Lake Erie, Cleveland Fishing Report Today

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie Cleveland fishing report for Saturday, August 30th, 2025.

The lake is serving up classic late-summer conditions. Sunrise this morning came at 6:47 a.m., and we’re looking for sunset at 8:05 p.m. If you’re heading out, expect gentle northeast winds under 10 knots shifting southeast as the day rolls on, and waves 1 foot or less all day, according to the National Weather Service Cleveland. Surface temp remains a steady 73 degrees off the Cleveland shoreline—ideal for late-season action.

Tide reports for Lake Erie are minimal—she’s a freshwater inland sea, so only wind-driven “seiche” events apply. Today, the lake’s glassy and steady, perfect for launching early or staying late.

Recent catches around the Cleveland area have been outstanding. The folks at the Lake Erie Cleveland Daily Fishing Report and regulars at the docks agree: the **walleye and perch bite is still red hot**. Anglers are filling coolers with limits in just a few hours, especially near the Edgewater reefs, Gordon Park, and out near the 72nd Street launch. Walleye have been stacking up anywhere from 35 to 55 feet. You’ll want to troll deep-diving crankbaits—Bandits and Flicker Minnows are producing best, with purples and chartreuse on overcast mornings, and brighter pinks and firetiger flashing well in the sun.

**Perch** are schooling up, too. Hot spots include the crib off E. 72nd, and the perch packs off Wildwood and Bratenahl. Anglers are fingering emerald shiners on the bottom, with many reporting half-buckets by noon. Use drop-shot rigs with two-hook setups and keep your bait near that 30-35 foot mark.

Late August means whispers of the coming **steelhead** run. According to the Tribune Chronicle, the Shasta-strain steelhead are already staging on cool nights in the lower rivers and harbor mouths. If you’re targeting steel, hit the Rocky and Chagrin river mouths at dawn or dusk. Top lures are Little Cleos, KO Wobblers, and Shad Raps—silver and blue or chartreuse.

Anglers out for **smallmouth bass** are still catching solid numbers drifting tubes and Ned rigs along the rocky points by Wendy Park and under the harbor wall near the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Don’t overlook live crayfish or Gulp! bait, especially as we warm toward the afternoon. According to Salt Strong, classic soft-plastic jerkbaits and the old standby green pumpkin tubes are hard to beat.

Hotspots for this weekend:

- **72nd Street Launch/Breakwall:** Limits of walleye, steady perch action, and bonus smallmouth.

- **Edgewater Park Reefs:** Trollers getting walleye and the occasional steelhead staging for fall.

- **Wildwood Marina to Bratenahl:** Perch packs setting up—great for families or filling the cooler.

Bait shops along the shore have emerald shiners in stock, but supply is thinning with demand up—call ahead. Bring Little Cleos, Flicker Minnows, and some classic worm harnesses if you’re feeling old-school.

Weather-wise, today is made for fishing—clear skies, mild

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Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie and Cleveland-area fishing report for Friday, August 29th, 2025. Let’s kick things off with the essentials you need before you hit the water.

Weather’s looking markedly stable after that cold front slid by last night. The National Weather Service Cleveland says we’re in for **north winds 5 to 15 knots, with waves 1 to 3 feet today, calming down to under 2 feet by this evening**. That means most boats should handle the chop, but keep an eye open if you head out deep—Erie has a reputation for turning quickly. And for those fun-loving storm chasers, there’s a slight chance of waterspouts popping up in the eastern basin, especially this afternoon.

**Sunrise was at 6:49 a.m., and sunset will be at 8:07 p.m.**, so there’s plenty of daylight for those who like chasing dawn walleyes or dusk bass.

Water temperatures are sitting pretty—**off Cleveland we’re holding at about 74 degrees**, which is prime for late-summer bites. Cooler water pushed down from the Niagara River after those strong northeast winds last week, and it’s got the fish hungry and moving.

