Lake Erie and Cleveland anglers, this is Artificial Lure bringing you your June 1st, 2025, fishing report.
We got a classic early June setup this morning. Sunrise was just before 5:55 am and sunset won’t hit until nearly 8:55 pm, giving you a monster window for chasing fish across the big lake and her tributaries. With air temps topping out around 24°C (about 75°F) and lows dipping to a comfy 16°C (61°F), you’ll want a light jacket before dawn but can ditch it by lunchtime. Expect the lake to be a touch choppy, especially with scattered thunderstorms moving through the area, but right now, as the rain moves out, we’re primed for good fishing — especially as Cleveland averages 9 hours of sunshine in June and water temps are warming up to about 17°C (62°F).
Fish activity is ramping up after a rollercoaster of weather the last two weeks. According to the Cleveland Metroparks, walleye fishing along the Cleveland shoreline continues to be hot, especially at night. The best action has been in shallow—10 to 15 feet of water—using shallow stickbaits after dusk. During the day, switch to jigging or dragging crawler harnesses in 20-30 feet; it’s a little slower mid-day but still worth working the edges.
For smallmouth, they’re still hanging in the rivers and around rocky shoals but are wrapping up their spawn. Look to the mouth of the Rocky and Chagrin rivers and out to the first rocky structure off Edgewater and E. 72nd. Tubes, hair jigs, and Ned rigs are top picks, but don’t be afraid to finesse a drop shot if things get tough. The Metroparks report largemouth and smallmouth are both coming to hand in these areas.
Yellow perch numbers are looking decent from Cleveland east; the Ohio DNR says you’ve got a shot at some jumbos using spreaders or crappie rigs baited with emerald shiners. Just keep an eye on your limits: in the central zone (Cleveland), that’s 10 perch per angler, and it’s enforced.
Steelhead are still trickling in, showing around river mouths and marinas. Try trolling or casting spoons and stickbaits, or drift spawn sacs or maggots under a float out by the harbor mouths. Don’t be shocked if you tie into a stray lake trout, too, especially near Fairport Harbor.
A couple of hot spots for this week:
- The E. 72nd Street Fishing Area is putting up solid numbers of walleye and some mixed perch at dawn and dusk.
- Rocky River mouth and marina points are holding mixed smallies and a few surprise trout on cool mornings.
- Edgewater Park breakwalls are worth a look for night walleye and big catfish on the bottom with fresh cutbait.
Best baits this week:
- Walleye: shallow stickbaits after dark, crawler harnesses by day
- Perch: emerald shiners, crappie rigs
- Smallmouth: tubes, Ned rigs, small swimbaits
Remember your limits — and your PFD if you’re heading out in a boat.
Thanks for tuning in to your Lake Erie fishing report. If you like what you hear, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an update. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
