As we move into mid fall, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include steelhead trout, walleye, yellow perch, white bass, and panfish. Local streams are low and clear with quite a few leaves in the water and steelhead fishing has been fair accordingly, but that could change with rain in the forecast into the weekend. Lake Erie is choppy this morning with 3-4' waves nearshore in Cleveland. The multi-species bite at E55th breakwall has been good this week. Anglers can check the latest river flows and temperature at the following links: <Rocky River flow gage data> <Chagrin River flow gage data>.
The Rocky River and other areas streams are running low and clear at the moment, but that could change with significant rain in the forecast the next two days. Lots of fallen leaves in the water have added another challenge for anglers. Fresher steelhead are being taken in the northern river reaches, such as around the marina and river mouth, although fish with some color (meaning they've been in the river longer) have been observed all the way up to Berea Falls on the East Branch Rocky River this week. Pods of steelhead are present throughout the system, primarily in deeper holes given the current conditions. A few fish have even been reported spawning further upstream. Skippers (smaller 15-18" steelhead) are beginning to show up in increasing numbers to complement the adult steelhead that have made up the bulk of the catch so far this season. Spinners (Vibrax, Roostertail) and spoons (Little Cleos) are also popular for autumn steel, especially in the northern river reaches and in the lake. Small eggs sacks, live minnows, small jigs tipped with maggots, and various fly patterns (small eggs, streamers, and nymphs) have all accounted for part of the catch this week. There are an increasing number of minnows in the northern river at this time, which draw in feeding steelhead.
The shoreline fishing at E55th and E72nd breakwalls has been decent again this week, and will only get better. Anglers have been catching steelhead, trophy size white bass, walleye, a few jumbo yellow perch, and even northern pike this week. Small jigs tipped with emerald shiner minnows and a few maggots 2-4 feet under a bobber account for many of the steelhead caught there this time of year, and minnows fished on the bottom account for the yellow perch and white bass. The night walleye bite casting from shore at E55th and E72nd is also getting good, with Husky Jerks, Rattlin' Rogues, and rattle type shad crankbaits being the top producers. White bass can also be targeted with spinners or with small jigs or spoons fished behind agitator style bobbers. Similar opportunities are also present off the rocks at Edgewater and Wildwood parks. Wise anglers bring a long handed net when fishing these sites, and be very careful on those slippery shoreline rocks!
Fishing prospects at the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area are currently excellent. Earlier this month 600 pounds of farm raised channel catfish and 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout were stocked at this location and plenty of these fish remain to be caught. Trout bite well on PowerBait, small jigs tipped with a few maggots and spinners , and catfish bite well on chicken liver and raw shrimp. Either species can be taken on a nightcrawler fished on the canal bottom with a small sinker. The trout limit at this site is 5 fish per angler per day.
As the lake permits, boating anglers have been chasing yellow perch and night walleye. Yellow perch have not exhibited a consistent pattern lately, but some anglers have reported good catches in 40-50' off the stadium and Edgewater Park, 38-48' off Gordon Park, and 45-52' off Wildwood Park. Lots of big white bass are being caught by perch anglers, as well. Walleye have been found in 10-30' off Cleveland, especially along the city breakwall after dark. Boaters are doing well from 8-11:00pm trolling Rattlin' Rogue and Husky Jerk stickbaits around E72nd. The ODNR Division of Wildlife weekly Lake Erie fishing report can be viewed <here>. Anglers/boaters can view current lake conditions off Cleveland at the following link: <City Of Cleveland Water Intake Crib Cam>.
Coe Creek Subwatershed Improvement Project and Volunteer Opportunity! Coe Creek is a tributary of the Rocky River that flows through Big Met Golf Course and the city of Fairview Park. The stream receives a few steelhead every spring, and I've even collected juvenile rainbow trout at the site in the past. Funded through the Ohio EPA Surface Water Improvement Fund, the Coe Creek Streambank Restoration Project will improve the stream by repairing an eroding streambank, demonstrating floodplain reconnection and increasing the width of the streamside forest. Coe Creek begins in North Olmsted before flowing through Fairview Park and ultimately into the Rocky River at Big Met Golf Course. The city of Fairview Park and the Rocky River Watershed Council are also looking for volunteers to help plant trees on Saturday November 1 at 8:00 AM in <Bain Park on W210th Street> in support of the project. A news story about the project can be found <here>. For more information, please visit www.MyRockyRiver.org or contact Jared Bartley, Rocky River Watershed Coordinator at 2(16) 524-6580 x14 or [email protected]
If you have a photo that you would like to contribute to the fishing report, or if you have any further questions regarding fishing in the Cleveland Metroparks, you may contact Aquatic Biologist Mike Durkalec at (440) 331-8017 or [email protected] .
Tight Lines,
Mike
Millard writes "Aaron's first experience reeling in a steelhead. Caught on spawn sack at Rocky River on Saturday. The fish was released. Fishing trip and catch credited to Matt Clingan" (photo courtesy of Millard Ball).
