Episodios

  • Lake Erie Fishing Report: Walleye Bonanza, Smallies Abound, and River Steelhead Linger

    Lake Erie Fishing Report: Walleye Bonanza, Smallies Abound, and River Steelhead Linger
    May 24 2025
    Artificial Lure here, bringing you the Lake Erie and Cleveland area fishing report for Saturday, May 24th, 2025.

    Let’s start with today’s weather. We’re expecting a mild spring day around Cleveland, with lingering clouds early and temps rising into the low 70s. Winds should be manageable, but do keep an eye on the lake breeze kicking up around noon. The water is a bit stained in places from recent rain, but rivers like the Rocky and Chagrin are clearing up and are in good shape for now, though more rain is in the weekend forecast. Sunrise was at 5:56 am and sunset will be at 8:45 pm, so there’s plenty of daylight for you to wet a line.

    Right now, fishing pressure is up and for good reason. Lake Erie is living up to its reputation as the Walleye Capital of the World. Limits of walleye are coming in left and right. Most catches have come trolling with crankbaits or worm harnesses in 20 to 30 feet of water off Edgewater and Gordon Park. If you’re up for a mixed bag, you’ll also find yellow perch in the west zone, though numbers are lower east of Cleveland and the daily limit has just dropped to 20 in that stretch. The western basin is still hot though, and you can fill a cooler if you work at it[4].

    Along the lakefront and in the lower stretches of the rivers, the smallmouth bass bite is excellent. The lake-run smallmouths are in, with lots of fish over 18 inches reported. Tube jigs in olive, Ned rigs, and smaller crankbaits that mimic shad or goby patterns are the reliable producers. There are still a few lingering steelhead in the rivers, but that's winding down fast. If you want to go for the “silver and bronze” double, now’s the time: a big smallie and a bonus steelhead in the same morning is a real possibility on the Rocky[1][2][3][5].

    Best bait for smallmouth are soft plastics—ned rigs or tubes—and for walleye, try trolling Bandit or Flicker Minnow crankbaits in perch or firetiger patterns, or drifting worm harnesses with bright blades. Minnows and leeches will work for perch if you can find a school.

    For hot spots, check out the Edgewater breakwall or the mouth of the Cuyahoga for a crack at walleye and smallies. Inside the mouth of the Rocky River and along the E 72nd St. marina are also producing well for bass. If you want some sheltered fishing, the marinas and harbor mouths can be great, especially as water clarity improves.

    That’s the rundown for today. Get out early, beat the storms, and good luck out there. Fish on!
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    3 m
  • "Walleye and Smallmouth Slam on Lake Erie's Cleveland Shoreline"

    "Walleye and Smallmouth Slam on Lake Erie's Cleveland Shoreline"
    May 23 2025
    Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your Friday, May 23rd fishing report for Lake Erie and the Cleveland shoreline.

    The weather over Lake Erie today is shaping up nicely for a day on the water. Conditions are stable and should remain mostly dry, with moderate winds and temperatures expected in the comfortable spring range. Sunrise hit around 5:57 AM and sunset will be at 8:49 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to work the water. There is no significant tidal effect on Lake Erie, but pay attention if we get more rain, as local rivers like the Rocky and Chagrin can rise and turn muddy pretty quickly, impacting clarity near river mouths.

    Recent fishing around Cleveland has been outstanding, and the lakefront is delivering the goods. Walleye fishing is still in full swing—anglers are catching solid numbers, with Central Basin catches including good eaters and the occasional trophy. Best bets for walleye have been trolling with deep-diving crankbaits, especially in natural shad or perch patterns, as well as harness rigs tipped with nightcrawlers. Early mornings and late evenings are producing the best bite as fish move into shallower water to feed.

    Smallmouth bass are also showing up in numbers along the lakefront, rocky points, and river mouths. Most fish are running between 3 to 4 pounds, with some pushing five. The highlight remains the lake-run smallmouth bite—these hard-fighting bronzebacks are crushing tube jigs (three-inch olive has been hot), Ned rigs, swimbaits, and spinners. A few steelhead are still mixed in, especially in the East Branch of the Rocky River, though that run is winding down.

