the Canadian side dirty. Jiggers have been doing
very well with most turning up limit catches, even on bad days
fisherman are taking 3-4 fish per boat. The big fish of 9-10 lbs
are coming in 3-8 ft of water and the eaters in 6-18 ft of water.
Biggest fish this week at Bottom Line was 11lbs 7oz. The area in
front of the Edison plant is red hot. Reports upriver are not
nearly as good with the best report of several fish coming from
under the Ambassador Bridge. The best combination seems to be
green/sparkle tails with large minnows. Stinger hooks are a must
which suggests a lite byte. Handliners working in dirty water are
still doing best with the new holographic Rapalas. The weather
pattern does not look like it should seriously disrupt things
this weekend, everything looks great, time to fishing!
Huron River: Fishing on the Huron is great as well. Walleye are
still doing well around the Flat Rock Dam. Please keep in mind
that Walleye are out of season on the Huron River. 1/2 to 1 mile
downriver form the Dam is best for Steelhead. Best baits are a
black & yellow fly and Black and Gold Hot'n'Tot, Black and
Silver is still doing well as are any chrome Hot'n'Tots.
Steelhead are running 5-8 lbs.
West Basin: Some perch are being taken in shallow water and Pike
can be found in good numbers in the canals.
I would like to thank Bottom Line Bait & Tackle located
across from Lake Erie Metro Park for this report.
Report 3/21/01:
Detroit
River: The fish are turning on but not yet the full run. Boats
this past weekend were averaging 4-5 fish. One boat reported 9
while handlining but this was not confirmed. They were running
the new holographic floating Rapalas. Jiggers with minnows have
also been successful, no colors at this time. Fish have been
running up to the 7lb to 9lb range. Things should do nothing but
get better going forward. The run is on!
Huron River: Steelhead and Walleye are still doing pretty good.
Remember, Walleye are not in season on the Huron River. Best
success for Steelhead has been coming from holes below the Flat
Rock Dam. The water is still high and fast reportedly from a gate
problem up in Belleville. The fishladder is allowing fish to move
upstream and a 14lb+ Steelhead was taken in Belleville about 10
days ago.
Report 3/12/01:
Detroit
River: Things have not yet started on the river. A few fisherman
have gone out the past two weekends but are only getting 1-2 fish
per boat.
West Basin: Perch have been slow on the lake as well as the
canals.
Huron River: Steelhead have slowed the past 10 days but quite a
few walleye are being taken. A dam up in Belleville has a gate
stuck in the open position and is keeping the Huron River high.
The high water maybe helping to keep the steelhead scattered.
Report 1/26/01:
As promised,
if the fish and ice cooperated I would provided fishing reports.
Cooperation could be better on both parts however. Here is what
is going on.
Airport Bay, Grosse Ile: Ice is good, up to 10". Pike have
moved in and pike fishing is good. It has however slowed the
perch fishing who are probably keeping a low profile with the big
boys in town.
Metro Park, Gibralter Canals: Ice good but be cautious, currents
at work here. Some perch are being taken in the canals and at the
Metro Park. The canals are much slower than in years past,
probably because the water is even lower this year then last.
There is about 2 - 3 ft of water in the canals.
Huron River, Silver Creek: No Ice. Silver Creek had been good
through the ice earlier in the month producing 12-50 perch per
day. Dawn and dusk were best. 1 Steelhead was also taken.
Currently the only ice is around the Jefferson bridge preventing
fishing from the bridge but not enough ice to fish on. Fish are
probably still here but we either need a hard freeze to create
enough ice or a thaw to permit fishing from the bridge. Have not
heard anything from the Huron River but if a Steelhead was caught
in Silver Creek they are certian to be in the river. The Huron
River had a good fall King run.
Banana Dike: Good Ice, long walk. Perch are spotty, reports of 6
to 35 fish per day. Some walleye are being taken as well. With
the deeper water in the protected basin (18' + ) the fish tend to
bite all day long. If you have the day and are up for the 2 mile
walk this could be a good bet.
Brest Bay: Ice fair. Watch the stress cracks if you have a SW or
W wind, you don't want to be trolling from an ice flow! Walleye
have slowed recently but the fish are getting bigger. Perch have
picked up in around 12' of water.
Luna Pier: Have not heard much, water to shallow.
Port Clinton/Catawba: Reports are there is good Ice. Walleye
fishing is fairly good. Fishing is better late in the day.
Productive areas: 2 mi NW of Mouse island and 2-3 miles out of
the bay. Fish are running regularly up to 6lbs with an occaisonal
fish up to 10lbs.
Hot Baits: The 'hot' baits thus far this year have been white
tear drops with wax worms and the standard minnow for perch. All
areas reporting perch are 7"-9" with the rare fish up
to 12". The only 'hot' walleye bait reported as been gold
Swedish Pimples.
I would like to thank BottomLine Bait and Tackle, The Dip Net and
fellow Huron Valley Steelheader club members who contributed to
this report.