As we move into early fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include steelhead trout, smallmouth bass, and panfish. Local streams are currently low and running clear, and with little additional rain in the short term forecast these conditions should not change much over the weekend. Anglers can check the latest river flows and temperature at the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data> <Chagrin River flow gage data>. Lake Erie anglers are targeting yellow perch, walleye, white bass, and smallmouth bass.
A modest number of early steelhead have continued to linger around the marina and mouth of the Rocky River this week, although a fair number of fish have also been observed up to Cedar Point Road where the river splits. Fish have also been reported from the northern Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers. Some steelhead have also been caught off the shoreline at E55th this week. Most of the steelies have been 24-30", with few of the smaller 16-20" skippers making an appearance yet. Early fall steelhead will hit spoons/spinners (Little Cleo, Vibrax and Rooster Tail all being proven producers), as well as jigs and spawn. The fishing will only continue to get better as we move further into fall. A few decent size smallmouth bass are being hooked in the river, as well.
The yellow perch bite has been good when lake conditions permit. Perch have been biting on and off from the north facing breakwall at E55th Street. Anglers are using perch spreaders and live emerald shiners, which can be purchased at the bait shop right at the E55th Marina building. Boating anglers have reported success off Rocky River/Gold Coast in 50-60?�+, Edgewater Park in 40-60', Gordon Park/E72nd Street in 57-60?�+' and Wildwood Park in 59-63'. The walleye night bite along the shoreline at E72nd and Edgewater is just getting started and will be heating up as we move into fall. Smallmouth bass have been lurking around nearshore structure, as well. 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>.
Outdoor Odyssey is coming this Saturday! Come out to the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area on Saturday October 11 and join us from noon until 4:00pm for Outdoor Odyssey, a free event with a focus on fishing and other kid friendly outdoor pursuits. 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout and 600 pounds of farm raised channel catfish have been stocked specifically for this event by Cleveland Metroparks, and fishing gear can be loaned out for free for those who need it. Please note, the OEC fishing area will be clearly posted as closed to fishing until the event and will be strictly enforced by our Rangers. More information on this event can be found at the following link: <2014 Outdoor Odyssey Info>
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
Fabio and Yuri checked in to report steelies in the Chagrin have been munching their swung flies (photos courtesy of Fabio Malaspina).
Lance had a great morning at the marina today casting spoons (photos courtesy of Lance Masarik).
Andrew caught this chrome steelhead at E55th St breakwall on a pink jig tipped with a minnow and a few maggots. He reports it gave a spirited fight (photo courtesy of Andrew).
John caught this Rocky River chromer on a pink spawn sack on Saturday. He reports the fish was an exciting fighter, leaping repeatedly (photo courtesy of John Hartman).
This photo from the Rock this week is serving double duty. First to congratulate young Colin on his first ever fly rod caught fish, which will surely be the first of many! Second, it is the Know Your Fish challenge for this week. Please post your guesses in the comments below (photo courtesy of Tim Daley).
Charlie caught this handsome buck while fly fishing by the marina on the Rock this week (photo courtesy of Charlie Seibolt).
Chris earned bronze and silver (smallmouth bass and steelhead) on the Rock this week (photos courtesy of Chris Nurse).
Nate earned gold and bronze (carp and smallmouth) on the Rock this week (photos courtesy of Nate Adams).
Ron, Tony and Scott (not pictured) have been catching some fine yellow perch and bonus big white bass in Lake Erie (photos courtesy of Scott Bendler).
Sean struck Rocky River silver this week drifting an orange spawn sack (photo courtesy of Sean Fenton).
Lenney reports "So I decided to begin center-pinning this year and it?�+s been a persistent past 2 weeks with no reward and lots of learning. Got out after work yesterday and headed to Rockcliff. After 3 hours of nothing and fish rolling EVERYWHERE teasing everyone, finally 1 was caught. Then 1 hour later my float went down and the fight was ON!!!! After an 8 minute battle, I landed this nice buck on a minnow. First steelie of the season and first fish on the pin! WHOOOOHOOOO!!!!! Glad I decided to begin my centerpin journey this year! #TightLines2ALL" (photo courtesy of Lenney S.).
John caught this beast largemouth bass at an undisclosed location on a black and brown skirted jig. The trophy fish was released. John reports the best bass fishing in his 58 years, having landed 5 bass over 5 pounds in 2014 (photo courtesy of John Dix).
As evidenced by the photos above, we sampled quite a few nice steelhead (these are only a handful of them), as well as a few bonus smallmouth, by the marina last Friday. We were targeting a couple of smaller steelhead to display live at the Steelhead Expo this past Saturday.
These two steelies had obvious sea lamprey wounds. I'd estimate about 20% of the big trout I've observed this year have had lamprey wounds or scars. ODNR reports the lamprey control target for Lake Erie is under 3.5K adult lamprey, but recent estimate of their abundance is 16.6K adults. This is not good news.
Do you want to make Steve the volunteer sad? No, you say? Then do not litter! Here Steve is frowning his disapproval at trash left behind by careless visitors of Ranger Lake.
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.