    Mixed bag action is strong—anglers are reporting yellow perch, the odd channel catfish, and bonus white bass, especially near current seams or river mouths.

    For bait, nightcrawlers and emerald shiners are your best natural bets for walleye and perch. For bass, stick to artificial lures: tubes, Ned rigs, and minnow-mimicking swimbaits are working best. Streamer flies that look like gobies or shad will also draw bites, especially for fly anglers.

    If you’re looking for hot spots today, try the Cleveland Harbor breakwalls, the E72nd Street access, Edgewater Park, or the mouth of the Rocky River. The Cleveland Metroparks and river mouths have all been producing.

    Take advantage of the conditions before any rain moves in and muddies things up. Good luck and tight lines from Artificial Lure—see you on the water!
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    3 m
  • Smallmouth Bonanza and Walleye Delight: Fishing the Cleveland Lakefront on a Spring Day

    Smallmouth Bonanza and Walleye Delight: Fishing the Cleveland Lakefront on a Spring Day
    May 21 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie and Cleveland fishing report for Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Spring has been treating anglers to steady action, and today’s shaping up to be another solid day on the water.

    Sunrise was at 5:58 AM, with sunset coming at 8:47 PM. Weather-wise, expect mostly cloudy skies early, with the possibility of rain and some wind building up through the afternoon. Water remains in good shape for now, but if the rain picks up like forecasted, rivers could get a little stained, so it’s wise to hit your spots early.

    In terms of lake activity, smallmouth bass continue to steal the show along the Cleveland lakefront and in nearby rivers like the Rocky and Chagrin. The bite has been strong, both in the rivers and out into the bays and near-shore shallows. Anglers are landing excellent numbers of lake-run smallies, with a few steelhead still hanging around the river mouths—always a bonus for anyone looking for that “silver and bronze” combo in a single outing. Walleye fishing is good just off the shoreline in the evenings, and the day bite is picking up for those trolling deeper[1][2][4][5].

    Best lures for smallmouth right now are 3 inch olive tube jigs, Ned rigs, medium crankbaits that mimic shad or goby, and spinnerbaits. Don’t shy away from tossing streamer flies if you like to fly fish—anything resembling a minnow will get hit. For walleye, stick to jigging or casting with blade baits and swimbaits, or troll with deep-diving crankbaits as the bite gets stronger in the evening.

    If you’re targeting trout, the East Branch Rocky River and local ponds like Wallace and Shadow Lakes are stocked and producing well on PowerBait, trout worms, and small spinners[1][2].

    Recent reports have anglers catching mixed bags—smallmouths in the three to four pound range are common, with some pushing five pounds. Walleye have been solid, with several fish in the 18 to 24 inch class landed near the Cleveland breakwall and east towards Euclid. A few leftover steelhead are still striking in the faster river water, especially after a rain.

    For hotspots, try the mouth of the Rocky River and the breakwall off Edgewater Park for smallmouth. For walleye, the stretch between Gordon Park and Wildwood Marina has produced well during the evening bite. Don’t overlook the harbors and feeder creek mouths if the wind is up.

    That’s the scoop for today. Get your gear ready, check the latest weather, and hit the water early to beat the rain. Tight lines from Artificial Lure.
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    3 m
  • Springtime Smallies and Walleyes Thrive in Cleveland's Rivers and Shoreline

    Springtime Smallies and Walleyes Thrive in Cleveland's Rivers and Shoreline
    May 19 2025
    Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie, Cleveland fishing report for this fine Monday morning, May 19, 2025.

    The fishing scene around Cleveland is absolutely popping right now! We've got excellent numbers of lake-run smallmouth bass in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers, with conditions looking pretty decent for today. There's been some rain in the forecast lately, so get out while the getting's good.

