2003 Reports Archive

December 12, 2003 (Friday) Nothing doing on the big lake that I have heard of. Water is muddy, wind is blowing and most folks are waiting on ice in.

Sue and I are getting the motor home ready to travel, stocking up with what little we need to take and a couple of changes of clothes. Only problem is what to take, looks a lot like what I take to the lake in the spring, cold weather gear, some early spring outfits and a couple of hot weather changes.

I did manage to get past all my doctor visits, stress test and the like without any major problems. The only thing I have left is the removal of three or four suspicious looking spots (moles) next week. Once that is over we will be ready for the holidays with the family and plan on leaving for Texas the morning of the 26th. If I am able to find Internet connections (phone line, WiFi, etc) I plan to update this site with our travel adventures and locations. I know all you “working types” who will be up to your armpits in snow by then will be looking forward to hearing about J.

December 04, 2003 (Thursday) Only a couple of reports in the last week, some folks are shore fishing off Huron, Marblehead, Lakeside and Catawba but it is slow going with few fish being taken. The same holds true for boat fisherman, the water had been quite muddy since the storms but is starting to clear. That could change as more storms are predicted this week.

November 27, 2003 (Thanksgiving Day) On this day when we set around and stuff ourselves I try and take the time to stop and think about what we have to thankful for. Our ancestors who worked and sacrificed so that we would have what we now enjoy, for our families and the joy they bring, that we live in a free nation where we can do and say those things that we to often take for granted, where we have a place like Lake Erie to enjoy and reap its bounty but most of all I am thankful for a loving and forgiving God who watches over us. May God bless each and every one of us.

dean

 PS I have been doing some work on “helpful hint” and “personal stuff” pages.

November 26, 2003 (Wednesday) Perch are still hitting with good to great reports. Latest report from Rocky River tells of limit catches with many jumbos being taken in 46 feet of water, NNE of the river.

The metro park docks have been pulled but the public ramp is still accessible.

November 24, 2003 (Monday) Only a couple of reports from over the weekend. Walleye fishing is very slow with catches of zero to 2 or 3 being about normal. While large schools of walleye are reported off Vermilion and Huron there is also a huge school of bait-fish that the walleye are following, so they are not hungry. This could be good news for the coming season, if the walleye are well fed this winter the survival rate should be good and the smaller (this years young) have a better chance to grow up and be big walleye in coming seasons.
November 20, 2003 (Thursday) Walleye fishing continues to be slow with the only good prospects I hear of being night fishing off Huron. Usually you don't have to go out far this time of year but there seems to be an abundance of forage (bait) fish all over the lake and the walleye are just not very hungry. Perch fishing is still going strong most all over with best spots reported being off the Huron River and west of Kelleys Island off the airport opening.
November 15, 2003 (Saturday) I am still receiving a few reports, some (1 to 3) walleye are being caught off Vermilion and Huron but the storms really messed up the lake but it is supposed to lay down this weekend. Speaking of storms I got a report saying that several boat went down at a Edgewater marina, waves were up around 17 feet with winds in the 35 to 70 mph range.

The ramps have been pulled at Sandusky City, Mazurics and Catawba.

November 11, 2003 (Tuesday) I am hoping for a few more report from the weekend but what I have so far says that the walleye were right in from of Vermilion. Limits of good to fish-O size walleye were taken around the 28/23 lines. Perch reports sound good NE of Kelleys Island around the 40/33 lines.
November 10, 2003 (Monday) still a few reports coming in from Huron and Port Clinton. Walleye are still being caught off Huron around Saw Mill Creek and Cranberry Creek, mostly by trollers. Some folks have switched to night fishing in these areas. Perch fishing is still going on off Cedar Point, Cranberry Creek and NE of Kelleys Island.
November 6, 2003 (Thursday) I am still getting reports of great perch fishing out from Marble Head light and off Cedar Point. If the weather holds there is still fishing to do.
November 3, 2003 (Monday) it sounds like they are still taking walleye right out in front of Huron around the 27/27 lines and west a few miles. This is consistent with the pattern over the last few weeks. I expect the walleye to continue west toward Sawmill Creek and Cedar Point IF the weather does not break up the pattern. Perch fisherman continue to do well as I received reports from both Port Clinton (Clinton Reef) and in front of Marble Head light of limit catches of good to jumbo perch.
November 2, 2003 (Sunday) we attended the walleye central dinner at Huron Friday evening and got to meet a lot of people who until then had only been names on e-mail. I get a "large charge" out of meeting you folks and being able to talk to you in person.

I received two reports from the past few days both are perch reports but were from different ends of the lake.

First was from two guys fishing out of Lorain, who limited with 60 nice perch including 20 that were jumbos. They then tried trolling for walleye but came up with only one 24 inch steel head. The other report is from the Toledo shipping channel, near the turn round buoy, where three folks limited with 90 perch all over 8 inches with the largest being 12 3/4 inches.

November 2, 2002 (Sunday) we attended the walleye central dinner at Huron Friday evening and got to meet a lot of people who until then had only been names on a e-mail. I get a "large charge" out of meeting you folks and being able to talk to you in person.

I received two reports from the past few days, both are perch reports but were from different ends of the lake.
First was from two guys fishing out of Lorain, who limited with 60 nice perch including 20 that were jumbos. The then tried trolling for walleye but came up with only one 24 inch steel head. The other report is from the Toledo shipping channel, near the turn around buoy,  where three folks limited with 90 perch all over 8 inches with the largest being 12 3/4 inches.
October 30, 2003 (Thursday) the weather is looking good for the coming weekend and the walleye central get together at Huron. The dinner will be at 6:00 PM Friday evening at Metzenburgs, which is on Cleveland Rd. in Huron, just west of the Boat Basin. For further information, go to the main page of walleye central. Sue and I plan to attend so look us up and say hi, we are looking forward to meeting you.

I need to re visit a couple of things that several folks have been asking about.

First when I give number such as in yesterdays post, I am talking about the middle sets of number in the gps co ordinance (latitude / longitude) numbers. So when I say 27/28 I am using short hand for 41 27.000N by 082 28.000W.

 Next the new fishing regulations (Ohio) for the 2004/2005-year have been finalized and approved. Basically the difference is a 15 inch minimum on walleye, 3 fish limit in March and April instead of 4 and no treble hooks in rivers and streams during the March April spawn. BUT to see the article published by DNR click on the following link;

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/News/conservation_erie101603.htm

October 29, 2003 (Wednesday) the walleye off Huron seem to be moving west, the reports I am getting indicate. Spots where walleye have been reported taken are 26/26, then 27/27 allowed by 27/28 and finally 27/31. Some are being caught on deep diving aits but the old program that worked all year of dipeys or jet diver pulling spoons is still talking the majority of walleye.

It is kind of sad; most of the reports I get tell of final trips for the season and pulled boats. I expect that after the walleye central get together this weekend it will be all but over until spring. There are a few "die hard" that will keep after them until the ice starts but the majority of folks will be done soon if not already.

Sue and I plan on being at the get together in Huron, Friday evening and hope to see many of you there. I will not b hard to spot, I have a blue dress shirt with "Denied" embroidered on the front and back,so be sure to look me up and say hi. Don't be afraid to talk loud to me as my hearing in not to great and the crowd noise makes it much worse. Getting old is a pain but it beats the alternative.

Otober 27, 2003 (Moday) the weekend walleye bite was "spotty" at best. The weather had the fish scattered and they had not schooled back up. Huron to Cranberry Creek was as good of an area as any with good size walleye caught in the 28 to 34 feet of water working best. Spoons are still working well behind dipsy's and jet divers but lots of folk are switching to deep diver baits like Thunder Sticks, Husky Jerks and Reef Runners. Purple demon; wonder bread and Blue Chrome were the better colors.

Perch fisherman are still doing well off Huron River and east of Kelley's Island using live shiners or if live one are unavailable then the dried / salted one also work.

October 25, 2003 (Saturday) got a couple of reports from the last few days. The walleye bite off Huron has been slow of late due to bad weather that scattered the fish. Some walleye are being taken but fishing is tough, 27/25 lines, to 27/23 seem to be where most folks are fishing of late. Perch fishing is going better with limits being caught is a few hours. Best spots reported were 34/19 lines (near the center of the sand bar) and right on Niagara Reef.