Let’s take a look at the catch reports. The big action lately has been split in two:

- **Walleye:** You can hardly drag a deep-diving crankbait right now without hooking into a keeper out past the Cleveland breakwalls. Most boats fishing in 50 to 65 feet of water are pulling two- or three-man limits before noon, with evening bites picking up again right before sunset. Chrome and blue, or pink tiger patterns have been out-fishing more natural colors according to local boaters shopping the sales at FishUSA. Classic **crawler harnesses and spoons on dipsy divers are your go-to rigs**.

- **Yellow perch:** Small pods are scattered on deeper flats off East 72nd, but patient folks are filling buckets. Best results have been with **emerald shiners on drop-shot or spreader rigs**—a few downsized bladed perch rigs are picking up doubles too. Anchor up and let them come to you.

- **Smallmouth bass:** Breakwalls and rocky points from Edgewater east to Gordon Park are still giving up solid bronzebacks, especially on days with light chop. Locals recommend casting **topwater poppers (like a Kumbo mermaid tail) or tube jigs in green pumpkin**. Early mornings are hot—get out before boat traffic picks up.

There’s also a solid steelhead bite underway offshore for folks trolling spoons, meat rigs, and flies around the 28 to 29 line in deeper water. Those trolling Warrior Lures blue perch and similar flashy colors are hooking a mix of mature steelhead and a few kings, as reported by charters just east of Cleveland this week.

If you’re looking for hotspots to try today:

- **The Cleveland breakwall**: Still reliable for walleye, perch, and bass—especially at first light and sundown.

- **E. 72nd Street Access**: An all-day perch and smallmouth bite, plus easy shoreline access for shorecasters or kayakers.

- For quiet escapes, **Baldwin and Wallace Lakes in

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Good morning from Lake Erie—this is Artificial Lure with your August 27, 2025, report, coming to you right around sunrise at 6:44 AM, with sunset slated for 8:06 PM. Cleveland’s stretch of Erie is waking up to a bit of northwest wind, clocking in at 10 to 15 knots, and waves running 2 to 4 feet. That’s manageable for most boats, but if you’re running small craft, keep the vest handy and eyes to the sky—a chance of waterspouts and scattered showers is on tap through the afternoon. Water temps are prime for late summer fishing, holding steady around 74°F just off the Cleveland breakwalls, as reported by NOAA and the National Weather Service.

Barometric pressure is on the rise behind a lingering trough, and high pressure is set to build in later today and into tomorrow. That shift might tighten up fish schools and get some active morning and evening bites before the weather settles down. Cloud cover and chop should make for solid action, especially during low-light.

The walleye bite remains excellent, especially in the Central Basin. According to Erie Marine Sales via their latest report, anglers pulling Bandits and Ripplin’ Red Fins behind planer boards have been putting fish in the box from 50 to 65 feet deep. Gold, purple, and fire tiger patterns are producing, with recent cool mornings helping fire up the action—a handful of charters reporting easy limits in a couple hours. For trophy hunters, some larger fish over 27 inches have shown north of the Cleveland Harbor Light.

Yellow perch can be found schooled tight just east of the city, particularly off Euclid and the 72nd Street boat ramp area. Perch rigs tipped with emerald shiners or small soft plastics have brought in steady catches, and anglers who’ve put in their time around the deeper reefs are seeing full buckets on good drifts.

Smallmouth bass remain hot along the breakwalls and rocky structure between Edgewater and Rocky River. Try drop-shotting goby-imitation plastics right on the bottom. Natural olive or smoke hues are working best. Some locals are reporting bronzebacks up to 4 pounds, especially in the early hours.

Steelhead action is just starting near the mouth of the Rocky and Chagrin Rivers as they stage for the fall run. Cleos and small spoons cast from shore at first light might connect, and drifted egg sacs under floats are worth a shot in the tributaries after any rain.

Best baits and lures today:

- Deep-diving crankbaits and stickbaits for walleye in gold, purple, and clown patterns.

