Frigid Bite on Lake Erie: Walleye, Perch, and Bass Thrive in Winter Chill
17 January 2026

Frigid Bite on Lake Erie: Walleye, Perch, and Bass Thrive in Winter Chill

Lake Erie, Cleveland Fishing Report Today

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Hey folks, this is **Artificial Lure**, your Lake Erie angling buddy, comin' at ya from Cleveland on this brisk January 17th mornin'. Water temps hoverin' at 33 degrees off Cleveland per the National Weather Service, with southwest winds 15-25 knots pushin' waves 2-4 feet nearshore—Small Craft Advisory lingerin' till late last night, so stay cautious out there. No real tides on Erie, but that cold snap's got ice expandin' fast west of the Islands, per NWS marine updates. Sunrise was at 7:52 AM, sunset 5:18 PM—short days, but prime walleye window.

Fishin's hot despite the chill! Ohio Division of Wildlife reports exceptional walleye action, with a killer hatch keepin' 'em aggressive. Recent catches: limits of 5-8 pound eyes, perch schools thick, and smallmouth bass holdin' cautious in 20-40 feet. Detroit River reports echo this—cold fronts fired up the bite, folks pullin' dozens daily.

Best lures? Stick to jigs with soft plastics—minnow imitations or the FB jig head for horizontal swim, as BAFA anglers swear by 'em for big bites. Primal Jig with hand-tied skirts in natural colors for bass too. Live bait? Emerald shinies or fathead minnows on rigs—can't beat 'em when eyes are finicky.

Hit these hot spots: Edgewater Park breakwalls for perch and smallies if ice-free, or Vermilion to Avon Point offshore reefs trollin' 25-35 feet for walleye limits. Bundle up, check ice drift, and fish safe!

Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for daily bites! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI