• Early May Fishing Report: Smallmouth, Steelhead, and More Biting on Lake Erie and Cleveland Waterways

  • May 5 2025
  • Durée: 3 min
  • Podcast

Early May Fishing Report: Smallmouth, Steelhead, and More Biting on Lake Erie and Cleveland Waterways

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  • Résumé

  • Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie and Cleveland-area fishing report for Monday, May 5, 2025. We’re heading into a classic early May pattern and things are looking up for anglers all around the North Coast. Let’s break it down.

    First off, weather’s typical spring on the lake—expect temps starting in the high 40s early morning, warming up to the low 60s by afternoon. Skies are mostly overcast with a good chance of some light rain and a steady southwest breeze that'll keep things interesting. Layer up and keep the raincoat handy. Sunrise will be about 6:10 AM and sunset around 8:25 PM, giving you a nice long window on the water.

    There’s no real tidal swing in Lake Erie, but water levels are steady. The recent bump in river flow from rain has the Rocky and Chagrin Rivers in good shape, and water clarity has been fair to decent.

    Now onto the action. Lake-run smallmouth bass are stealing the show right now. Folks are hooking into quality fish both in the lower stretches of Rocky and Chagrin rivers and right off the Cleveland shoreline. Reports are steady for good numbers of 2 to 4-pound smallmouth, with a few pushing 5 pounds landed this week. Productive lures have been olive or goby-pattern tube jigs, Ned rigs, and medium crankbaits. Live minnows on a drop-shot or under a bobber are hard to beat for numbers. Fly folks are doing well with streamer patterns that imitate shiners or gobies.

    Steelhead are just about finishing up for the season in the rivers, but you might find a few late runners in the deeper pools. Anglers are also seeing a mixed bag in the bay—perch, bluegill, and crappie are all waking up as the water warms. Yellow perch bite has been fair, though you’ll need to move around to find them. Try emerald shiners or small artificial minnows just off the bottom.

    If you’re after a multi-species day, give Edgewater Park or the E 72nd Street Marina a shot. Both are proven spring hotspots right now. Rocky River mouth is also producing solid numbers, especially around dawn and dusk.

    Right now, your best bets are
    - Tube jigs in olive, pumpkinseed, or natural goby colors
    - Ned rigs with green pumpkin or brown finesse plastics
    - Medium crankbaits for bass and pike along riprap or rocky points
    - Live emerald shiners for perch, either on a simple drop-shot or spreader rig

    Fishing is picking up fast and should only get better as the water continues to warm. Good luck, keep those lines tight, and I’ll see you out on the water!
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