Late Summer Walleyes, Smallies, and Perch Bite on Lake Erie

Good morning fish heads, Artificial Lure here with your up-to-the-minute Lake Erie fishing report for Sunday, August 24th, right here out of Cleveland. The sun came up this morning at 6:40 AM, with a colorful sky and the promise of classic late August action, and it’ll set at 8:10 PM. Today’s weather is shaping up beautifully for anglers—mostly sunny skies, temps peaking around 76 degrees, with a light west wind topping out at 10 knots. Water temps off Cleveland are sitting right at 74 degrees according to the National Weather Service, so those fish are active, especially in the cooler mornings and just before dusk. Waves are gentle, 1 to 2 feet, making it prime time to get on the lake, whether you’re working close to shore or heading out a bit deeper. Now, let’s talk fish activity. The bulk of near-shore catches have been classic late-summer fare—walleyes are still biting strong, especially on structure and deeper humps. Folks dragging harnesses or pulling crankbaits have been reporting limits, with many fish in the 19-24 inch range and a few hawgs topping 30 inches, like that monster someone posted from last week out by Cleveland’s breakwall. Jig and minnow combos are also producing, but if you want numbers, trolling with Bandits, Smithwicks, or those hot new Lake Erie Slammer colors (just released, and according to some shops, selling fast!). Smallmouth bass are fired up with the slightly cooler nights—we’re seeing good action around rocky points, the mouths of rivers, and those classic breakwall edges east towards Euclid. Tube jigs, Ned rigs, and drop shotting three-inch soft plastics in white or goby patterns are taking the bulk of fish. The guys at Bill’s Bait and Tackle are reporting strong bites whenever there’s light chop on the water, especially mid-morning and evenings. Perch have been hit and miss—watch your electronics for schools in 35 to 45 feet, especially out between Edgewater and Gordon Park. Emerald shiners are still the bait of choice for most, fished right on the bottom. Lots of smaller fish in the mix, but patient anglers are finding enough jumbos for a couple decent fish fries. For you shore-bound folks, the E. 55th Street Marina and the old Coast Guard Station are staying busy, with white bass and the occasional channel cat keeping rods bent after dusk. Today’s hot baits around Cleveland: - For walleye, go with purple or orange Bandits and Lake Erie Slammers, worm harnesses on copper or gold blades, or a lively shiner on a single hook drifted under a float. - For smallies, bring along tube jigs (smoke or watermelon), drop shot rigs with Gulp! minnow, and don’t be afraid to punch a jig or spinnerbait around deeper weed clumps. - Perch are keying on emerald shiners or small pieces of nightcrawler, use a spreader rig to stay right in the strike zone. Two hotspots this morning: - The breakwall east of Cleveland’s harbor—walleyes and smallmouth loaded up before sunrise, and still action through the morning. - The Hum