Late October Fishing Action on Lake Erie's Cleveland Waters

Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie Cleveland-area fishing report for Sunday, October 26th, 2025. The sun rose at 7:48 AM and will set tonight at 6:36 PM. On the water, you’re stepping into classic late October conditions. Off Cleveland, the water temperature is a cool 62 degrees. After overnight lows in the mid-to-upper 30s in some inland spots, we’ll see daytime highs rebounding into the mid-50s. That’s chilly, but by Lake Erie standards, not too bad for a fall bash. We got a break from yesterday’s gusty winds—today, winds are light out of the northwest, barely nudging 10 knots, with waves down to a foot or less, and skies clearing throughout the morning according to the National Weather Service. It’s a *prime weekend window* between lingering drizzle and more unsettled weather expected mid-week. Surface activity will be best in low-light—the classic dawn and dusk bite windows. Right now, it’s all about the fall walleye and perch runs. According to “Lake Erie, Detroit Daily Fishing Report,” the walleye action has been hot as water temps dipped, especially along the reefs and drop-offs east of the city. Snap-jigging blade baits like Cicadas or VibE’s, with gold or chartreuse working best, are putting up fish in the 18–23-inch range. Limit catches are regular for skilled anglers. Trollers are still scoring with Bandits and Smithwick Rogues, especially when run deep off planer boards at 1.6–2.0 mph. Nights are starting to fire up around the Cleveland Harbor wall for shore anglers throwing shallow-diving crankbaits. Yellow perch have schooled up nicely between Edgewater and the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Reports out of East 55th Street Marina show boaters boating 20-30 fish limits using perch spreaders tipped with emerald shiners or fathead minnows, fished near bottom in 32 to 38 feet. The best rig is still a two-hook crappie rig or spreader, but in bright midday, switch to smaller hooks and lighter line. Smallmouth bass are showing up off breakwalls and rocky points, especially early with tube jigs in green pumpkin or smoke with silver flake. A few are still being picked off the docks and marinas, particularly where structure and depth mix—try a ⅛-ounce Ned rig or Gulp! minnow worked slow along the bottom. Hotspots? Here’s what’s producing now: - **Cleveland Harbor/East 72nd**: Evening crankbait bite for walleye, also perch action off the rocks - **Edgewater Park**: Perch schools steady 30-40 feet out - **East 55th Street Marina**: Mixed bags, especially perch and bonus smallmouth - **Gordon Park and the breakwall**: Walleye after sundown, walk the wall with a bright minnow plug - **Rocky River mouth**: Early bass action—try a popper or swim jig at sunrise If you’re shore bound, Perkins Beach and Clifton Beach are reliable for mixed species at first light. Don’t forget the harbors—sheltered, warmer, and full of shiners right now. For lures: - Walleye: Bandit Walleye Deep, Rapala Husky Jerk, jigging Rapalas, and blade baits - Perch: Emeral