***Monday November 30 morning update: The Rocky River is exhibiting excellent fishing conditions this morning and there have been many reports of steelhead success over the past two days.***
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 low in level and clear, and steelhead fishing has been on the stale side accordingly. 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 along the Cleveland lakefront for shore and boat anglers when the conditions have allowed.
The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are on the low and clear side and steelhead fishing is stale accordingly. 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. The best reports I've had this week are from anglers taking small watercraft into the river near the lake and casting spoons, crankbaits, and spinners. In clear water, a jig tipped with maggots or live minnow under a float is a good way to hook a wary steelhead. Fly fishing with egg, nymph, and streamer patterns can also work well in clear water.
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 have allowed, yellow perch anglers around Cleveland have reported an overall good bite in 32-40 FOW off E72nd/Gordon Park and Bratenahl. A fair number of nice perch have also been 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. 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] .
Happy Thanksgiving,
Mike
Donald caught this steelhead trout at Edgewater Park on Saturday (photo courtesy of Donal Toll).
Chris notes regarding his mixed steelhead/walleye catch "I've been having a lot of fun fishing the Lake Erie shoreline after dark and can't wait to get on the river. Here's a couple fish from the other night. Both fish hit a size 14 silver/blue Husky Jerk." (photos courtesy of Chris Jaroscak).
Father and son Mike and Adam have been catching the trout real good at the Ohio & Erie Canal. On a related note, the first round of winter trout stocking in our lakes is on track to occur by mid-December. Stay tuned for details (photos courtesy of Mike Flachbart).
Dane shares "I got out last weekend and landed one on Saturday and one on Sunday - rocking the Manziel jersey for both I thought for sure it was going to be Browns victory since i was catching" (photos courtesy of Dane Seikel).
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Charlie scored a nicely colored buck steelie on the fly rod (photo courtesy of Charlie Seibolt).
Bill and Andy have found success on the Rock recently (photos courtesy of Bill Wahl).
John caught this feisty Rocky River skipper steelhead on a jig (photo courtesy of John Fay).
In this installment of Know Your Fish, who can name this species caught in the Rocky River? Please post guesses in the comments section and I'll post the answer there next week (photo courtesy of Dane Seikel).
We stocked some decent size largemouth bass at Wallace Lake last Friday afternoon.
An updated Beyer's Pond depth map is available <here>. Other recently completed lake depth maps are available <here>. Shadow Lake will be available next.
Since there were fewer photos submitted this week, I figured I'd add a few of my own. I caught a few quality brown trout on a trip to fish a few Lake Michigan tributaries this past weekend.
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.