“This regulation was aimed at protecting spawning fish,” Bader said. “Traditionally, the smallmouth harvest was in spring, and the new regulation eliminated that harvest. Overall harvest numbers for smallmouths are very low compared to years prior to the regulation.”

After reducing or eliminating the number of bass taken during the peak spawning months, Lake Erie smallmouth numbers are up. The reduction in harvest should also greatly increase the number of trophy-sized smallmouths in the lake.

DNR biologist are quick to point out that it’s still too early back up these conjectures with statistical data. But smallmouth anglers need only try their luck this spring to see the difference. More large smallmouths are being taken, and small fish can be caught so readily in some places that they almost become a distraction.

The western basin is still the primary smallmouth haunt on Lake Erie. Most of the fish are concentrated around the Bass islands, Kelleys Island, the Camp Perry firing zone reef complex and near shore areas from Portage River to Cedar Point and Sandusky Bay. The fish can range from 4 to 6 pounds, and anglers take fish better than 8 pounds there nearly every year.

Though the western basin is famous for its smallmouths, the central and eastern basins also produce great catches. Ruggles Reef is still a great spring smallmouth hotspot, and any of the near-shore areas and break walls can produce 5-pound smallmouths.

YELLOW PERCH
“Perch fishing on Lake Erie has been very consistent,” said biologist Bader. “Last year, the harvest was about 5.9 million fish, which is on par with the previous year.”

In fact, Bader pointed out that the perch harvest has stayed around 6 million fish since 1996.

“The harvest was composed of about 40 percent of the fish from the 2003 spawn and another 40 percent from the 2001 year-class,” Bader noted, adding that this year’s harvest is likely to be dominated by the same age groups.

“There will be quite a few jumbos in the 2001 and 2003 year-classes,” Bader said.

March and May are historically the most productive months for Lake Erie’s yellow perch. If past history holds true, most of the year’s jumbo perch (those over 12 inches) will be caught this month.

Anglers can expect fall fishing to be nearly as good, with the peak of the action starting in September and continuing through ice-up.

For May perch anglers, the western basin around Kelleys Island, the Bass islands, and Marblehead are all hotspots.

Anglers should also fish within a mile or two of any of the break walls, harbor mouths or river discharges for the typically larger perch of the central and western basins. Any of the areas from Huron east would be good bets for a full creel.

Bank fishermen can take advantage of spring perch that spawn in shallow water close to shore. Later, the fish may be miles offshore and unreachable without a boat.

There is no size limit for Lake Erie perch, but a 40-fish creel limit is in effect.

STEELHEAD
“Steelhead harvest numbers last year were lower than in previous years,” Bader said -- but noted that when the walleye, bass and perch are hitting well, most of Lake Erie’s anglers are content to fish for them instead of traveling long distances offshore to catch steelhead.