October 24, 2003 (Friday) Sue ad I just got back from three days in the Smokes. It was a trial trip fr us, and the motor hoe to see what we needed to learn. Not too bad, we did find several things we need to do before taking off for the big trip in January. We may make some more short trips to iron out the wrinkles in the next weeks.

I had forgotten how bad I hated crowds; even on weekdays the Gatlinburg area is loaded with people. It has to be the biggest tourist trap I know of.

No report of folks fishing the big lake, but s soon as I get some I will pass it on.

October 19, 2003 (Monday) I am getting several good reports out of Huron/Vermilion area. 27/23 lines down close to the mouth of the uron River, took good ize walleye all the way. 27/28 to the 29/26.5 also did will, jet 40s back 135 to 145, also higher fish with jet 30s back 100 to 120 feet. The wave are around 2 feet this afternoon even though the "weather guessers" are predicting 3 to 5s going to 4 to 8 feet.

NOTE: I have put together 16 of what I consider my best pictures of the 2003 season. There are some walleye picture, some people and some sunsets. I have put them into a slide show format. The file is 4 MB, which is too big in my opinion o large for anyone using a dial up modem, it wouldtake forever to down load. If your on cable or dsn and feel your system will handle a 4 MB file and you would like to see these pictures send me an e-mail and I will send them to you.

dean

October 19, 2003October 19, 2003 (Sunday) I only have a couple of reports but they are good ones. Reports of walleye being taken 8 miles out off Cranberry Creek in 44 to 45 feet of water pulling night crawler harnesses, also west of the sand bar around the area we worked the last couple of weeks

Perch are also still outside the Huron and Vermilion rivers, Sawmill Creek and two miles east of Kelley’s Island.

October 18, 2003 (Saturday) There has been a lot of comments on some other web sites regarding the reduced walleye quota starting next season. I am not sue all understand the depth or complexity of this issue so I am going to sick my neck out and try and explain what I understand it to be.

First of all the Quotas are set by an international body, the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission (GLFC). They have determined that the overall quoa of walleye to be taken in Lake Erie should be educed by 40 to 60 percent to insure the health of the overall walleye population. It is up to each state and Onario to determine how they will meet these quota reductions. Since Ohio had only been getting about 50% of its quota allowed in the past years we only need to reduce the walleye take by something in the range of 10% under last years to meet our obligation. Ontario on the other hand consistently takes 100% of their quota due to the commercial fishing, so they will be taking a 40 to 60% reduction vs. our 10%. In the long run the sport fisherman in Ohio are not going to feel much of an effect while the Ontario commercial fishing industry ill take a major hit.

Sure the reduction from 4 to 3 walleye in March and April will hurt some folks but if they would emphasize quality (size) raher than numbers the fisherman will continue to come back. The 15-inch limit is a no brainier and in my opinion should have been done years ago.

So when you hear folks say what we are doing won't help don't forget that it is the overall reduction that makes the difference. Sure we are getting off light but to do nothing in Ohio would have lead to Ontario also doing nothing. Personally I feel that ODNR and the other folks involved have done a great job in the past and continue to do so

October 17, 2003 (Friday) we moved the boat back home yesterday, wave were 2 to 3 feet and the water was very muddy between Huron and West Harbor. A few perch fisherman ere out but I don't know how they did. This will be the end of my "first hand" reports but if I get updates I will post them.

We are planning on attending the Walleye Central get together at Huron on the 31st and hope to see lots of you there.

 The Ohio DNR has posted the revised fishing regulations for Lake Erie and the link follows. While I sympathize with anyone who will loose income by the changes I am in agreement with them. I think of it as the nursery story about the goose that laid the golden egg. We need to do all we can to see that the goose continues to be health.

 http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/News/conservation_erie101603.htm

October 16, 2003 (Thursday) At 6:30AM the temperature is 53 degrees, wind is WSW at15 to 18knots, waves at the buoy are 2.3 feet and he water temperature is 57 degrees. No one u on the lake yesterday but today s looking better with the lake starting to lay down. IF this continues it may be fish able over the weekend but I expect the walleye to be scattered.

I am going to try and bring the boat back from Huron this morning and into the marina at Catawba where they will pull and winterize her. I got a days work just to get the boat unloaded, pull the batteries, winterize the head, ect. so that she can be covered and put to bed for the winter. We plan on heading south this weekend.

October 15, 2003 (Wednesday) we had a weather frnt come through yesterday afternoon with high wind and rain. The 6am temperature s 48 degrees, wind is WNW t 3 o 35 knots, waves at the buoy are 6.2 feet and the water temperature is 58 degrees. Some charters and larger boat were out yesterday off the 36.5/25.5 lines and took Walleye until the wind ad wave forced them off the lake in the early afternoon. The forecast for the rest of the week does not look good with high winds and waves up into the weekend.

I have had a couple of questions regarding why we were going to pull the boat this week and if that meant that the fishing season was over. We have been at the lake since he last day of March and have fished anywhere from 1 to 5 days pr week depending on what the weather allowed The fact is we are tired and have al the fish we can possible eat before next season. We also have bought use motor home ad intend to see some of the warmer part of the country this winter and I need time to get it ready before the cold weather set in, so it is time to give the walleye a rest. That does not mean the fishing season is over, to the contrary some of the best is yet to come. If you can get a break out of the weather there are lots of walleye to be caught and the chance of taking a "wall hanger" is good.

October 14, 2003 (Tuesday) The 11am temperature is 59 degrees, wind is SE at 14 to 18 knots, wave were 1.6 feet at 9AM and were 2.0 feet at 10AM. Forecasts are for 3 to 5s going to 4 to 7 feet by evening. We have decided to take off today and tomorrow due to the weather but hope to be back Thursday and Friday, and then pull the boat Saturday.

Several charters are working the3/25 lines today and are taking god-sized walleye. Perch still are most all over the lake so if the weekend weather is good i will be good time to come to the lake.

October 13, 2003 (Monday) it has been a really great day; wind has been calm and the lake flat. We just got in (7PM) with another four-person limit. We started toward the north end of the sand bar (about 12:30PM) but stopped several laces along he way to check for marks. At the 36/25 we marked some good fish with some marks rising off the bottom, which indicates active fish to me. In a short time (1 hour) we found an active school of walleye and stayed with them until we limited. Most all were good size walleye24 to 9 inches. The program was same and we have been using, dipsy's st on 1 and 3 down 85 and 105 feet, jet 40s back 100 feet. The only thing we did different was to put out a trolling sock and drop our speed from 2.5 to 2.0 mph. I think that made a big difference. IF you are having a bad day and can't get a handle on the fish you might want to try pulling a sock or if you don't have on try an five gallon bucket off a short rope.

October 12, 203 (Sunday) There is a light rain falling this morning, wind is out of the SW a 13 to 18 knots, wavesat the buy are 2 feet and the water temperature is 60 degres. Yesterday was a good day for fisherman, lots of perch caught jut about all over the lake with the best spots that I heard of being off the Huron River both directions, out off the sand bar and south of West Reef. Walleye continue to be caught out around the 36/22 to 38/23 lines with many large walleye being taken mostly right on the bottom. It is still a spoon bite but some are being caught on deep running crank baits.

Our plan is to fish this week, weather permitting then close up next weekend. I will continue to update the report but it will depend on reports from others rather than first hand information. It has been the best season I have ever had on this Great Lake I am still looking for that one big walleye (>33 inches) but the fun is in the search not necessaril he catch, so I am already fulfilled.

I have added some pictures of walleye caught in the last couple of weeks. Click on this link to view them and there will be a link in pictures and maps page as well.

October 11, 2003 (Saturday) the morning temperature is 59 degrees, wind is calm, waves are 1 to 2 feet and the water temperature is 6 derees. We took yesterday and today of, four days in a row is lot for this old crew. Lots of folk fished up around the center of the sand bar (34/22) again yesterday and again took some good-sized walleye. The numbers for most were less than limits but the numbers are less important tan the size this time of ear. If the weather holds we are looking forward to another great week of fishing as he walleye will soon start moving in closer to Huron, a least that is what they normally do. Perch fishing is great around the island with the better spots being, south of West Reef, the old C can locate north of Kelley Shoals and off Cedar Point.

October 10, 2003 (Friday) There is a gentle rain falling this morning, but I don't think it wall keep anyone from fishing. The morning temperature is 61 degrees, wind is east at 4 to 6 knots, waves at the buy are calm and the water temperature is 60 degrees.