    Speaking of smallies, they've been hitting medium-sized minnow and shad crankbaits like nobody's business. If you're looking to hook into these bronzebacks, don't leave home without your spinners, tube jigs (that 3-inch olive color is money), and Ned rigs. Fly anglers, bring those streamer flies that mimic minnows or gobies.

    For you walleye chasers, the post-spawn bite after dark has been a bit slow, but persistent anglers are still connecting with some nice fish. Try casting those larger Perfect 10 or Husky Jerk shallow diving stickbaits for best results.

    The Cleveland shoreline is offering a mixed bag right now - largemouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, and even a few late-season steelhead if you're lucky. You might even score the coveted "silver and bronze" - landing both a steelhead and a big smallmouth on the same trip!

    Over in the bay, smallmouth continue to move in with good numbers being reported. Interestingly, folks are picking up some bonus largemouth while targeting those smallies. Fish are holding both shallow and deep, so you've got options on how to approach them.

    Hot spots? You can't go wrong with the Rocky River Main Branch or East Branch right now. Wallace Lake is another solid bet, but heads up - the north side of the swimming area was closed until yesterday for a children's fishing derby, so it should be open again now.

    All the courtesy docks are installed at Metroparks public boat launches, and the E72nd fish cleaning station is open and ready for your catch.

    Weather-wise, we've had a decent stretch, but keep an eye on those conditions. The wind might kick up a bit as we move through the day.

    That's the word from the water for today, folks! This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and full creels to all you Cleveland anglers. Get out there while these spring conditions are holding, and remember - a bad day fishing still beats a good day at work!
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    3 m
  • Cleveland Fishing Report May 18, 2025: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Mixed Bag Bites Highlight Spring Conditions

    Cleveland Fishing Report May 18, 2025: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Mixed Bag Bites Highlight Spring Conditions
    May 18 2025
    Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie, Cleveland fishing report for May 18, 2025. We’re kicking off the day with classic spring conditions: sunrise hit around 6:05 AM and sunset is expected at 8:39 PM. The weather is fair and mild to start, with light winds, but keep an eye out—the wind could pick up by mid-day, which may add some chop to open-water fishing, especially on Saturday and into tonight. No major tides to report this time of year for Lake Erie, but shifts in wind can act like a pseudo-tide impacting where fish stage along the breaks and shorelines.

    Smallmouth bass are still the main draw around Cleveland’s harbors, breakwalls, and in the shallows. Both largemouth and smallmouth are lighting up for anglers, with smallies being caught in good numbers using ned rigs and drop shots in the shallows, while swimbaits and jigs are working deeper out in the bay. If you’re targeting rock piles or structure near shore, don’t overlook the classic tube or a subtle soft jerkbait for a pressured bite.

    Walleye action after dark is still the best game going, especially for the post-spawn fish. Success has been reported trolling or casting larger stickbaits like Perfect 10s and Husky Jerks in shallow water. Fish are definitely scattered—persistent anglers are pulling a few quality fish each night, but don’t expect a crazy hot bite during daylight hours just yet[1][5].

    In the harbor and near the river mouths, a mixed bag is possible. Northern pike, rock bass, yellow perch, steelhead, and sunfish are in the mix, and most area courtesy docks in Metroparks and cleaning stations are open. For numbers, the smallmouth bass bite has been very steady, and walleye catches are spotty but consistent for the hard-working nighttime crews[1][5].

    Best baits right now:

    - Smallmouth: Ned rigs, drop shots with goby or shad imitations, soft jerkbaits, and tubes.
    - Walleye: Shallow-diving stickbaits in darker colors for night, glow patterns if the water muddies up.
    - Perch and panfish: Live minnows or a plain jig tipped with waxworm near the bottom.

    Hot spots to check out: East 72nd Street Marina breakwall is always a favorite for early morning smallmouth and nighttime walleye. Edgewater Park and the breakwalls near the mouth of the Rocky River are also producing well for mixed species. Don’t be afraid to move and try different depths as fish are still transitioning post-spawn.

