August is supposed to bring the “dog days” of summer fishing, but if recent activity is any indication, I wouldn’t hang up my rods and wait for Labor Day to return to the water.

Reports from Lake Erie say the central basin waters off Fairport Harbor, Geneva and Ashtabula continue to produce for anglers working a wide range of depths with a variety of tactics.

Inland anglers also are catching fish. Walleyes and bass are biting at Pymatuning and bass, crappies and bluegills are showing up on the edges of Mosquito’s sprawling weed beds.

Up on Erie, anglers are catching eating-size walleyes in depths ranging from near-shore 25- to 30-foot zones all the way out to the 50- and 60-foot flats. Trolling crankbait and spinner-nightcrawler rigs have been productive.

Erie anglers are finding walleyes around the large schools of baitfish, which are easy to locate on today’s sophisticated sonar. Fish up to 25 inches are showing up along with the 16- to 18-inch eaters many prefer.

At Pymatuning, meanwhile, the walleye fishing has slowed a bit since spring, but fish are biting jig-and-bait combos worked around the weed lines.

Pymatuning’s vegetation also supports a big population of yellow perch, which are preferred food for the walleyes as well as the numerous largemouth bass. Anglers are hooking up with big bass throughout the lake, including the large spreads of lily pads where the bigmouths find shad, security, and easy hunting throughout the summer.

Closer to Warren and Youngstown, Mosquito has been one of Ohio’s hottest bass lakes this summer. Tournament scoreboards are a good indicator of the bass action, and they’ve been showing big numbers throughout July. A recent DoBass NOAA tournament was won with a five-bass limit of more than 22 pounds.

As they are at Pymatuning, Mosquito’s weed beds are loaded with yellow perch, bluegills and other small baitfish and crawfish that are the foundation of the food chain for predators like bass and walleyes.

Panfishing action also is good around the weeds, with boaters picking through lots of crappies to find keepers. They also are scoring on nice-sized bluegills near throughout the lake.

We may be heading into summer’s dog days, but the action is likely to be pretty fishy.

(subhead) Kids tournament coming to Pymatuning

The Pymatuning Lake Association is organizing a free fishing derby for children Aug. 6-7 out of the Espyville Boat Launch.

The competition is open to ages 2 to 15. Prizes will be awarded for bass, bluegills, carp, catfish, crappies, walleye, and perch. Contestants may bring in one fish per species. All fish must be the legal size and alive.

Visit tinyurl.com/KidsFish22 to register children in advance. Derby hours are 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 6) and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday (Aug. 7). Anglers must check in at Espyville to get gear and a wristband.

Jack Wollitz’s book, “The Common Angler,” explores the fun stuff that makes fishing a passion for so many people. He appreciates emails from readers. Send a note to jackbbaass@gmail.com.