We went out on the sand bar again yesterday afternoon, we were around the 36/22 lines, a little north of Wednesday’s location. We only kept 13 walleye but at this stage of the game we are only after the big ones and put lots of smaller ones back for next year. We did finally break the 30-inch barrier with a 30 1/2 inch walleye that my buddy Norm pulled. We use the same program as we have been using, best color spoons were P's Blue Marlin, Gret White and Bull Shark. Other spoons that worked well were Netcrafters Killer Bee and Monkey Puke.

The season is winding down for us with maybe another week to go. We have been blessed with a week of really great weather and if it turns bad right now I don't have anything to complain about.

A couple of nights ago a fellow called me on the radio and thanked me for the web site, that was followed by similar responses from a number of people, it made an old mans day, you are most welcome.

REMEMBER; tomorrow is the benefit tournament at Huron, it should be a great day.

October 9, 2003

Yesterday afternoon we again went out of Huron but we had information that the bite out around the 29/31 lines had died but the walleye were hitting out off the sand bar around the 34/22 lines, which is just off the center of the bar. Anyway we ran out there which was about 1 mile out of Huron River and trolld usin two large dipsy and to jet 40s off small boards off both sides of the boat. Dipsy's were back 85 feet on a 1 setting and 105 feet on a 3 setting, jet 40s were back 140 feet each off the small boards. Both the jets and dipsy were pulling spoons, both the small scorpion size and the larger ones that are around3 inches in length (we switch around depending on which one the walleye seem to like best). Best colors were red (raspberry), orange (chicken wings) and anything with some bright red r florescent orange. We ended up with 15 nice size walleye, mostly in the mid 20 inch range with a few in the 27 and28 inch range but none over 30 inches.

It was a really great evening on the lake with less than a foot of chop, calm winds and shirtsleeve weather. I am thankful for such a great place o fish, ood companions and all the great people that fish this fine place.

October 8, 2003 (Wednesday) the 6am temperature is 55 degrees, wind is SSW at 11 to 14 knots, waves are 13 feet and he water temperature is 58 degrees at the boy.

We went back out off Huron yesterday afternoon about 1pm. Fished the same area as Monday, around the 29/31 lines and a mile or so forth. We ended up with 12 walleye, al of which were very good size. They ran from 24to 29 inches with the largest being 29 inches and weighing 9 1/2 lbs. It was a slow bite with most fish coming in singles, only once did we get two in a row. Again the walleye were flat on the bottom, we ran big dipsy on 1 and 3 settings back 85 ad 105 feet, jet 40s back from 140 to 175 feet off small boards, we were in 42 foot of water. Best color spoons seem to be any with some bright orange or pink on them such as chicken wings, perch, boy-girl, etc. Once when we had a long dry spell I put on an old AC shiner in bright orange and got a hit right away but onl one. We did end up taking a couple on small, sallow diving crank baits ran behind thedipsy's. I think this evening about dusk I will switch to some large noisy cranks baits just before dark and see if that will wake up the walleye. In m opinion the really good bite is yet to come but could happen anytime, maybe tonight. Several drifters were working the same area but I did not see them pull ay walleye, but I did not spend a lot of tie watching them either.

The perch bite is good just outside the mouth of the Huron River and off the "Castle" which is between Vermilion and Huron near Cranberry Creek. Also I hear perch are being taken in limits east of Kelley's Island and off Lucy's Point which is the northeast corner of Middle Bass Island.

(Monday UPDATE) it is 9Pm and we just got in from Huron. We only got nine walleye but all were 25 inches or larger. The walleye are not feeding much, all we got were one at a time, not like you see when they re turned on. I expect tomorrow and the rest of the week to be good to great if the weather hold. We were around the 29/31 line in 45 foot of water al evening, the marks are there but the never seemed to get active. Dipsy (#1 large) 1 and 3 settings back 80 and 105 feet, jet 40s back 110 to 150 feet. Best color spoon was chicken wings and killer bee. We plan on going back tomorrow afternoon so the next report will be tomorrow night or Wednesday morning.

October 6, 203 (Monday) The 7 am temperature is 48 degrees, wind is out of the SW at 7 o 10 knots, waves are 1 foot and the water temperature is 58 degrees.

Some walleye were taken off Huron yesterday, around the28/30 lines, in less than limit numbers, BUT they were large fish in the 24 inch and up range. Perch fisherman continue to o well out off the sand bar, outside the mouth of the Huron and Vermilion Rivers and east of Kelley's Island.

We are going fishing this afternoon so I will have an update either tonight or in the morning. The weather is looking good for the next week to 10 days, the water temperature had dropped significantly and the fish are out there. I expect the next week to two weeks to be prime fishing times, but time and the weather will tell.

October 5, 2003 (Sunday) the 7:30AM temperature is 46 degrees, wind is out of the WNW at 11 to 16 knots, waves at the buoy are 2 feet and the water temperature is 59 degrees. The weather predictions for he next days (thru Thursday) are looking good with waves of 2 feet or less predicted. Hopefully the water ill clear up and we will be able to get back on the lake tomorrow.

October 4, 2003 (Saturday) the 7:30Am temperature is 50 degree, wind is out of the west at 17 to 20 knots, wave at the buoy are 2.3 feet and the water temperature is 59 degrees. The predictions for next week are looking better with 3 to 5 foot wave Sunday decreasing to 1 to 3s. Monday thru Wednesday is looking good with 1to s predicted. Lets hope this blow is over and we can get in some fishing next week, with only a few weeks left we are running out of time. I am not one to like to fish after cold weather sets in besides I am getting tired of giving weather reports when its fishing reports that I want to do.

October 3, 2003 (Friday) the 10am temperature is 49 degrees, wind is out of the south at 25 to 32 knots, waves are 4.6 feet at the buoy and the water temperature is 61 degrees. A few folks are perch fishing off the shore between Huron and Vermilion but o one is out in the open waters. Predictions are for 3 to 5 foot and 5 to 7 foot waves through Tuesday.

October 2, 2003 (Thursday) the 11am temperature is 44 degrees, wind is out of the WNW at 17 to 24 knots, waves at the buoy are 3.3 feet and the water temperature is 61 degrees. Predictions are for high wind and waves through the weekend with 2 to 4 foot waves predicted for Monday. It is my "GUESS" and hope that staring early next week the wind will lay and we will be able to get back to some serious fishing for a couple of weeks./FNT>

(Wednesday) The morning temperature is 48 degrees, wind is out of the WSW at 15 to 20 knots water temperature is 63 degrees and the waves at the buoy are 3 feet. It looks like we may have a small chance of getting out tomorrow afternoon (1 to 3s) but the weekend is looking bad with 6 to 8 foot wave predicted for Friday and Saturday. Really there is nothing to do but just set it out and wait for the weather and especially the wind to change.

September 30, 2003 (Tuesday) The morning temperate is 50 degrees, wind is out of the SW at 21 to 25 knots, water temperature is 64 degrees and the waves are 3.6 feet at the buoy. We have had light rain this morning and the skies are very cloudy. Nobody is anybody out on the lake that I have heard.

It looks like another day to red a good book and plan for the winter. We have bought a use motor home (99) and are planning on seeing some of the warmer parts of this great country this winter, so after the 1st of the year I hope to be able to report to you "work a day" types how the weather and maybe the fishing is in South Texas or Arizona or maybe New Mexico.

September 29, 2003 (Monday) The weekend reports are still coming in but it looks like perch fisherman did OK east of Kelley's Island, off Sawmill Creek and out sde both the Huron and Vermilion rivers as long as the stayed in close to shore and out of the big waves. Walleye were slow with reports on 1 or 2 to 7 as the most I have heard of. The walleye see to be out around the 27/27 to 29/27 lines south of the sand bar but they are scattered and not much in a feeding mood a of yet. The high waves have not done much to help the situation. We are waiting on "Indian Summer" to show up and plan on hitting it hard when (if) it comes.

It s hard to believe the season is winding down and in another month it ill be all over for us for another year.

At 2:30pm the temperature is 57 dgrees, wind is out of the west at 15 to 20 knots and the water temperature is 65 degrees. Waves at the buoy are 2.3 feet with 5 to 7 feet predicted later tonight.