- Emerald shiners for perch, or try a perch-patterned jig when the baitfish move deeper.

- Goby plastics or tubes for smallmouth bass on rocky outcrops.

- Little Cleos or K.O. Wobblers for early steelhead from shore.

Hot spots to try:

- The Cleveland Crib to the Water Intake for walleye and perch—classic spots known to locals.

- The mouth of Rocky River and the old ore docks area for smallmouth.

- Edgewater Park for mixed species, with a real shot at something big right at sunrise.

Keep

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Good morning fish heads, Artificial Lure here with your up-to-the-minute Lake Erie fishing report for Sunday, August 24th, right here out of Cleveland.

The sun came up this morning at 6:40 AM, with a colorful sky and the promise of classic late August action, and it’ll set at 8:10 PM. Today’s weather is shaping up beautifully for anglers—mostly sunny skies, temps peaking around 76 degrees, with a light west wind topping out at 10 knots. Water temps off Cleveland are sitting right at 74 degrees according to the National Weather Service, so those fish are active, especially in the cooler mornings and just before dusk. Waves are gentle, 1 to 2 feet, making it prime time to get on the lake, whether you’re working close to shore or heading out a bit deeper.

Now, let’s talk fish activity. The bulk of near-shore catches have been classic late-summer fare—walleyes are still biting strong, especially on structure and deeper humps. Folks dragging harnesses or pulling crankbaits have been reporting limits, with many fish in the 19-24 inch range and a few hawgs topping 30 inches, like that monster someone posted from last week out by Cleveland’s breakwall. Jig and minnow combos are also producing, but if you want numbers, trolling with Bandits, Smithwicks, or those hot new Lake Erie Slammer colors (just released, and according to some shops, selling fast!).

Smallmouth bass are fired up with the slightly cooler nights—we’re seeing good action around rocky points, the mouths of rivers, and those classic breakwall edges east towards Euclid. Tube jigs, Ned rigs, and drop shotting three-inch soft plastics in white or goby patterns are taking the bulk of fish. The guys at Bill’s Bait and Tackle are reporting strong bites whenever there’s light chop on the water, especially mid-morning and evenings.

Perch have been hit and miss—watch your electronics for schools in 35 to 45 feet, especially out between Edgewater and Gordon Park. Emerald shiners are still the bait of choice for most, fished right on the bottom. Lots of smaller fish in the mix, but patient anglers are finding enough jumbos for a couple decent fish fries.

For you shore-bound folks, the E. 55th Street Marina and the old Coast Guard Station are staying busy, with white bass and the occasional channel cat keeping rods bent after dusk.

Today’s hot baits around Cleveland:

- For walleye, go with purple or orange Bandits and Lake Erie Slammers, worm harnesses on copper or gold blades, or a lively shiner on a single hook drifted under a float.

- For smallies, bring along tube jigs (smoke or watermelon), drop shot rigs with Gulp! minnow, and don’t be afraid to punch a jig or spinnerbait around deeper weed clumps.

- Perch are keying on emerald shiners or small pieces of nightcrawler, use a spreader rig to stay right in the strike zone.

Two hotspots this morning:

- The breakwall east of Cleveland’s harbor—walleyes and smallmouth loaded up before sunrise, and still action through the morning.

- The Hum

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie Cleveland area fishing report for Saturday, August 23, 2025—and what a beautiful day to be on the water. Let’s get right to what you need to know before loading up your tackle boxes.

First off, today’s sunrise was at 6:37 a.m. and sunset’s clocking in just past 8:15 p.m. You’ve got decent daylight to make the most of the early and late bites. Weather-wise, we’re enjoying light southwest winds up to 10 knots, mainly partly sunny skies, and waves practically hugging the shoreline at 1 foot or less. Water temps off Cleveland are holding steady at a balmy 75 degrees—prime for both wading and nearshore casting, per the National Weather Service.

