As we begin our approach to fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include steelhead trout and smallmouth bass. The Rocky River and other area streams are currently low and clear, as they have been for the past several weeks. The next few days look to offer some rain in the forecast, but it will need to be quite a bit to affect our low rivers levels. Steelhead anglers are focusing on northernmost river reaches near Lake Erie and the lakefront. To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data> <Chagrin River flow gage data>. Lake Erie anglers are targeting yellow perch, walleye, steelhead, and smallmouth bass, and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.
The Rocky River was picked among the top ten steelhead streams in the Great Lakes in the October 2015 issue of Outdoor Life magazine! The rivers remain low and clear this week and in need of a good rain. This week has seen a continued modest number of reports of steelhead from the northern reaches of the Rocky and Chagrin rivers, Lake Erie shoreline (at Edgewater, E55th, and Wildwood parks), and in lower Euclid Creek. Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) near any river mouth or the lakefront rocks early in the morning, or in the evening, are as good a bet as any for connecting with an early fall steelhead trout. Please note: there will be bridge rehab work underway on Cedar Point Road bridge for approximately the next month which will impede the ability to fish there. Sorry for the temporary inconvenience while this much needed work is being carried out. ODNR has invited anglers to take an <Ohio Trout Angler Survey> through the end of October. Please consider taking a moment to do this and give important feedback to those who make this great fishery possible.
A fishing highlight this week has been opportunities at the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area down the hill from CanalWay Visitor Center off E49th Street. Late last week we stocked 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout and 600 pounds of farm raised channel catfish. 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.
The yellow perch anglers around Cleveland are reporting the bite picking up in 37-38 FOW off Edgewater Park, 37-40 FOW off E72nd/Gordon Park, and 38-39 FOW off Wildwood Park. Anglers are using perch spreaders and live or salted shiners, although most local bait shops have had golden shiners and fathead minnows in place of hard to find live emerald shiners. Salted emerald shiners and live golden shiners are available at E55th Marina, which is currently on fall hours (through November first, when they close for the year), which will be 9:00am-5:00pm daily. Perch are biting spottily from the north facing breakwall at E55th, 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>.
THANK YOU D'Arcy Egan from Cleveland Metroparks! D'Arcy Egan has recently retired from the Plain Dealer after an amazing 50 year career in journalism (38 of which were as the PD Outdoors writer). D'Arcy has been described as "an outdoorsman's outdoorsman", meaning he has always stood up for our interests on meaningful issues that affect our sport. From steelhead fishing, to algae blooms, to local events- D'Arcy always had something interesting to report on, and did so with a unique talent and zeal. And he was exceptionally supportive of Metroparks fishing (and other) offerings- always giving us generous press space. I am sorry to see him retire (although he will occasionally continue to contribute to the local paper), but I am happy to see a friend moving into a sure-to-be enjoyable next chapter in his life with his beautiful wife. Thank you, D'Arcy, from all of us at Cleveland Metroparks! An article about his retirement announcement can be found <here>.
Steelhead Fly Fishing Basics with Jeff Liskay on Saturday October 24h. This course is full with a wait list at this time. BUT PLEASE STILL CALL AND SIGN UP TO BE WAIT LISTED, IF INTERESTED, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WILL DRIVE ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS! On October 24th we are offering a Steelhead Fly Fishing Basics course with Jeff Liskay (a widely respected guide and industry rep who brings 40+ years of steelhead fishing experience to the table) at the Rocky River Nature Center from 9-12:30. This program has a cost recovery fee ($20) associated, which is far less expensive than hiring a guide for a day, and is already filling up- so sign up soon if interested (there is a cap of 15 attendees so students will recieve a high degree of 1 on 1 attention). Details can be found <here>.
?�nFall Dockage Specials at E55th Marina. As an FYI to late season Lake Erie fishing boaters, we are offering some fall specials on dockage at E55th Marina. Dockage from November 1-30 is available for $150. There will be electric, but no water, during this time. For dockage all of October and November the cost is $350 (although only four spaces are currently available for October). If interested call Lisa Buie at (216) 431-3280.
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
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Gavin was a volunteer at Fall Family Fishing Fest, and had a chance to take a few casts with a crayfish crankbait into the nearby Cuyahoga River. His efforts were rewarded with a beautiful bronze smallmouth bass! (photo courtesy of Gavin).
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Joe went prospecting on his kayak in the lower Rocky this week and was rewarded with some silver (photos courtesy of Joe Skyes).
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Kevin and a buddy found the jumbo perch in 39 feet of water off Wildwood Park this week (photo courtesy of Kevin Michnicki).
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Earl was fishing at the marina and landed a hen that jumped multiple times during an exciting battle.
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Matt caught a fine steelie on a black minnow jig with a single salmon egg along the lakefront this week, and his buddy Keith caught his first carp (photos courtesy of Matt Arroyo).
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The Inaugural Fall Family Fishing Fest was a success, resulting in many smiling young faces. One attendee wrote a nice blog entry detailing his experience at the event, which can be found at the October 11th entry <here>.
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Danny caught a plump rainbow trout at the Ohio & Erie Canal. 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout were stocked at this location last Friday.
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Bill is one of our blog followers from afar. Washington state, to be precise. He checked in to say "I always enjoy your fishing report. Just dropping a line to show off a couple of fresh Puget Sound river caught coho using pink salmon eggs. Our pink salmon season was quite good. Chums should be showing up soon along with some kings. Then steelhead. I can't get enough sleep. We are having a pretty good walleye season in eastern Washington right now. The Columbia River walleye fishery is quite good. But I can't be in two places at one time when the local salmon fishing is on. Anyway, just wanted to say hi and maybe I'll drop in for some local pointers when I'm back there within the next few months." (photo courtesy of Bill Good).
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Last week we stocked 600 pounds of farm raised channel catfish, and 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout, at Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. I also had a chance to tell my fish stories (bottom image- "It was THIS big!") to impressionable young minds that joined us with a school group to observe! (photos courtesy of Karen Lakus).
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Keep an eye out for a bunch of newly installed fishing line recycling stations. And please use them!
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The An Evening with Greg Senyo Fishing Fund benefit on Tuesday night was fun!?�n We raised $380 in door fees in the process of offering an informative session with Greg for local fly fishers (although one gentleman came in all the way from Pennsylvania!). Greg also generously donated 97of his hand tied spey flies ($600 value) and Chagrin River Outfitters donated a nice box for the flies. Thank you to all who came out!
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.