September 27, 2003 (Saturday) I got a few reports from folks who managed to get out yesterday, but few walleye we caught. It was just too soon after the big blow and high waves. I always look for two or three days after a blow for the walleye to school back up and start feeding If that holds true it will be late next week, weather permitting, before the fishing gets better. Perch fisherman did manage limits off Craberry Creek and off Kelley's Island. The waves this morning at the buoy are 3.9 feet. Perditions are for 3 to 5 and 4 to 6 foot waves through Wednesday.

September 26, 2003 (Friday) the weather report continues to be very bad through Tuesday, if I were you I'd stay home this weekend and hope for better days to come. Waves are predicted to go the 5 to 8 foot tonight and not get much better before the middle of next wee. Don't get in a big hurry we will have a couple of good weeks yet.

 

September 24, 203 (Wednesday) I have added a map of the sandbar off Huron/Vermilion/Lorain to my front (index) page. Look under "Fishing Information" than click on "Sand Bar off Huron".

The weather is not looking much better with perditions of 3 to 5 foot waves today and Thursday, possible laying down Friday then back to big ones for the weekend Lets hope the weather man is again wrong but it is not looking very good so we are going to take a few days off and get some pre October work done so we won't have anything in our way, when and if, we get some good fishing weather.

September 23, 2003 (Tuesday) the morning temperature is 59 degrees, wind is out of the west at 20 to 25 knots, waves are 3 feet at the buoy and the water temperature is 69 degrees. The weather is not looking good until maybe Thursday or Friday at the earliest.

This time of year it's just a matter of waiting for the good weather days and making the most of them. We will have some good weather but you need to make the most of it, when it gets here.

Few if any people were out yesterday walleye fishing. Perch fisherman were in close to shore off Marble head and just outside the rivers at Huron and Vermilion. They took limits of perch but could not get out very far due to the waves once you get away from shore.

September 22, 2003 Monday) The 8am temperature is 67 degrees, win is out of the SE at 17 to22 knots, waves are 3 feet at the buoy and the water temperature is 70 degrees. It s starting to rain and the next few day do not look good with 2 to and 3 to 5 foot wae predicted.

We went out yesterday afternoon around 3:30pm. The weather guessers said the waves would be 2 feet or less but on going out the Huron river we had 2 feet in the river and once we got out onto the lake we had 3 to 5 foot waves. We started near the 30/28 lines with fair to good fish marks but only pulled two walleye in the 24-inch range along with several 6-inch walleye. I have ever caught so many "young of the ear" walleye as we have seen this season. Well after a couple of hours of getting beat up we decided that we had enough and came in. From the reports it was a tough day for most folks fishing walleye. The perch fisherman did much better with limits around Rattlesnake and just outside the Huron River.

September 20, 2003 (Saturday) The 7:30am temperature is 57 degrees (burrr), wind is out of the WSW at 11 to 14 knots, waves at the buoy are .6 feet and the water temperature is 70.2 degrees and falling. No one was out yesterday and I expect the fishing to be slow today even though the lake is lying down. With the doping water temperature I hope the walleye turn on. We are planning on waiting until tomorrow afternoon to go out after the crowd leaves.

September 19, 2003 (Friday) the 7:30am temperature is 65 degrees, wind are out of the north at 23 to 25 knots, wave at the buoy are 5.9 feet and the water temperature is 71.4 degrees. It looks like Hurricane Isabell or the effect of it, has come to Port Clinton. It started yesterday afternoon and the wind continued to increase all afternoon and evening. I don't expect to be able to fish before Sunday afternoon at the earliest, maybe Monday so if you weekenders have some "honey do's" you may want to make it this weekend.

SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial" DESIGNTIMESP=26595>

September 18, 2003 (Thursday) The 11am temperature is 69 degrees, winds are out of the east at 5 to 8 knots, wave are 2 to 4 feet with 5 to 7 predicted for later today. Gale warning is predicted for later today and Friday. The weather is not looking very friend before Sunday at the earliest.

Perch fishing has been good to spotty with fisherman working north of Kelleys Shoals, north of Cedar Point and just outside the Huron River muth. Walleye are being caught in less than limits out off the sand bar and also in closer around the 26/26 and 2727 lines. Some big fish are being taken but mostly they are still the lower 20-inch range.

Note: The weather service is prediction possible GALE warning for Friday due to the hurricane that is off Florida at present. It sound like somewhere about Wednesday the weather could start turning bad with waves Thursday of 4 to 6 feet building to 5 to 7 feet Frida. You weekenders may want to pa special attention to the weather reports before planning a weekend at the lake.

September 15, 003 (Monday) Both Saturday and Sunday, large packs of boats fish for Walleye a little east of the sand bar around the35/18 lines, some did well and other not so well. Again the walleye were in small pockets and were not active all the time. We ent out last evening about 4pm and fished off Ruggles Beach in about 39 foot of water. It was slow going with only two walleye by 7:30pm then they turned on about 1/2 hour before dark and we ended up with 8 walleye, none bigger than 22 inches. /FONT>

Perch fisherman faired much better with limits just east of 35/18, off Luci's Point, off Kelleys Shoals, off Rattlesnake Island and south of West Reef. All areas reporting limits of good-sized perch.

September 13 2003 (Saturday) The 11:30 am temperature is 71 degrees; wind is 5 to 8 knots out of the south. Wave are 1.6 feet and the water temperature is 73 degrees. Perch fisherman are off B can on the range, off the north tip of Kelleys Shoals, north of Cedar Point Park, outside the Huron River and off Cranberry Creek in from of the Castle. Walleye are being taken off the west side of the sand bar out from Huron / Vermilion but I don't have reports and size or numbers yet. We are planning on going out tomorrow afternoon about the time all the working folks head for home. Unless I ear different we will be out around the 35/19 lines.

 September 12, 2003 (Friday) We intended to go out this morning but at 5am the waves at the buoy were 3 feet so we decided on another day. The bigger perch are starting to come in, with limit catches of big perch off the northeast corner of Kelley Shoals and north of Cedar Point. Nothing to report on walleye since a couple of days ago, but if were planning on going out this weekend I would try out around the 35/19 lines off Huron / Vermilion.

The weather guessers are predicting 4 to 5 foot waves for Saturday and 2 feet or les for Sunday.

September 11, 2003 (Thursday) It looks like another great morning. The temperature at 8am is 66 degrees, wind is near calm. Water temprature is 72 degrees and the waves at the buoy are 1 foot.

Good perch reports from south of Middle Island, north off Marble Head, just outside the Huron River and east of the sand bar off Huron / Vermilion. Walleye fishing has been slow for the last couple of days off the sand bar. I have got a couple of reports that they are still picking walleye around the 35/19 lines but in less than limit catches. Small mouth are hot on the east and south side of Peele Island, the charters are making daily trip up there for the sallies./P>

< P> 

September 10, 2003 (Wednesday) The morning temperature is 69 degrees, wind is 6 to 10 knots out of the southeast. Water temperature is 72 degrees and the waves are 2.3 feet at the weather buoy. Forecast are for 2 to 4 footers for the next couple of days hen laying down Friday and Saturday so we may have to watch the wave conditions before going out. Good prch reports from east of Kelleys Island, just outside the Huron River mouth and off the east side of the sand bar off Huron / Vermilion.

With the bigger Walleye being caught off the sand bar it is looking like a great fall IF the weather will co operate.< /DIV>

September 9, 2003 (Tuesday) The weekend reports are better with perch limits coming off the green can at the north end of Kelleys Shoals and north of Cedar Point Amusement Park. Walleye fishing was fair to good of Huron / Vermilion area also with some limits both days out around the 35/19 lines. The walleye that are being caught are god size 20 to 29 inches reported. This is the same area we fished Sunday and Monday, with limits Sunday. Monday was another matter, we only got one walleye but it was 25 inches. We left Huron boat basin about 1pm and as we were running out the wind started picking up out of the north and by the time we got to our spot from the day before we have 4 to 5 foot waves. We stuck it out for a while but decided it was a little too uncomfortable for us so we came in. The fish marks were there and I feel if we could have stuck it out until dusk the walleye would have turned on. Some folks were takingfish but it was slow going for most.

September 7, 2003 (Sunday) Its been a long day, we moved the boat to Huron this morning then went out on the bar fishing for walleye. We did not get lines in the water until after 11am and managed to limit by a little after 3p. Then by the time we got back in, dove to Port Clinton and cleaned the fish I am buhed. The largest walleye as 27 inches the rest were from 17 to 25 inches with several 16-inch throwbacks.