Now, to the bite itself. The Lake Erie, Cleveland Fishing Report - Daily says walleye, perch, and smallmouth bass action is strong north and east of the city right now. Several area charters reported near-daily walleye limits, and some ‘eyes are rolling up in the upper teens to low twenties—those classic Lake Erie football-shaped slabs. Best action is coming deep as the day wears on. Slow trolling with crankbaits around 20-30 feet is putting fish in the box, but don’t rule out a classic harness rig or jig if you’re vertical fishing over structure. Nights and early mornings are especially hot, so if you’re an early riser or a night owl, that’s your window. According to Bill's Bait and Tackle, trolling with spoons and blade baits has been productive for the deeper suspended schools.

Perch are schooling around the humps and reefs off Rocky River and Euclid, with some solid catches reported just outside the breakwalls. Emerald shiners are, as always, the ticket—either fished on the bottom with a spreader or on a simple drop-shot. Be patient, move if you don’t get bites in 15 minutes, and keep an eye out for those tight clusters on your finder.

Smallmouth bass continue to be one of Lake Erie’s most underrated summer treasures. Anglers from Edgewater Park to the mouth of the Cuyahoga report consistently aggressive smallies clustered around rocky drop-offs in 18-35 feet. The 2.5” Juvy Craw tube in motor oil, as highlighted by Great Lakes Finesse, has been a big fish getter. Don’t be shy throwing Ned rigs or tubes in natural forage colors. If you’re a live bait purist, shiners and crawlers fished slow over structure are a lock. According to Fishingbooker’s 2025 guide, the “big bass” designation for Lake Erie is really living up to the hype this season, with numerous 3-4 pounders brought to boat and shore.

For you tuna heads—steelhead and lake trout bites are quieter near Cleveland, with better trout action still a bit east. If you make the run, try trolling magnum spoons or stickbaits down deep. The odd sheepshead and channel cat have been turning up in mixed catches.

A few more quick hits: Sheepshead are always around to test your patience and give a good tug, and those looking for something different will find the occasional white bass mixed in with

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Good morning from the north coast—Artificial Lure here with your Friday Lake Erie fishing report for Cleveland and the surrounding waters, August 22, 2025.

Sunrise hit at 6:39 a.m. this morning, and expect sunset around 8:16 p.m. With dawn temps hovering in the low 70s and light northwest winds forecast through the afternoon, it's prime conditions to head out before the lake picks up any chop. The barometer is steady and humidity manageable, and the waters around Cleveland are sorting themselves out after a handful of scattered showers last night.

Lake Erie doesn’t have true ocean tides, but water levels do fluctuate slightly with wind and atmospheric pressure. Today, expect near-average water levels—nothing dramatic to worry about if you’re out launching early from Edgewater or the E. 55th St. marina.

Let’s get to the fish: Walleye action remains strong, with reports across the Cleveland basin showing good numbers coming in, especially in that 30–45 foot contour between Wildwood Park and Gordon Park. Most trollers are having success pulling spinner harnesses with nightcrawlers, though some are scoring big numbers with Silver Streak Spoons—top colors this week are green glow alewife and firetiger, as shown by Ross Robertson of Bigwater Fishing.

If you’re vertical jigging, try the mid-morning hours; early bites are hot but can turn finicky by midday. Fish are moving deeper as the sun rises, so don’t be afraid to work the bottom over the east-side reefs or along the shipping channel drop-offs.

Yellow perch bite is finally waking up too, with decent size limits being reported near the Cleveland crib and just off the break walls. According to Fishing Booker’s Port Clinton Guide, perch spreaders baited with emerald shiners are the go-to. Locals are hitting the daily legal limit—currently 30 fish per angler—especially in the first couple hours after sunrise.

Bass anglers, the rocky structure around the old break walls west of Edgewater and the harbor mouth near the Cuyahoga River remain hot. Smallmouths are hunting hard, with largest catches coming off live shiners, crayfish, or finesse plastics. Bearded Bass Lures poppers are getting results, too, especially at first and last light according to Jeff Beers’ recent report. The best artificial colors right now: natural shad and sexy shad patterns.

