7 DEC 2025 · Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Lake Erie Cleveland fishing report.
We’re sitting on a light southwest flow this morning along the nearshore, about 5–15 knots with 1–2 footers, according to the National Weather Service marine desk out of Cleveland. Water temp off Cleveland is hanging in the mid‑40s, cool but not frigid, which keeps late‑season fish moving. Skies are mixed clouds with a couple of weak disturbances sliding through, so expect scattered flurries inland and a gray ceiling on the lake more often than not. Sunrise is right around 7:40 a.m., sunset roughly 4:55 p.m., giving you a short but productive window.
Fish activity’s been classic early‑winter Erie. Local captains and bait shops along the East 72nd Street and Edgewater ramps are still talking up strong walleye action a few miles out when the lake lays down. Most boats are running slow, 1.2–1.6 mph, pulling deep‑diving crankbaits and small spoons on divers. Schemes in gold, purple, and firetiger are getting bit, especially with a touch of glow in this off‑and‑on cloud cover. Limits have been common on the good days, with plenty of 18–24 inch eaters and a few bigger fish mixed in.
Closer to shore, the steelhead game is the main show. Tributaries east and west of town—like the Rocky, Chagrin, and Grand—are holding decent numbers after recent pushes. Regional steelhead anglers on social channels and in recent Lake Erie central‑basin videos near Cleveland are showing steady hookups drifting small spawn sacks and beads under floats. Cleo‑style spoons, white marabou jigs, and 3‑inch pearl soft plastics have been solid for guys who prefer hardware.
For bait, if you’re chasing walleye out of Cleveland Harbor or Edgewater, pack emerald shiner‑pattern crankbaits, worm harnesses with nightcrawlers if you can find good ones, and a few blade baits or jigging raps to work vertically when the wind stacks fish tight to structure. Inside the breakwalls, blade baits in silver, gold, or perch patterns can also pick off bonus smallmouth and the odd late‑straggler yellow perch around rocks and drop‑offs.
Two hot spots to circle today:
• **Cleveland Harbor / East 72nd** – Work just outside the breakwall in 30–45 feet when the wind is manageable. Slow‑trolled cranks on planer boards and divers are still putting quality walleye in the box. On rougher days, tuck inside and jig blades along the rocks.
• **Mouth of the Rocky River at the Emerald Necklace Marina** – Good blend of pier casting and trib fishing. Cast spoons and jigs off the mouth for steelhead, then slide upriver drifting spawn and beads in the deeper runs. That stain/green mix water is money.
If you’re punching farther east, the Chagrin River access near the Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation has been a quiet but consistent steelhead option, especially on weekdays when pressure is lighter.
Timing‑wise, with our short daylight, the hour around sunrise and that 2–4 p.m. pre‑sunset window have been the best. Cloud cover today helps stretch the bite, but the big girls still like those low‑light edges.
That’s your on‑the‑water rundown from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next report.
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