We were around 35/20 lines along with several more trollers. /FONT>

There was a large pack of perch boats just east of us a couple of miles. Also on the way past Cedar Point park, I saw a pack on over 50 boat perch fishing. Our neighbors went back perch fishing today and limited up off the northeast corner of Kelleys shoals.

September 6, 2003 (Saturday) Its a better day, my friends jus got in with limits and said perch fisherman were all along the boarder and due east of KeleysIsland about 6 to 7 miles. They had 7 to 11 inch perch mostly. Walleye fishing sounds to be picking up off Huron / Vermilion near the center of the sand bar around the 33/20 lines. With the cool nights the water temperature continues to drop. We are planning on moving the boat in the morning and if the weather allows we will fish for walleye off Huron tomorrow.

September 5, 2003 (Friday) The morning temperature is 65 degrees, wind is out of the NNE at 12 to 16 knots, wave are to 4 feet with an occasional 5 footer. Perch carters are on the southeast corner of Kelley Island this morning and are taking perch but I have not received size report yet. For the weekend around the islands I would perch fish south or east of Kelleys and maybe up off Kelley Shoals outer marker. For walleye I would try around Lorain o off Vermilion / Huron, not too far out in 20 to 25 foot of water, but your best chance is with the perch. With the morning temperature being in the upper 50 to mid 60s we should se the water temperature start to drop and hopefully with that the larger walleye returning to the sand bar area.

September 4, 2003 (Thursday) The morning temperature is 68 degrees, wind is 11 to14 knots out of the north, waves are 2 to 4 feet going to 3 to 5feet later today. Not much going on out on the lake with the muddy water, weather fronts moving through and now wind and waves. Some folks are perch fishing in close to the south side of Kelleys Island trying to stay out of the wind but I on't have any reports as to how they are doing. walleye "catching" in the western end of the lake as at a near stop Very few walleye are being caught of late. Some good catches are reported off Lorain and Vermilion east of the sand bar but it is also fairly quiet down that way also. We are just taking it easy and waiting for the weather to get better, hopefully by the weekend.

September 2, 2003 (Tuesday) We got bak to the lake this afternoon. It has been raining for days and the lake is a mess. We drove up around Catawba Point and there were 4 footers rolling in fro the north and the water is very muddy. Hopefully it will lie and after a couple of days clear up.

The only reports I have is of good to limits of perch being caught south and east of Kelley's Island. These perch seem to be bigger then the ones west of the Island.

A couple of reports of walleye being caught between Huron and Vermilion, off Ruggles Beach i 20 foot of water or so.

September 1, 2003 (Monday) Sorry for missing a few days but w have been away to a family thing but we are packing to head back to the lake sometie tomorrow. Reports are slow coming in but I have a few, mostly perch reports.

It seems most folks are having problems finding larger perch, best reports are around the northeast side of Kelley's Island and out of the last green marker off the north tip of Kelley Shoals where good size perch are being caught in the deeper waters. Folks are fishing for perch all around the Islands but the bigger ones seem to be east of Kelleys.

Some walleye are being caught off Huron / Vermilion out around the sand bar but it sounds like they are still the "residentquot; walleye which are smaller, the big ones have not yet arrived from the east, or at least I am not hearing about it./FONT>

DIV class="MsoNormal" DESIGNTIMESP=304>

August 28, 2003 (Thursday) In response to several folks wanting to know what changes are being PROPOSED for next seasons fishing, the following is what I expect will be suggested.

 

MICHIGAN; 5 fish limit, closed season April and May and a 15-inch minimum size limit.

OHI; 6 fish limit May through February, 3 fish limit March and April, 15 inch minimum size limit and restrictions on use of more than one hook for river fishing in March and April.

NOTE: this is what I think will be proposed, not to be confused with what may or will happen. All this will have t be voted on by the "governing body" after public hearing in both states.

August 27, 2003 (Wednesday) Reports are still slow coming in but it is more of the same. Walleye fishing is slow over most of the western basin, mostly due to the algae bloom and warmer waters. Walleyes are being caught off Huron / Vermilion / Lorain but the six is still small with most in the 14 to 19 inch class. Perch fishing seems to be fair to good EAST of Kelley's Island with a couple of good report from SOUTH of Kelley's and also just out the rivers from Huron and Vermilon.  What we need now is an early fall with temperatures cooling the water a little.

If you have any information on the proposed walleye limits change in Michigan please send me the information or link t the page. I have several roamers but nothing official.

August 26, 2003 (Tuesday) From the reports I am getting it sees the walleye fishing has been poor all around the Islands. Perch fishing was better but the folks fishing west of the islands had to sort through bunches of small perch to get their limits while those east of Kelley's seemed to b getting larger sized perch. Also south of Kelley's gave up some limit catches of perch.

August 25, 2003 (Monday) I've only receive a few reports from the weekend but it sounds like it was slow around the islands. A heavy algae bloom is present from Middle Sister Island back past the Bass Islands also Saturday was a fairly rough day with 3 to 5 foot waves reported.

Good to limit catches of walleye were exported out of Breast Bay in Michigan waters (23 foot). Perch fishing was spotty with limit catches coming off the east side of Kelley's Islands by some folks with other in the same general location reporting very few catches.

Den down at Vermilion reports the walleye fishing is starting to pick up out off the sand bar around the 33/19 lines (middle numbers). Te fishing off Huron / Vermilion should be getting better and better in the coming weeks. As I aver said before we will be moving the boat o Huron boat basin on or after the 7th of September.

August 22, 2003 (Friday) Good reports of walleye still up off the Canadian border form F and G can to Middle Sister Island, while the number are good there are lots of walleye being caught that will not be legal next season so handle them with care and lets put those under 15 inches back s they can help out with the coming spawns.

Perch fishing is still hot with limits coming from Northwest Reef, west of Rattlesnake, west of Green, Starve Island, Marblehead, east of Kelley's Island and offthe dumping grounds at Cedar Point Amusement Park.

FONT face="Arial" size="3" DESIGNTIMESP=14534>Both perch and walleye fishing is good off Huron / vermilion. Walleyes are being caught east of the sand bar while perch limits are being caught just outside the river at both Huron and Vermilion.

If you have not read the letter from he fisheries biologist from yesterdays report, please do so.</FONT< DIV>

August 21, 2003

We have all been wondering hat the outcome would be regarding the 2003 walleye hatch, I sometime feel like an expectant father again. I recently wrote to Travis Hartman, who is a fisheries biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife at Sandusky, asking if he could share with s any information&nbs;on how the test trawls were going.

The following is his response and I for one want to personally thank him and the other fine people at DNR and the Division of Wildlife for their continuing efforts to keep this great fishery as health as possible.

PLEASE pass this on to anyone you know who loves this great lake as we do, I am sure they will be gad you did.

