Catawba Fishing Brief - 2026-07-15
Western Basin Lake Erie waypoints. Verified against Coe Vanna Charters + Natural Atlas. Mouse Island Reef is the structure ~0.94 nm N of the island itself. 7/15 is a GO on the water (wind W/WSW 5-10 kt, buoy 9.7 kt WSW, waves 1 ft or less, no marine advisories) but a HEAT ADVISORY is in effect noon-8 PM EDT with heat index to 99-104. Fish the morning, hydrate, be off the water before the afternoon peak. WSW is the friendly lee quadrant so the WNW reefs are reachable - just go early. Water 78.8F, full summer scatter - troll to find pods, jig what you mark. Smoke moves in tonight/Thursday.
Reel Quest

Catawba Pt Assoc Launch
APPROXIMATE. Private community ramp at the tip of Catawba near Mouse Island. Verify exact location.
Launch

Mouse Island REEF
VERIFIED. Actual fishing reef, NOT the island. ~1.2 nm NNE of launch. Limestone shoal, 0.33 sq mi, least depth 9 ft. At 78.8F troll the perimeter to find scattered pods, jig back through them. Closest reef and the best shakeout stop off the ramp - and the smart early-morning first stop before the heat builds.
Fishing

Niagara Reef (buoy 5)
VERIFIED. Lighted buoy 5 marks the reef. ~6 nm WNW of launch. Best structure in range - W/WSW wind keeps the open run comfortable (1 ft or less). Take the reef early before the noon heat. Troll 18-22 ft edges, jig rocky outskirts 12-16 FOW.
Fishing

Round Reef
VERIFIED (Coe Vanna). Named in lakeeriefish for jigging, 10-16 FOW. ~5 nm WNW of launch, part of the Niagara/Round reef complex. Fish it alongside Niagara on the morning run.
Fishing

Marblehead Current
APPROXIMATE. Just E of Marblehead Lighthouse in current break. High-current walleye zone named in lakeeriefish. A good early troll close to home. Reef Runner / Husky Jerk 18-28 FOW @ 1.5 mph, bottom third. Verify exact current break with fish finder. Quick bail to Catawba or Port Clinton if the heat gets to you.

Toussaint Reef
VERIFIED. Named in lakeeriefish for jigging. ~9 nm W of launch. A long open-water haul - fishable on a light-wind day but a long way out in the heat. Only if you get an early start.

Crib Reef (buoy 7)
VERIFIED. Buoy 7 marks it. ~10 nm NE of launch. Less crowded than Niagara. The longest haul on the list - a reachable option on light wind but a lot of exposed running in the heat.