    If you’re heading out, remember the Cleveland Metroparks fish cleaning station at E72nd is open—let’s keep it clean for everyone. Good luck and tight lines from your local source, Artificial Lure[1][5][4]!
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    3 m
  • 05/17/2025 Lake Erie Fishing Report: Mixed Bag Bites for Walleye, Smallmouth, and More

    05/17/2025 Lake Erie Fishing Report: Mixed Bag Bites for Walleye, Smallmouth, and More
    May 17 2025
    This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Erie and Cleveland area fishing report for Saturday, May 17, 2025.

    We’re rolling into another beautiful spring day along Lake Erie’s southern shore. Sunrise today was at 6:04 am, and sunset will come around 8:42 pm, giving you plenty of daylight to get lines wet. We may have some rain moving in, so conditions on the rivers could change fast, but right now the water’s in good shape and the bite is on.

    Out on the lakefront, anglers are picking up a mixed bag. Walleye fishing after dark has been a tad slow overall, but luck favors the persistent. Best bets for nighttime walls are shallow diving stickbaits—try larger Perfect 10s or Husky Jerks in darker colors. Work breakwalls, piers, and harbors after sundown for your shot at a big one. During the day, folks are also reporting action on the classic blade baits and jigs for walleye, especially when the water has a little chop to it.

    Smallmouth are the current stars, both in the lake and up in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers. The lake-run bass are aggressive now, hitting medium-size minnow or shad crankbaits, white or olive tube jigs (three inches is the ticket), and Ned rigs. Spinnerbaits and streamer flies working the minnow/goby angle are producing too. If you’re lucky, you might hook into one of the last steelhead hanging in the rivers—so it’s a real “silver and bronze” season.

    Off the piers and harbor mouths, you’ll find a mix of largemouth bass, northern pike (best hit on soft swimbaits or hard baits), rock bass, yellow perch, and even some nice panfish. Perch and bluegill are schooling up, especially near docks and rocky structure in the morning. Try drop-shot rigs or jig and bobber setups tipped with smaller soft plastics or live minnows.

    Bait-wise, live shiners, nightcrawlers, and leeches are steady producers for most species right now. Don’t overlook artificial lures though—especially those olive or white tube jigs and swimbaits for bass and pike.

    Hot spots to try today include:
    - Edgewater Park breakwall and E72nd Street fishing area for mixed species and nighttime walleye.
    - The mouth and lower stretches of the Rocky River and Chagrin River for smallmouth, and a possible late steelhead.
    - Gordon Park and Wildwood Marina for perch and spring pike.

    Bonus tip: If you’re bringing the kids out, remember the Children’s Spring Fishing Derby at Wallace Lake today—just steer clear of closed areas until after the event.

    Good luck, keep an eye on the weather, and tight lines from Artificial Lure. See you on the water![1][2][5]
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    3 m
  • "Springtime Shoreline Action on Lake Erie Near Cleveland"

    "Springtime Shoreline Action on Lake Erie Near Cleveland"
    May 16 2025
    Artificial Lure here checking in from the Lake Erie shoreline near Cleveland on this fine Friday, May 16, 2025. Sunrise hit at 6:06 AM and you can look forward to casting until sunset at 8:37 PM. The day kicked off with steady temps in the upper 50s early, warming into the mid 60s by midday, with calm to light northwest winds and mostly cloudy skies—a near perfect setup for shoreline and pier action.

    The water in the main lake and harbors is sitting in the low 60s, and clarity is solid after a few dry days. No tides to worry about here on the Great Lakes, but river flows on the Rocky and Chagrin are in good shape. There’s rain in the forecast for the weekend, so today and tomorrow morning are your prime windows to get out before conditions get muddy.

