Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around Lake Erie, particularly in the Cleveland area, as of February 1, 2025.

First off, let's talk about the weather. We're experiencing a bit of a thaw after a cold spell, which is affecting the ice conditions on our lakes and rivers. The forecast indicates that the icy rivers are beginning to thaw, and this trend is expected to continue into the weekend. However, be cautious of ice jams as the rivers thaw.

For those into ice fishing, the recent mild weather has made the ice conditions more variable, especially on the smaller lakes and ponds. As of the last update, ice fishers have been targeting stocked trout at several lakes, including Shadow Lake, Ledge Lake, Judge’s Lake, Wallace Lake, and Ranger Lake. These lakes were recently stocked with a mix of rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, golden rainbow trout, and even some tiger trout.

When it comes to catching these trout through the ice, small baits and jigs under small ice floats are your best bet. Medium-sized jigging spoons, around 2-3 inches, worked at various depths can also be very effective. Tipping these spoons with a few maggots, a waxworm, or a small minnow can sometimes elicit more bites. For a simpler approach, a dime-sized ball of PowerBait on a bare hook or molded on a small jighead can also produce results.

If you're looking to fish in the Cleveland harbors, areas like the E55th Marina, Gordon Park/E72nd boat ramps, and Edgewater Park boat ramps are traditionally good spots. Here, you can catch steelhead, yellow perch, and northern pike. Steelhead will hit similar baits to the stocked trout, while yellow perch are best caught with small ice jigs tipped with maggots or waxworms. Northern pike are more likely to bite jigging spoons and live minnows.

For open water fishing, the Port of Cleveland is a hotspot for walleye. Fishing in 26-38 feet of water with Bandit Lures in blue-and-chrome and using trolling techniques can yield some big catches. The best time to catch walleye here is after dark.

In terms of fish activity, steelhead are still active in the rivers and harbors, with a daily limit of 2 and a minimum size of 12 inches. The daily limit for trout varies by location: 3 trout at Wallace, Ranger, Ledge, and Judge’s lakes, and 5 trout at Shadow Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal.

Sunrise today is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 5:30 PM. While there isn't a significant tidal report for Lake Erie, the thawing ice and changing water conditions are key factors to consider.

Before you head out, remember to check the ice thickness, especially if you're new to ice fishing. At least 4 inches of solid ice is recommended, and always fish with a friend and let someone know your whereabouts. Emergency ice picks and a floating survival suit are also good safety measures.

So, grab your gear and head out to these hot spots. The fish are biting, and with the right lures and baits, you're in for a great day of fishing in and around Lake Erie, Cleveland. Tight lines