Good morning, this is Artificial Lure with your Wednesday, October 22nd fishing report for the Lake Erie area around Cleveland.
We’ve got a wild start to the day out on the lake: the National Weather Service Cleveland says a Small Craft Advisory remains till at least Friday morning, with strong southwest winds 20–30 knots and gusts up to 40. Waves are rolling at 5–8 feet, occasionally hitting 10. Conditions will be hazardous for anyone in smaller boats, so please keep safety top of mind. Air temps are running cool, water’s about 64°F off Cleveland, and we’re deep into fall patterns now.
Sunrise today is at 7:44 AM, and you’ll see the sun set at 6:38 PM. With these shorter days and dropping water temps, the bite is moving into high gear.
Let’s talk what’s hot. Walleye action is picking up fast as we slide through October. Tim Joseph of Lighthouse Fishing Adventures calls this one of the best times of year for big fish and quick limits—most catches are running 18 to 24 inches, and some trophies are showing up. Folks are bringing in their six-fish limits regularly when the wind lets up. Recent Ohio state trawl surveys reported by Outdoor News confirm that the walleye population is riding an above-average wave, so prospects are looking strong heading into winter.
For those hunting yellow perch, it’s been a banner autumn. Limits are common, and the average perch is running 8 to 12 inches, some bigger mixed in. Most local anglers are pulling them up tight to bottom with shiner minnows on perch crappie rigs. Light line, slow lifts, and stay near those rocky shoals or deep humps off East 72nd Street or the Cleveland Harbor breakwalls.
It’s prime crankbait season for walleye—troll Bandits or Reef Runners along 20–30 foot contours close to river mouths or rocky points as the fish are chomping down before winter. After dark, try trolling shallow crankbaits just outside the breakwalls; late-evening is when those wall hangers move in to hunt. Twin-tail jigs bounced along structure are also producing, especially near the Lorain sandbar and Gordon Park reefs.
Don’t forget, the fall steelhead run is officially here. Reports from local pier anglers and tributary crews say 5–6 pounders are being landed from the Chagrin and Rocky Rivers, and some bigger fish are hitting egg sacks or small jigs tipped with maggots. If you want some fast action, work the mouth of the Rocky River or Euclid Creek first thing in the morning—watch for pods chasing baitfish close to shore.
Bass and crappie are feeding heavy, especially around harbor docks and riprap. Try small crankbaits or live minnows, and don’t overlook sunfish roaming in snug schools.
If you want the hot spots, East 72nd Street Marina, Edgewater Park, and the mouth of the Rocky River have all put up some solid stringers these past few days. Off the beaten path, the Vermilion breakwalls and Gordon Park reefs are loaded with feeding walleye and perch when the wave sets settle down.
As always, make sure to check those wind and wave forecasts before heading out, watch for floating debris, and be prepared for quick weather shifts.
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