Congratulations to Michelle on catching her first steelhead this week, a beautiful Rocky River buck (photo courtesy of Michelle Haefele).
Jesse caught this brute buck steelie by the marina on a Gulp minnow on Tuesday afternoon.
Jon caught this monster 33", 12 pound, walleye off shore at E72nd Street access casting a firetiger color Husky Jerk after dark (photo courtesy of Jon Freni).
Pat caught this chromer at Rockcliff Springs on a Gulp minnow this week, and also enjoyed some wildlife viewing (photos courtesy of Pat Cramer).
Steelhead and various other species have been biting at the E55th breakwall this week.
Dan notes "Caught on a Worden?�+s Flash Glo. I buy these in Portland, OR when out west. Never see them anywhere else." (photo courtesy of Dan Potoczak).
Jim Ramsay (pictured) and Jeff had a nice evening trolling for walleye with lighted planer boards after dark off the E72nd lighthouse. The largest two 'eyes were 27", and they lost a steelhead, as well (photos courtesy of Jeff Shaw).
These steelies were caught in the Rock on big live shiners this week (photos courtesy of Sean Fenton).
On Friday Will shared "Spent the morning on the northern Chagrin and ended up going 2 for 6 on white and orange spawn sacks. There's a lot of quality fish in the system right now!" (photos courtesy of Will Ellis).
Joey (pictured) and his father Gary caught some fine walleye trolling Husky Jerk stickbaits off the stadium this week (photos courtesy of Gary Brandt).
"Wild Bill" caught this bruiser largemouth bass on a live creek chub on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Bill Keaton).
Joe shared "This is my dad Jon and the first steelhead he's caught in many years after not having a chance to get out and fish. He's still got it!! Glad to see my old man this happy. This guy was caught drifting a spawn sack under a bobber on the Rocky River. Caught and released 10/26. Thank you for all the hard work that goes into keeping our parks beautiful." (photo courtesy of Joe Miller).
Some fine yellow perch are being caught off the Express and Linda Mae party boats out of Euclid (photos courtesy of Wildwood Marina).
Troy caught this perfect chromer on an egg sucking leech (ESL) fly pattern in the Rock (photo courtesy of Troy).
Alan caught this channel catfish along the CLE shoreline of Lake Erie (photo courtesy of Alan Tomko).
On Monday the crew and I transferred some sportfish to Shadow Lake.
Bill caught this chrome steelie at Morley Ford on his 50th birthday. What a nice gift from the river! The fish munched a spawn sack (photo courtesy of Bill Arensberg).
Andrey caught this Rocky River hen on a white tube jig (photo courtesy of Andrey Gutsulyak).
Paul caught some chromers at E55th breakwall this past weekend on jigs tipped with minnows suspended under a bobber (photos courtesy of Paul Zee).
Bill is a blog reader from afar who visits Cleveland as often as he can. For the Know Your Fish challenge this week, can you identify this species (as well as one of its nicknames) which Bill caught in his home state of Washington this month. Please submit your answers in the comments section and I will post the answer there in a few days (photo courtesy of Bill Good).
Harrison caught what he reports was a great fighting steelie this week (photo courtesy of Harrison Vonderau).
Pete and Lee are among the CWRU Medical School Fishing Club members that are volunteering with our fisheries program this year.
You know a steelie is fresh when it has chrome streaks in the tail (photo courtesy of Ken Harper).
Nate was fishing the Rock when he made this surprise "catch". He jokes the big buck bit a red globug that looked like an apple. Our Rangers are investigating whether the dead buck Nate came across was the result of an attempted poaching incident (photo courtesy of Nate Adams).
Note: The fishing report is updated monthly in June, July, and August and weekly every other month
***Note: All photo submissions must first complete the Cleveland Metroparks photo waiver.***
2024 Cleveland Metroparks Registered Fishing Guides
(name, company, contact)
- #24-001 Gareth Thomas, Alley Grabs Guide Service, [email protected] (216) 235-5056
- #24-002 Jeff Liskay, Great Lakes Flyfishing LLC, [email protected] (440) 781-7536
- #24-003 Monte Casey, The Steelhead Guide, (440) 773-8064 www.steelheadguide.com
- #24-004 Anthony Montagnese, Covered Bridge Outfitters, [email protected] (440) 320-105
- #24-005 Lucas Smith, What That Vise Do LLC, [email protected] (724) 841-1564
- #24-006 Nicholas DelVecchio, Wildwood Outfitters, [email protected] (724) 433-2315
- #24-007 Nate Miller, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com (440) 796-6105
- #24-008 Jim Lampros, [email protected] (216) 513-6011
More information on Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Guide Permit requirements, including the permit application, you may check the following link:
<Fishing Guide Permit Program>
Learn how you can support recreation opportunities through a donation to the Cleveland Metroparks
Fishing Fund.