    Lake-run smallmouth are the headline this week, with excellent numbers moving through the rivers and piling up along rocky shorelines and breakwalls. Anglers are reporting steady catches from the Rocky River mouth, Edgewater Park, and E72nd Street. Tube jigs in olive or goby patterns, Ned rigs, and minnow-imitating crankbaits are top producers. Don’t be afraid to throw small swimbaits or a flashy spinner, especially if the wind kicks up some chop[1][2][4].

    A few steelhead are still around, especially early and late, and some lucky folks have been landing the “silver and bronze” double of a steelhead and a big smallie from the same pool. Steelhead action is tapering off, but a smaller spawn sac or minnow under a float can still get bit if you spot some stragglers[2].

    Walleye are always a draw in Cleveland this time of year, but the after-dark bite along the shore has been a little slow lately. Still, persistent anglers are sticking a few trophy fish tossing Husky Jerks and Perfect 10 stickbaits parallel to the rocks. The east-facing piers and the breakwalls at Wildwood and E55th are best at dusk and after sunset when the bigger eyes come up shallow[2].

    Elsewhere in the harbors, you’ll find mixed bags of largemouth and rock bass, plus yellow perch and sunfish starting to show. For panfish, small crappie tubes or worms under a float will load up the kids’ buckets[2].

    Two hot spots today: The mouth of the Rocky River and the E72nd Street fishing area for smallmouth and multi-species action. For a shot at nighttime walleye, try the E55th Street breakwall or Edgewater Park after dark.

    Best baits right now: olive tube jigs, Ned rigs, shad-imitating crankbaits, and for walleye, shallow-running stickbaits in metallic or clown patterns. Live minnows or nightcrawlers will tempt just about anything if the lure bite slows.

    That’s the latest from Lake Erie and the Cleveland shoreline. Tight lines and enjoy what’s shaping up to be a beautiful spring bite.
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    3 m
  • Smallmouth Surge, Walleye Bounty - Lake Erie Fishing Report May 14, 2025

    Smallmouth Surge, Walleye Bounty - Lake Erie Fishing Report May 14, 2025
    May 14 2025
    Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your mid-May Lake Erie and Cleveland fishing report for today, May 14, 2025.

    The spring action is really heating up around our waters! Lake Erie and our local rivers are offering some fantastic opportunities right now. We've had a decent stretch of weather, though those significant rains predicted earlier this month have made river conditions a bit unpredictable. Be sure to check those flow gauges before heading out.

    The absolute highlight right now is the lake-run smallmouth bass fishing. These fighters are running strong in both the Rocky and Chagrin rivers. They're absolutely crushing medium-sized minnow or shad crankbaits, spinners, and olive-colored 3-inch tube jigs. Ned rigs are also producing well if you're looking to switch things up. For you fly anglers, anything that mimics a minnow or goby will get their attention.

    There are still a few steelhead hanging around, though that run is tapering off quickly. If you're lucky, you might score what locals call the "silver and bronze" - landing both a steelhead and a big smallie in the same spot on the same outing. That's bragging rights material right there!

    For walleye enthusiasts, the Cleveland shoreline has been producing steadily. Captain Ross's latest report indicates walleye fishing on Lake Erie is really picking up as we move deeper into May.

    Don't overlook the stocked rainbow trout in East Branch Rocky River, Wallace Lake, and Shadow Lake if you're looking for something different. These stockers are taking a variety of baits and providing good action for anglers of all skill levels.

    Some hot spots to consider: The mouths of the Rocky and Chagrin rivers are prime territory for smallmouth right now. Reports indicate the lower sections of Erie tributaries are still yielding results, though the steelhead action there is winding down. For panfish and perch, the bay is your best bet, but be prepared to move around to find the active schools.

    With summer approaching, we're seeing longer fishing days with earlier sunrises and later sunsets, giving you plenty of daylight to land that trophy catch. The warming trend should only improve fishing conditions in the coming weeks.

    Remember folks, the fishing report blog from Cleveland Metroparks gets updated every Thursday through May, so check back tomorrow for the freshest intel.

    This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and see you on the water!
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    3 m
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