Western Basin Walleye Where: Walleye fishing has been slow in the western basin. The best reports have come north of North Bass Island and along the Canadian border to Gull Island Shoal. As water temperatures drop walleye should return to the island area from farther east. How: Anglers trolling are using crankbaits, worm harnesses with inline weights, divers or bottom bouncers, and spoons pulled behind divers. Anglers casting are using mayfly rigs or are drifting with bottom bouncers and worm harnesses. Yellow Perch Where: Yellow perch fishing has been good based on numbers of fish and the size of the fish is starting to improve as temperatures drop. The best spots have been the Toledo lighthouse, 3 miles north of Little Cedar Point, west of West Sister Island, the green buoy off Catawba State Park, east of Middle Bass Island, off Kelleys Island airport reef, southeast of Kelleys Island Shoal, between Kelleys Island and Marblehead, and the dumping grounds east of Marblehead. How: Perch spreaders with shiners fished near the bottom produce the most fish. Smallmouth Bass Where: Smallmouth bass are being caught around the Bass islands and Kelleys Island. How: Smallmouth bass have been caught on tube jigs, crankbaits and jerkbaits. Largemouth bass Where: Largemouth bass are being caught in harbors and bays in the western basin and around Marblehead. How: Largemouth bass are being caught on crankbaits, spinner baits and soft plastics
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