It's no secret that or summer trawls have yielded very promising results.
We trawl 41 sites from Huron to Toledo once per month (since May). As you
might exact we are hesitant to make predictions about the hatch early on,
but by the time August and September roll around we have a pretty good handle on the strength of the year classes. To validate what we saw last
year (unfortunately), the 2002 walleye class is non-existent. We have
caught very few yearling walleye this year (I believe less than 10 all
year). This year's class, however, appears to be excellent. We trawl at
each site for 10minutes, and then expand the catch to report as an hourly
catch rat. In past yeas the average catch of young-of-year (newly
hatched) walleye is about 13 fish per hour (ranging from 0to 35). Without
having the final results calculated, it's safe to say that we might be ABOVE
our highest average in recent history. To be conservative, I must mention
that we are trawling with our new boat this year, and it is probably not
fair to directly compare this year's catch to prior years. We are, however,
currently working out a conversion factor to better compare historical data
to current catche with the new boat. It is fair to say, though, that weBR DESIGNTIMESP=32625>have seen over 200 young-of-year walleye in certain 10-minue trawls, and
virtually all of the sites have at least a few walleye. I would guess hat
our average trawl has had around 15 to 20young-of-year walleye. It is also
worth mentioning that the yellow perch year class appears to be very strong.
Along with the numbers of walleye that we are seeing they are growing very
well and in veer good shape. We have already caught young-of-year walleye
over 6 inches, and they are all very healthy with many of them already
eating fish. Besides our trawls we have also heard of the minnow
netters catching plenty of walleye, and perch anglers are catching them on
small shiners. Our September trawl and Octobe gill netting will lend
further insight into the walleye and yellow perch year-class strengths, but
I m cautiously optimistic. It is important, however, to keep in mind that
the 1996 year class looked equally impressive, and did not end up being as
strong as was originally predicted.
There are quite a few theories as to why this year appears to have been so
good, but here are the factors that I personally believe had the most
impact:
It was a windy spring, but we did not have violent storm event.
Although it was a cold, late spring, the temperature slowly and steadily
increased instead of "jumping around" like we get some springs.
After the hatch we got a lot of rain in May and June thatbrought loads of
nutrient in from the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers to "feed" the plankton
blooms and support the young-of-year hatch.
This is a little farther out there, but I also think that the hard winter
with significant ice cover may lead to a more "normal" cycle of egg
production for the females, and although maybe not necessarily producing
more eggs but possibly better quality eggs (again, that is a reach, but not
without merit).
Also with the hard winter there is usually a significant winterkill of
gizzard shad and white perch, which both compete with young walleye for food.
As far as the proposed regulations, I believe this hatch proves without a
doubt that the totalnumber of females in the lake does NOT directly
correlate to he success of the hatch. Some people opposed o the regs.
Want to turn this into a female issue, and claim that reducing fall harvest
would accomplish more than spring reductions. This year goes to show that
we have more than enough eggs being produced and factors after the eggs are
laid are more critical than the absolute number of eggs laid. We have
enough females producing enough eggs to support not only the current
fishery, but also enough to grow and recover the fishery if conditions
allow. We do, however, need to keep our harvest within our allotted quota
while at the same time not be too restrictive and limit opportunities. I
would much rather keep the fishing open dring the spring (no closed season)
ad also not reduce limits during the peak summer periods. Three fish for

a responsibility to make the 15" size limit work. I d not believe the suggestion that "over half quoat; of the released fish will die. You know as well
as I that a properly handled fish has better than a 50% chance of surviving.
Yes, if you troll a fish around for 30 minutes or throat hook the fish it
may die, but everyone needs to be a little more ethical and responsible to
ensure that a sub-15quot; fish is not excessively handled or dropped before
being returned.

Thanks,

Travis

Travis Hartman
Fisheries Biologist
Ohio Department of natural resources
Division of Wildlife
Sandusky Fish Research Unit
305 E. Shoreline Dr.
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
Phone: 419-6258062
Fax: 419-625-6272
Travis.Hartman@dnr.state.oh.us

August 21, 2003 (Thursday) Perch fishing continues to be the better fishing with limits coming off Northwest reef, west of Green, west f Rattlesnake, north of Marblehead and on the dumping grounds off Cedar Point amusement park.

Walleyes are still being taken in good to limit numbers off F and G cans on the border, south of Middle Sister Island, and northwest of West Sister Island but are the smaller size 14 to 17 inch fish.

I have been busy at home this week doing "fall" type jobs, cleaned the furnace, garage and barn in preparation for winter, by getting all this done it won't interfere with the fall fishing in September. We plan on being back at Port Clinton around the 3rd of September and move the boat to Huron on the 7th. Thanks to the many folks sending reports which allows me to keep up the reports page.

August 19, 2003 (Tuesday) Still more reports of great perch catches generally all over the western end of the lake and I suspect off Huron / Vermilion as well. Top spots seem t be our old favorites of Niagara, B and C cans on the range, Green, Rattlesnake and Northwest reef along with Starve, Marblehead and east of Kelley's Island.

Walleye are still giving up limits off of G and F cans on the border, southwest of Middle Sister Island and all around West Sister Island. Good to limit catches between Huron and Vermilion around Cranberry Creek are reported.

Some information is coming out of Ohio Sea Grand and Ohio DNR regarding this spring walleye and perch hatch and it is very positive. While tests nets are still being calculated it is looking good. Along with many of you, I have been awaiting the results and hoping for a good year, especially sinc last year was a bust.

August 18, 2003 (Monday) Good reports from the weekend with good to limit catches south of G can on the Canadian border, west of Northwest Reef and north of Niagara Reef. Most reports were for Saturday with Sunday being a little rough for most folks.

Perch fishing continues to be great, with limits coming all around the island with the best spots being off Northwest Reef, west of Rattlesnake and east of Kelley's Island. Look for perch fishingto be really good the rest of the season while walleye fishing should have slowed by now but does not show any signs of doing so. This has been really good season for those of us ho had the time to get out on a regular basis.

August 17, 2003 (Sunday) not much going on the lake today, it has been windy and the waves are 3 to 4 feet. Good perch reports from yesterday again west of the islands.

There is a good article in theToledo Blade (link below) about the proposed changes on walleye for next year.  Basically what Ohio DNR is proposing is a 3 walleye limit in March and April instead of the 4 walleye limit we had this year, then walleye limit the rest of the season. In addition they are asking for a single hook rather that treble hooks be used in the spring river fishing to reduce the snagging. Also a 15-inch minimum on walleye al season.

For what is worth it sounds to me like a reasonable proposal and I will not object to it.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030817/COLUMNIST22/108170101

August 16, 2003 (Saturday) We got some thunderstorms with lots of rain last evening but it is clearing this morning.

The walleye school that was north of Northwest Reef has moved back west to the area south of G can once again. This is about the third time they have been around this same location.Also I got a couple of reports of good walleye east of Kelley's island off the airport opening, which might be worth a look.

Perch fishing continues to be very good with limits coming off Green, Rattlesnake, Northwest Reef, Niagara Reef and off Marblehead.

We are going to take a couple of weeks away from the lake to give ourselves a change of scenery before the start of the Huron adventure in early September. I will continue to update the reports page as information comes in so please keep it coming.

August 15,2003 (Friday) Walleye fishing was slow yesterday with less than limits coming south of F can on the boarder and west of Rattlesnake Island. Perch fishing was good with limit catches coming off Green, Rattlesnake and east of Kelley's Island.

About 4PM last evening the lights went out in Port Clinton, along with a lot of other places but did come back on about 9:00 PM and all is well this morning with the power situation. To add to our problems the water main to our trailer park split about 2:00AM and we have been without water all day.

August 14, 2003 (Thursday) Another great day at the lake, wind is calm, waves are flat and the temperature is 78 degrees.

Last evening we again went out to just south of Northwest Reef and started trolling north. It was fairly slow going all evening; we did end up with 12 walleye and 11 good-sized yellow perch, all on spoons. Same program as in the past days. Best colors were killer bee, confusion, chicken wings and the PA' sail fish, mako and blue marlin.

We had a great evening, the wind ad waves were calm and we were treated to a great sunset, who could ask for more.

Today the charters and head boats are hunting fish, it sounds like further west may be where the fish removing to. Several reports of down toward Middle Sister on the 00 line.

Perch fishing is going great so this may be the time to switch to perch for a few weeks. Best spots for perch seem to be west of Green, west of Rattlesnake, north of Marblehead, on the dumping grounds off Cedar Point and off the airport opeing east of Kelley's. Just about any place that has been good in the past is working now.

 August 13, 2003 (Wednesday) We took yesterday off, needed a little rest. Not much going on this morning, most head boats and charters are up around F can on the Canadian border and are looking for walleye. The walleye are scattered in small pockets all the way from the border, west of North Bass down toward Rattlesnake Island. If you can locate an active pocket and stay on it you will do good but the challenge is in finding them.

An old fisherman told me that walleye are not hard to catch just hard to find.

Perch fisherman are west of Green Island and Rattlesnake, they are taking perch but I don't know the size or number yet.

We mad a trip to Huron yesterday and contracted for a dock at the Huron Boat Basin starting September 7th. We will be there through the end of October or early November. We are betting on the big walleye being off the Huron/Vermilion area by mid to late September and the run will be much shorter by boat from here.

Once we make the move most of my reports will have to do with the Huron/Vermilion area and the Islands information will depend on feedback from others.

August 12, 2003 (Tuesday) Perch fishing is definitely in the increase, while walleye fishing the last few days we are getting 10 to 15 nice sized perch in the area of Northwest Reef and I have reports for Niagaa, Cedar Point, west of Green and east of Rattlesnake of limit catches.

We again last evening went out to Northwest Reef and trolled north to the Canadian line. At first it was slow going but we finally picked up three nice walleye within a quarter of mile, so we set up a pattern and worked that area over good. We had five people on board and limited about 9:00PM. About 1/2 of the walleye were 16 to 18 inches while the other 1/2 were 18 to 23 inch fish. The later in the evening the better the bite, with 10 or 15 fish coming in the last hour of so of fishing.

Program was four dipsy's, two per side set at 2 and 3. The 2 setting was back 40 while the 3 setting was back 60 fee. Then two jet 30s off in line boards with the jets back 100 feet to start and later up to 75 feet as the walleye got active.

Early in the afternoon the fish are flat on the bottom and we try and run the baits just over the top of them but as the sun goes down the walleye start getting active and come off the bottom, when this happens we raise the baits to keep them above the fish.

August 11, 2003 (Monday) the wekend was good for those that found the walleye and bad for those who did not. The best spots still seemed to be north of B can on the range, north of Niagara Reef and around Northwest Reef. Perch fishing was good off Green, Rattlesnake, Niagara, Marblehead and on the east side of Kelley's Island.

We went out Sunday evening, ran up to just south of Northwest Reef ad trolled north. Fishing was slow with the walleye being in very small pockets and then it required a lot of sorting to get good size walleye. We ended up northwest of the reef in 30 to 32 foot of water working a couple of small pockets until we got our limit about 9:00PM. In addition to the walleye we picked up 11 nice perch, mostly right on Northwest Reef.

It as a great evening with a little breeze, waves were1 foot or so and we were treated to a full moon for the ride in, don't know what more a man could ask for.

NOTE: as the season goes on the walleye are become harder to locate, the secret is once you find a couple of walleye, to stay on that spot by circling or working a figure 8 back across the spot until you are no longer getting any hits. We worked about 4 spots last evening no bigger than 1/2 mile across each.

August 9, 2003 (Saturday) the morning is cool with temperature at 73 degrees wind is out of the northeast at 6 to 10 knots, wave are 2 to 4 feet.

The walleye fishing is slow this morning with most folks off the Niagara, B and C cans area catching smaller walleye. Another large pack is fishing the Northwest Reef area also with slow picking and many throw backs in the 14 and smaller range.

Perch fisherman are doing better off Rattlesnake Island, Green Island, Niagara Reef, the northeast tip of Middle Bass and off the northeast tip of Kelley Shoals.

August 8, 2003 (Friday) Walleye are being caught west of Rattlesnake Island, north of Niagara and near the Canadian border markers F and G. Perch fishing is looking better with good to limit catches off Marblehead, Cedar Point amusement park dumping grounds, north of Niagara and west of Green Islands.

Report of good steel head fishing off Erieau (Canada) in 60 feet of water.

The afternoon temperature is 78 degrees, wind is out of the north at 3 knots and waves are 1 foot or less.

The weekend is looking good with more like today with the possibility of thunderstorms (pop-ups), which are common in the afternoon this time of year.

I have some un official reports saying that the 2003 walleye and yellow perch hatch may be looking good. This is really great news since the 2002 hatch was so poor.

August 7, 2003 (Thursday) Last evening we went out west of Rattlesnake Island but the fishing was poor, we saw a pack of boats down toward C can on the range and trolled that way, slowly picking walleye as we went. The size was still small; we tried not to keep any less than 16 inches but had to throw back a bunch. We ended up with 19 about dark and decided to call it a day.

For the weekend, walleyes off Niagara, C and B cans on the range and maybe up off Northwest reef though we could not find them last night. Perch off Rattlesnake, Green, and Starve Islands and off the northeast corner of Middle Bass Island and off the greencan on the north tip of Kelley Shoals.

I talked to Den at Vermilion this morning and he tells me the bugs (midges) are thick on the water and have shut down the fishing. I had hoped to make a trip down there tomorrow but think we will set it out until next week.

August 6, 2003 (Wednesday) From reports the walleye were scattered by the storms Monday evening, we ran out to a spot west of Northwest Reef and trolled north toward Middle Sister Island, we were generall around the 44/55 lines (middle numbers). While the fish marks looked good we had a slow start but as the evening got later, around 6PM the walleye got more active. We limited about 8:30PM so it took us around 5 hours to get our fish. I tried several different spoons but the best were as in the past weeks, PA's blue marlin, sailfish and Mako along with netcrafters Proeye's (put together) in killer bee, perch and confusion. We were still running two dipsy's and two jet 30s per side. Dipsy's were back 40 to 70 feet while the jet 30s were back 100 feet. The walleye were in the 17 to 22 inch range; we threw back lots of 16 and under fish.

The Port Clinton head boats are perching off of Niagara Buoy this morning and doing well, some have limited by 10AM.

August 5, 2003 (Tuesday) yesterday evening we ran out to west of Doo-Dah's reef (41 45.10 082 55.70) and started trolling toward Middle Sister Island. In short order we started taking walleye and got up to 19 before the weather turned bad causing us to pull the lines and head in. There is still a lot of walleye in the area east of Middle Sister toward Northwest Reef but the size is not the greatest. We threw back several under 16inches to find the ones we kept. The weather has been a fooler for the last few days, rain and blow followed by sunny and calm followed by more rain and blow. The area north of B can on the range still holds walleye, I have had several reports of limit catches from thatarea lately.

Michigan fisherman report good walleye fishing 2 miles in front of Luna Pier in 14 foot of water.

Smallmouth are being taken around Middle Bass Island using soft craws and Carolina rigs in 20 foot of water or so.

Perch are being caught off Rattesnake in 30 to 35 foot of water, also northeast of the green can at the north end of Kelley Shoals. While folks are taking perch they seem to come and go, in other words a bunch comes through, bites for a while then moves on. You have to wait the out and another bunch will show up. I still think the perch bite is just getting started so hold on to your socks.

August 4, 2003 (Monday) Even though it was a fairly nasty weekend, weather wise, those folks that could get out caught fish. The walleye hot spots were 1 to 4 miles norh of B can on the range and west of Northwest Ref in the area off Doo-Dah's Reef. Perch fishing spots were west of Green Island (small perch) and north of Niagara Reef (better sized) perch.

The walleye fishing is still in the "Great" range, really unusual for this time of year. Normally the walleye have slowed down by now and perch fishing becomes the "thing to do", but as long as the walleye keep biting we will keep after them.

Today’s weather is looking better and we hope to get out this afternoon, wind is calm, waves are 2 feet or less and the morning temperature is 70 degrees.

August 3, 2003 (Sunday) Thunderstorms and rain have been in the area since yesterday afternoon. The waves are 2 feet and picking up.

FONT face="Arial" DESIGNTIMESP=25464>Walleye are being caught off B can on the range between F and G cans on the Canadian border, nnw of West Sister and west (2 to 4 miles) of Green Island.

Perch fisherman are doing better and reprting limit catches off C and G cans on the range, north of Niagara Reef and west of Green Island.

Small mouth are still hitting on the south and east sides of Peele Island.

August 2, 2003 (Saturday) The weekend is here this morning so we will take the weekend off. Lots of walleye lying between F and G cans (location) on the border. This school seems to extend south toward Niagara Reef, basically the area of what is called the flats or triangle crated by West Sster, Middle Sister and a few miles west of Green Island all seemed to hold fish yesterday. We did have a fairly violent thunder and lightning storm last evening that lasted for several hour, it is yet to be told if it effected the fishing or not but time will tell though I am hearing that the fishing this morning is slow.

I have reports of limit catches off B and C cans on the range. Perch fisherman pulled good to limits off of C can on the range, northwest of Kelley's Island and west of Green.

August 1, 2003 (Friday) Again we started just south of Northwest Reef, trolled due north to F-can on the Canadian border, then turned west toward Middle Sister Island catching a few walleye as e went. The action was a little slow until we got about 1/2 way between F and G cans on the boarder where the catching got better. Fish marks were stacked from 20 feet to the bottom and we limited in a little less than 4 hours. Once again (why change if it works) we pulled two dispy's and two jets 30 per side. Dipsy's were back 40 and 60 feet while the jet 30s were back from 75 to 125 feet, all were pulling small 2 3/8" spoons. Best were Netcrafters Pro-eyes in monkey puke, killer bee and confusion and PA's blue marlin, which is 1/2 gold and 1/2 pink. Early in the evening the fish were flat on the bottom at 32 feet but once the sun started going down they come up to 20 feet or so. Watch your fish marks if you miss this raising off the bottom and continue to un your baits under the walleye you won't get many bites. There were a few fish in the 20 to 24 inch range but most were in their teens. We threw back a bunch of 16 and under. Only a few boats in the area so we let the autopilot drive most of the trip, we needed the extra person to keep up with all the rod action.