Don’t overlook the local sweet spots: Burke Lakefront Airport wall remains a nighttime favorite for mixed bags—walleye, white bass, and the odd sheepshead. For family-friendly action and easy access, the E. 72nd Street fishing area is buzzing, especially around dusk.

For those who want a change of pace or if Lake Erie gets rough, Wallace Lake out in Berea—part of Cleveland Metroparks—has decent largemouth bass and regular channel catfish stocked every May. Here, topwater baits near the weedbeds and drop shot rigs with live bait are pulling in solid numbers, especially early or late.

Reminder—check your bait shop for the freshest emerald shiners before

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie fishing report for Cleveland, Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

We kicked off the day with **sunrise at 6:37 AM** and can expect **sunset at 8:24 PM**. The weather is shaping up classic late-summer: **Morning haze giving way to mostly sunny skies and temperatures working their way into the upper 70s**. The lake’s surface temps are comfortable for fish and anglers alike—**76 degrees off Cleveland as per NOAA**. But heads up: the National Weather Service has issued a **small craft advisory** starting tonight, with northeast winds 15-20 knots and **waves from 3 to 6 feet** likely through Thursday. If you’re running a smaller boat, best stay close, keep your eye on the water, and don’t press your luck.

Lake Erie doesn’t truly have tides like the ocean, but wind-driven seiches are a thing—expect some chop by evening due to that northeast breeze. The fish don’t mind; they just tuck back and keep feeding.

The bite around Cleveland is solid this week, especially for **walleye and smallmouth bass**. Charter captains like Captain Ken’s Wild Wings report folks regularly hitting their walleye limits, with the average haul in prime spots running 4 to 6 keepers per angler per day. Many boats are heading northeast toward the **Canadian line** around the border waters where the deep schools are stacked up, but locals are also finding luck close to shore when conditions allow.

Best tactic right now? **Trolling harnesses** with *nightcrawlers* and **silver or purple Reef Runners** continue to do the trick for walleye. If you’ve got a good set of planer boards, set them to run between 25 and 40 feet down near drop-offs or over structure. Reports from Thundermist Lure Company last week suggest the old standby—**Stingnose jigging spoons**—has also pulled in solid fish. Don’t forget a deep-diver for midday runs when the sun gets high.

For bass anglers, Wired2Fish advises working the **shallows with subtle presentations**—think **hair jigs** (Great Lakes Finesse Marabou Jig is hot right now) or **spybaits** like the Duo Realis Spinbait 80. Cast long, keep your approach quiet, and target rocky flats or submerged humps in 10 to 15 feet. Smallmouth are a little spooky in skinny water, but they’re there—try probing around the old breakwalls near Edgewater Park, or the rubble piles east of downtown for a shot at a bruiser.

**Recent catches** in the Cleveland basin are a mixed bag: plenty of “eater” walleye in the 16-22" range, a handful of tanks at 25"+, and good numbers of summer smallmouths from 2 to 4 pounds. Perch have been slow, but some anglers picked up enough for dinner using **emerald shiners** on crappie rigs over deeper mud flats.

**Hot spots:**

- **Edgewater Park breakwalls:** Lots of rock and current, prime for smallmouth and walleye at dawn and dusk.

- **Avon Point to Euclid:** Deep trolling is working on big walleye schools.

- And if you want a scenic steelhead try, keep an eye on Lake Erie’s tributaries—Thomas’ Gui

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here bringing you today’s fishing report for Lake Erie and the Cleveland shoreline on August 17, 2025.

The sun rose at 6:28 AM and it’s shaping up to be a classic late-summer day on the big lake. Weather’s starting out mild, with a light east wind that’ll build as the morning goes on. National Weather Service Cleveland reports we’re looking at 1-3 foot waves and a chance of a passing thunderstorm later today, so monitor the skies and keep your gear ready for any quick changes. Sunset tonight is set for 8:23 PM.

The fishery is still firing on all cylinders. According to FishUSA, the walleye bite continues strong, especially in deeper water—most catches have been coming from 70 feet and beyond, with bigger fish sitting below that thermocline. There’s plenty of action for those trolling leadcore, divers, and running snap weights to get down deep. Lures like MoonEye body baits—those bright Canadian-made jobs—are producing great results for walleye this week, especially in bright chartreuse or purple, according to Erie & Creek Tackle. Don’t overlook the Berkley Flicker Minnow either, which performed well at Battle on the Bay up by Dunkirk; it’s just as effective off Cleveland when fish are suspended.

Recent charters—like those from BlackH2oDog and K2 Charters—have reported limit catches of walleye with plenty of keepers in the mix and some bonus steelhead picked up trolling deeper water. Perch numbers are climbing, especially with the lake settling after last weekend’s flip. For perch, stick to shiners or cut minnows on drop-shot rigs around rocky humps or near the reef edges. Early morning and dusk remain the magic hours.

If you’re a bass angler, Bass Fishing Daily’s weekend podcast reminds us that the breakwalls near Edgewater and the docks around E. 55th are holding big smallmouth. Try finesse presentations—Ned rigs, tube jigs in green pumpkin, or drop-shotting smaller plastics. A New Moon last night means tides are negligible, but it’s increasing fish activity at dawn.

A couple hot spots for today’s outing:

* “72-Foot Ridge” straight off the mouth of the Cuyahoga—walleye are stacked deep here, and charters are pulling quick limits.

* “Gordon Park Breakwall”—perch are biting all along the rocks, with easy access from shore and plenty of parking.

* “Cleveland Crib”—this offshore structure is a magnet for big summer smallmouth chasing shad and for steelhead prowling the cold currents.

Bait shops across town suggest carrying both live shiners for perch and a selection of body baits and spoons for walleye. If the water muddies up with rain, switch to gold or firetiger patterns. Don’t forget your Ohio fishing license and a cooler for your catch.

As always, keep safety first—Lake Erie can turn in a heartbeat. Stay tuned for weather updates and bring your PFDs.

Thanks for tuning in to your local Lake Erie fishing report. Subscribe for the latest, and tight lines to all. This has been a quiet please productio

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This is Artificial Lure reporting on fishing in and around Lake Erie by Cleveland, Saturday, August 16th, 2025.

If you’re heading out early, sunrise was at 6:30 AM with sunset at 8:23 PM. This gives you plenty of daylight to work with. The lake is settling into a calm stretch, with water temperatures near Belle Isle at 79 degrees and waves staying at a mellow 1 foot or less. Light south winds below ten knots will make for smooth boating. Forecasts from the National Weather Service call for mostly sunny skies; watch for a chance of showers overnight as a cold front approaches later in the weekend. Tides aren’t a big factor here, but those weather conditions help drive fish activity.

Let’s talk walleye first. The bite is still strong, especially off the Cleveland coastline in 65 to 72 feet of water. Anglers are reporting steady catches trolling crawler harnesses—double willow blades in chartreuse or purple are producing best. Inline weights are letting folks stay down in the strike zone. Early morning and early evening runs seem most productive, with schools moving deeper midday. Reports from Tall Tales Tackle say most boats are filling limits of quality fish, averaging 17 to 22 inches, many keeping a half dozen or more for the cooler.

Smallmouth bass are showing up strong around rocky structure—think the breakwalls near Edgewater, the old crib reefs out from Gordon Park, and the east side of the Cleveland Harbor. Tube jigs in green pumpkin, Ned rigs, and drop-shotting with Gulp minnows are bringing bass to hand. The Nishine Lure Works Erie 115TW topwater is getting noticed locally, especially for largemouth up inside the marinas and boat slips where docks shade the water and baitfish stack. Pea gravel flats and steep drop-offs are places to target throughout the day.

