In fall, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include steelhead trout, yellow perch, and walleye. The Rocky River and other area streams are currently fairly low in level and clear, but a number of steelhead anglers reported success this week. To monitor the most recent river water level, temperature, and clarity (turbidity) you can check the following links: <Rocky River USGS flow gage data> <Chagrin River USGS flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. Yellow perch, walleye, and steelhead have all been biting great along the Cleveland lakefront for shore and boat anglers.
The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are on the low and clear side, but are still offering decent steelhead fishing this week. Large schools of emerald shiners are throughout the northern river segments, and abundant leaves are adding an element of challenge. The overall trend has been more skippers (14-18" steelhead) further north closer to the lake, and more larger adult steelhead further upstream. The Cuyahoga River and Euclid Creek also receive some stray steelhead, as do other unstocked streams. Drifting a dime size spawn sack, jig tipped with maggots, or live minnow under a float is a great way to hook a fall steelhead, and fly fishers are also reporting some success. Large numbers of steelhead continue to stage and feed on abundant emerald shiners and small gizzard shad along the Lake Erie shoreline (at Edgewater, E55th, and Wildwood parks). Popular methods for targeting Lake Erie shoreline steelies include suspending a jig tipped with minnow or nightcrawler 2-5 feet below a bobber, as well as casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail). Many of these fish traditionally enter the river in greater numbers following a good rain in late November-early December.
Trout and catfish are available at Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area down the hill from CanalWay Visitor Center off E49th Street. In October we stocked 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout and 600 pounds of farm raised channel catfish at this location. Note: the daily trout limit at this location is five per angler. Trout bite well on PowerBait, canned corn, small spinners, and jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms, and catfish love chicken liver. A nightcrawler worm or piece of shrimp fished right on the canal bottom offers a good bet of hooking either species.
When the lake conditions allow, yellow perch anglers around Cleveland are reporting an overall good bite in 32-40 FOW off E72nd/Gordon Park and Bratenahl, as well as Edgewater and Wildwood parks. A fair number of nice perch are also being caught by shore anglers on the north facing breakwall at E55th. Anglers are using perch spreaders and crappie rigs baited with emerald shiners. The shop at E55th is closed for the season, but emerald shiners are available in abundance along the shoreline and in local rivers for anglers who invest in an inexpensive umbrella net. Night walleye anglers are reporting great action off E72nd/Gordon Park from the shore and from boats casting and trolling stickbaits, with larger Husky Jerks and Perfect 10 models being top producers. White bass have also been biting for shore anglers around the E72nd powerplant. 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>.
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
Adam and his father spent some great father and son fishing time in Cleveland Metroparks this week, catching some huge bluegill at Wallace Lake and a two person limit of trout at Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area (photos courtesy of Mike Flachbart).
Another father and son, Bill and Andy, had a great week on the Rocky River. Bill shares "Veterans Day off was worth a visit to the Rock! This past weekend we also had some nice fish late in the day as it was almost getting dark. Minnows, jigs and spawn all worked. Keep up the good work- Andy and I enjoy the weekly posts!" (photos courtesy of Bill Wahl).
DeAngelo caught some beautiful walleye casting from shore at E72nd after dark this week. Husky Jerk and Perfect 10 stickbaits have both been working well (photos courtesy of DeAngelo Williams).
Sean caught this cool fish in the upper Cuyahoga River, and it is the Know Your Fish challenge this week. Please post guesses in the comments section and be specific. Father Michael notes of the experience "He got a snag on the first cast and we lost a Roostertail. Second cast he tells me tells me he's got a fish. I assume it's another snag but he pulled in the fish. Very fun" (photo courtesy of Michael Tobin).
Frank caught a steelhead along the lakefront on a minnow, and some shoreline perch are biting, too (photos courtesy of Mark Fascione).
Nick caught this brace of gorgeous walleye from the Lake Erie shore this week (photo courtesy of Nick Zarzeczny).
Joe took his kayak off the mouth of the Rocky River and was rewarded with this fine chromer (photo courtesy of Joe Sykes).
Jon and his father were targeting bass around Edgewater Park, but kept being interrupted by those "pesky" steelhead! (photos courtesy of Jon Jonela).
The Linda Mae headboat caught some great perch on Tuesday out of Wildwood Park in 32-39 FOW (photos courtesy of Wildwood Marina).
Nick is a model of persistence and perseverance! He caught his first steelhead four years ago and went through a dry spell until yesterday, when he caught his second steelie ever! He got the silvery 26.5" trout on his fifth cast on the lakefront using a 1/4 oz bright yellow RoosterTail spinner. Great job, Nick! (photo courtesy of Nick Gichenko).
These big bluegill were caught at Wallace Lake yesterday, along with a few bass (photo courtesy of Andrey Gutsulyak).
Matt is keeping the streak alive with another steelie this week. The 26" trout hit a RoadRunner jig tipped with nightcrawler along the Lake Erie shoreline (photo courtesy of Matt Arroyo).
The Zacharias family caught two largemouth bass on RoosterTail spinners at Hinckley Lake this week (photo courtesy of Bryan Zacharias).
An updated Ranger Lake depth map is available <here>. Other recently completed lake depth maps are available <here>.
Coming soon: updated depth maps for Beyer's Pond and Shadow Lake.
Wondering where all the big bluegill in the photos earlier in this report came from? We stocked nearly 200 giant bluegill and 100 largemouth bass in Wallace Lake last Friday. The fish came from a private source through donation arrangement.
Congratulations to Steve Nyetrae on reaching the milestone of 1,000 volunteer hours! As a token of appreciation the park awards folks a special jacket for this, which we surprised Steve with in the field this week.
This big buck was observed by an angler on the Rock this week (photos courtesy of Eric Roth).
This giant crayfish was found by an angler this week. He dubbed it a "Rocky River lobster"! (photo courtesy of Russ Ring).
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.