Perch fisherman are reporting good to limit catches west of Green Island and down of B and C cans on the range. The perch seem to be scattered and slow to school up so you will need to look for them. What you want to see is bunches of smaller marks on or very near the bottom; it may even look like a carpet over the bottom of the lake.

July 31, 2003 (Thursday) We ran out t Northwest Reef last evening about 4:00 PM, started trolling about 1/2 mile south of the reef, once we got up close to the reef we turned west toward Middle Sister Inland, which we could see. By the time we had got close to the old G-can location we had limited. The fish were a "mixed bag" of 16 to 20 inch walleye with a few 22 to 25 inch ones. The program was two dipsy's per side ran at 1 and 3 settings back 40 to 60 feet on the inside and 50 to 75 feet on the outside ones. Then two jet 30s back 75 to 100 feet, pulling small spoons. Best spoons were pink and gold colors, we had out Netcrafters perch, killer bee, monkey puke and Luhr-Jensen's hammered copper fire tiger. The walleye were flat on the bottom until about 6:00 PM but then they rose up to arund 20 to 25 feet. The pick was study all evening; it took about 3 hours to limit.

Perch fisherman are having good days followed by bad ones. I suspect the perch are moving a great deal so where you find them one day, you may not the next. A large pack of perch fisherman were west of Green Island as e went out. Also down of what looked from a distance to be either C-can or maybe a little west of Niagara.

July 30, 2003 (Wednesday) Lots of boats fishing for walleyennw of West Sister Island and south of Middle Sister Island. Both drifters and trollers are doing well, drifters are using weight forward spinners in gold and green, trollers are still using gold/copper spoons.

Perch fishing seems to be on the rise. Good to limit catches are reported off the nw corner of Kelley's Island, south of Middle Island, west of Green Island, off C-can n the range and off Marblehead.

July 29, 2003 (Tuesday) Last Friday evening aout 10 PM a boat hit the southeast side of Mouse Island, one man died as the result. The story is covered in the Port Clinton paper. The link follows:

http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/news/stories/20030728/topstories/543873.html

Now I hear that another person has died from an overturned boat off Cooley Channel (MaumeeBay). The link to that story follows;

http://www.onnnews.com/story.php?record=25700

After dark, unfamiliar waters, maybe alcohol or in the case of the most recent, too small of a boat, unsafe maneuvers. Lake Erie is very unforgiving of those who take chances; don't ever take her for granted.

July 28, 2003 (Monday) I have received several report from the weekend, it seems the walleye are still between West and Middle Sister Islands, while they are in smaller schools they are still in the same general area as the last few weeks. Drifters report taking walleye in this area on "Erie Dearie" type baits in green with gold blades on 20 to 25 count.

Luna Pier, Toledo Lighthouse and McDonalds (marker in shipping channel) all were hot walleye spots fo our Toledo and Michigan friends.

Peele Island down toward Middle Island is great for small mouth at this time, several reports of limit catches of smallies in this area.

Perch fishing has been slow but I do have reports of good to limit catches off Ballast Island and the northwest tip of Kelley's Island.

Note;  have had a few enquiries from folks concerned a to why the perch fishing has not taken off so far. I feel that we are two o four weeks behind last year due to the colder than normal winter, late spring and fairly cool summer to date. So just hang in there the perch will turn of before long (hopefully) and in the mean time enjoy some of the best walleye fishing we have had in many a season.

July 26, 2003 (Saturday) From the reports I am receiving, it looks like the big school has busted up into at least two or more smaller packs. One is futher north and west of West Sister Island than they have been over the past weeks, a second is still between Middle and West Sister Islands but they are smaller fish. A possible third school is north of Middle Sister Island, well into Canadian water. Also some walleye are being taken within a few miles of Northwest Reef off North Bass Island. It just takes a little looking to find them. Learning what to look for can make a big difference in your success.  The same programs we have been running are still working, trolling with dipsy's or jets and spoons and the drifters are using worm harnesses or may fly rigs with good success.

Speaking of may flies, we are still seeing some of a morning in and around Port Clinton. When I checked my boat Wednesday it had severl on board, so it is not over yet but the numbers (in my opinion) are not great. We have a bad year with mayflies when the roads get slippery from them.

July 24, 2003 (Thursday) Reports have been few so far de to the bad weather the first of the week, I have got a couple from yesterday and today saying that the walleye are still between West Sister and Middle Sister Islands so that is the way I would go. The charters are running north toward Middle Sister and up into Canadian water so I don't know how the are doing. Some folks are taking perch west of Rattlesnake and doing wel.

We are going to take some time off and will be gone until next week so if you get out be sure to give me a report so I can have something to tell the rest of the folks out there. I will update the site as information is available.

July 23, 2003 (Wednesday) The afternoon temperature is 76 degrees, wind is 10 to 14 knots, waves are1.3 feet and the water temperature is 72 degrees.

Charters and head boats are working off the inner range markers and north west of West Sister Island. It looks like the big school if walleye we have been following have moved back west as the result of the storms of the past few days. The may be broken up into smaller schools, this will require some looking on your part to locate these small "bunches" of fish. The charters are finding and taking some walleye but the reports are slim at best.

Perch fisherman from the weekend report limit catches of perch just west (1 mile or so) of Rattlesnake Island.

Another note of clarification; The inner range markers are the outside of Camp Perrys danger zone number 1, they are numbered 37 thru 60. If you will go to my home page, click on Pictures and Maps Index, the scroll down to "Camp Perry Range Map - Goes with above (2003)" you will find a map of the danger zones and markers. The reason I call the the inner range markers is because they divide zone 1 from zone 2. The outer range markers would be A, B, C, D, etc.

July 22, 2003 (Tuesday) We had a series of thunderstorms roll though all day yesterday and it looks like more of the same today. Very few boats were out but some head boats were back off West Sister Island and taking walleye.

From the weekend reports most everyone fishing for walleye were between West and Middle Sister Islands down to the old G can location. Most report good to limit catches of 17 to 22 inch walleye with an abundance of throw backs less than 15 inches. Also good reports from the inner range markers on walleye.

Perch fisherman seemed tobe doing better with good to limits catches coming northwest of Ballast, west of Green Island and on the dumping grounds off Cedar Point.

A note of clarification; To the best of my knowledge the international border cans (between Canada and the US) were remove a few years ago, BUT the locations are still shown on many charts and maps. SO when I talk about "G-can or any other border marker, I am referring to the old location of that can and not a physical marker buoy. Sorry for any confusion to the folks who looked for these markers and could not see one.

July 21, 2003 (Monday) We went back to G can last evening, it was rougher than we would have liked and a storm was coming in. We ended up with one or two short of our limit but decided it was time to leave when the waves got up to four foot or better.

Several Reports from people fishing off Middle Sister over the weekend with good to limits both days. Walleyes were also taken northwest of West Sister, off the inner range markers, and north of A can on the range.

Perch fisherman did much better this weekend with reports of good to limits coming off Green Island, Rattlesnake, and B can on the range and off Marblehead.

The weather this morning is a cool 68 degrees and it is raining, winds are calm to 5 mph. Thunder storms are predicted for the next few days and one come through earlier this morning.

July 20, 2003 (Sunday) We took Friday and yesterday off to rest up a little and clean up the boats. After 5 or 6 trips they really get to be a mess. We plan on going out this evening, weather permitting.

From the weekend reports, walleye are being taken on the inner ranger markers around cans 48 to 51. Also northwest of West Sister and east of Middle Sister Island along the Canadian border all the way to F can.

Some perch were taken southwest of Green Island but not limits also good reports of perch near A can on the range and west of West Sister Island.

July 18, 2003 (Friday) We were back to G can on the boarder last evening and again limited in a short time. The walleye are loaded from east of G can to Middle Sister Island, lots of nice sized fish, you will have to throw back some small ones but the bigger ones are also in there. </FONT< DIV>

Perch fisherman were working off the south side of Green Island as we went out but I don't know how they were doing. The only other place I have hear of perch being taken was off B can on the range. If you get out perching this weekend please giv me a report, I have lots of folks looking for perch information and I can't help them.

July 17,2003 (Thursday) The weather yesterday had us convinced that it would be too rough to go out. I even drove up around Catawba Point at 2:00 PM and it was white capping. About 5:00 PM I got a call from a fell