Shiners?

Happy Hookers site said:
Shiner crisis in 2nd week now!
Weather, lake conditions (mud), and basically a topsy turvy lake has kept minnow boats from catching shiners.


I haven't been to the lake for a couple weeks, it must be a mess on the western end. I am wanting to go fishing this week. Can anyone tell me where the cleanest water is on the west end of the lake? And what bait works best other than emerald shiners? I have never fished for perch with anything else on Erie. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I have had good luck with golden shiners for yellow perch.:D

I also use night crawlers just enough to cover hook for the perch.

the water from maumee channel to west side of west sister is clean, limits of perch, as for shinners, ohio bait shops have none, michigan bait shops have tanks full. start at 6 miles out
work to red and white bouy or mcdonalds( green and white)

Sunday we used golden shiners from highway bait and found clean water on the N.W. side of N. Bass Island. Worked fine.

We fished Sunday at Gull Island north of Kelleys water was fine.
We then went to Kelley Island Shoal and fished for perch water was fine.
Caught 30 perch 2 men in 3 hours 10 to 12.5 inch long 12.5 pounds before cleaning. Caught many 7'' throw backs. My buddy caught a 6.5 lb 26.5'' walleye. There was 20 boats fishing for walleye near or on the shoal.
We were 100 yards south of the farthest east green can in 26 feet of water.
All we used was golden minnows. Spreaders with small silver flickers, gold hooks lay on bottom, lift 12'' not tap or tug drop back down if you feel anything different set the hook. I also caught a double both 11'' long.
I tell no tales.
LAST CAST:)

I just wanted to say thanks. LastCast,ReelTime,Wayne Johnson,Waterdog for your quick answers. I get a kick out of reading your posts when I am stuck at home.:D Also skipper-9 didn't chime in but I like his posts as well.

My boat is at Fenwicks ,I have an old 26.5ft. fourwinns and its not very fast. It would take alot of time and gas to run to kellys.( nice catch Last Cast)
So I think I will try looking for some clean water west of west sister.
And try to get some perch going with golden shiners.



Thanks again

The perch fishing was slow. To many dinks for my tastes.. we had live shinners, frozen shinners, and creek chubs. All produced fish. Lots of throw backs.. I don't like keeping anything less than 9 inches. Oh well.. meet some new friends. That was great....

I have used both goldies and fatheads in place of lake minnows, I think goldies work fine, but I can make fatheads as shiney as shiners in about 2 days if I know i wont be able to get regular shiners. Just put them in a white tank and put a bright light on them and they look just like shiners in 2 days