Fish

Outlook 2007

Basin “Hot spots”

Walleye

.

West Sister Island, Northwest of North Bass Island, East of Kelleys Island, Toledo Shipping Channel, Ruggles Reef, Lorain, Cleveland, Euclid, Eastlake, Fairport, Geneva, Ashtabula, Conneaut, Inshore early, Offshore late

Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch

Perch anglers should encounter very good numbers of 8 to 11-inch fish from the 2003 hatch this year. A strong 2001 hatch will continue to provide some 10 to13-inch jumbo perch, with Central Basin fish running larger than those in the Western Basin.

“We expect to see better perch fishing than a year ago, with catches dominated by the 2003 hatch,” said Knight. The daily bag limit remains at 40 fish per angler during the 2007 season, with no minimum size limit.

Central Basin fish are expected to run larger than those in the Western Basin. Peak fishing will occur from August through October, but early summer fishing should also be rewarding, especially in the Central Basin.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing is expected to be good in 2007, with contributions from hatches in the 1990s, 2001 and 2003. Fish should range in size from 14 to 21 inches and weighing 1.5 to 5 pounds. Bass fishing is best around areas with bottom structure, which is available across much of the entire Ohio near-shore area. ODNR biologists have seen several good hatches in recent years, which should contribute to good smallmouth bass fishing in the future.

A closed season remains in effect from May 1 through June 29, during which all black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) must be immediately released. Beginning June 30, the daily bag limit will remain at five fish, with a 14-inch minimum length limit.

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 traditionally produce good numbers of smallmouth bass and the potential to catch a trophy (more than 5 pounds