Yellow perch runs are improving, too, with decent numbers coming from 48 to 55 feet straight north of Wildwood Park and the NE corner of the breakwall. Emerald shiners remain the undisputed bait king for perch—fish them on double hook rigs right on the bottom. Most of the keepers are running ten to twelve inches, with a few bigger slabs. Mix in plenty of white bass and the odd channel catfish for good measure.

If you’re interested in toothy critters, northern pike are active. Points east, around the mouth of the Cuyahoga and Gordon Park, are local hot spots. Pike are coming on silver spoons, large stickbaits, and live chubs under a bobber. Reports from Buffalo and west into Sandusky show solid catches—if you want big fish action, cast or troll deeper edges of the harbor where baitfish congregate.

Today’s best bets:

- Walleye: 65–72 feet off Cleveland, trolling harnesses and deeper crankbaits.

- Smallmouth bass: rocky areas at Edgewater and Gordon Park, tube jigs, drop-shot rigs.

- Perch: 48–55 feet near Wildwood Park, double hook rig with emerald shiners.

- Pike: Cleveland east breakwalls and harbor edges, spoons or big live baits.

Two hot spots to check this weekend: Wildwood

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Good morning anglers, it’s Artificial Lure with your Lake Erie Cleveland fishing report for Friday, August 15, 2025.

Lake conditions are setting up nearly perfect for a summer outing. According to the National Weather Service, expect a calm lake today with waves at 1 foot or less and water temps hovering around 75°F off the Cleveland shore. Winds out of the southeast around 5 to 10 mph will make for easy drifting and trolling. Cleveland is basking in clear, pleasant weather, thanks to a stable high-pressure system overhead, so pack some sunscreen—the UV index is very high and you’ll want to protect yourself under that summer sun. Sunrise was right around 6:34 am, and you’ll have daylight until sunset at 8:25 pm, plenty of time to target all your favorites.

Walleye action remains the star, with local charters like Bercaw Sportfishing reporting plenty of success on both morning and afternoon trips. Recent groups around Cleveland and out toward Port Clinton are still taking home limits, with plenty of eater-sized fish in the 15 to 20 inch range and the occasional 25+ inch bruiser. Perch are heating up too, especially on the western basin, and yellow perch catches are starting to show up in the buckets as temps peak.

Trolling is king right now for walleye. Anglers are putting fish in the boat with Stinger spoons—hot colors this week include Dirty Little White Boy, Angry Bird, and Carbon 14, matching the clear skies and bright light. Dipsy divers and inline weights help get spoons down to 30–50 feet where suspended fish are roaming. If you want fast action, don’t overlook blade baits and lipless cranks, especially during first light and the evening bite. According to a recent Walleye Tour angler, "Drop it just past a fish, then slowly reel it up by them"—if you don’t get bit on the first pass, another try usually gets their attention.

Perch are most consistent with emerald shiners on a spreader rig or drop-shot, fished right off the bottom near rocky structure. A couple scoops of live bait from your local shop will keep you busy, but don’t be shy with small artificial soft plastics—tube baits and finesse worms are producing for both perch and bonus smallmouth. Bass are hitting well along rocky shorelines and harbors, with drop-shot rigs, tubes, and swimbaits doing the damage. Upnorthvoice recommends dragging tube baits or casting swimbaits along the bottom for a chance at a trophy smallmouth.

Best hotspots lately: In Cleveland proper, put your time in near the breakwalls around Edgewater Park and the mouth of the Cuyahoga River for numbers of walleye and smallmouth. If you’ve got a boat, work the 38–45 foot depths north and slightly west of the harbor, where you’ll find schools of active walleye. Another hot area: the reef complex off Lorain, especially early or late in the day. For shore anglers, E. 72nd St. fishing area remains a reliable bet, particularly at dawn and dusk.

The bite’s hottest around sunrise and again in the last two hours befo

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