In fall, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include steelhead trout, yellow perch, walleye, and stocked trout. The Rocky River and other area streams finally received some much needed rain and look to be dropping into great shape for the weekend. This increase in flow will spread the fish out further, allowing them to migrate several miles upstream. 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>. Steelhead and yellow perch have been biting well along the Cleveland lakefront, and night walleye fishing is beginning to heat up.
The rivers are dropping in level and clearing after some much needed precipitation, and look to be in great shape for the weekend as long as the area does not receive too much additional rain. Be aware that there will be lots of leaves in the river for the next several weeks, making fishing a bit challenging at times. Steelhead continue to stage and feed on abundant emerald shiners along the Lake Erie shoreline (at Edgewater, E55th, and Wildwood parks), but the increase flow will draw a run of fish several miles into the Rocky and Chagrin rivers. Euclid Creek also receives some stray steelhead, as do other unstocked streams. Drifting a brightly colored dime to nickel size spawn sack under a float is a great way to hook steelhead when the rivers are stained, with offerings like jigs tipped with maggots, live minnows, and various flies working progressively better as the water clears. Popular methods for targeting Lake Erie shoreline steelies include suspending a jig tipped with minnow 2-5 feet below a bobber, as well as casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail).
Trout and catfish are available at Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area down the hill from CanalWay Visitor Center off E49th Street. Two weeks ago 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.
The yellow perch anglers around Cleveland are reporting a good bite in 37-38 FOW off Edgewater Park, 37-40 FOW off E72nd/Gordon Park, and 38-39 FOW off Wildwood Park, with other anglers reporting good catches right along the Cleveland breakwall out from shore when the lake has been rough. Anglers are using perch spreaders and live or salted shiners. Good size live emerald shiners are available at E55th Marina shop, which closes for the season on November 1st. Night walleye anglers are increasing in number off E72nd/Gordon Park as the water cools. 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>.
News from Chagrin River Outfitters. Dan at Chagrin River Outfitters wanted to let folks know that they will be hosting fly casting and fly tying demos with noted fly fisher April Vokey on November 10th. They are also having a steelhead photo contest. Check out www.chagrinriveroutfitters.com for details.
Great News Regarding The Lake Erie Fishery. ODNR officially reports that we experienced among the best walleye and yellow perch hatches in Lake Erie's recent history this year! More <here>.
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
Andy and Bill landed one out of two steelhead they hooked on the Rocky on Sunday (photo courtesy of Bill Wahl).
Richard caught this Chinook salmon (aka king salmon) in the Chagrin River this week on a jig with chartreuse head and olive marabou with some flash (photos courtesy of Richard Williams).
My former HS wrestling coach Jim Thomas caught a surprise steelhead (his first) while perch fishing on the Linda Mae party boat out of Wildwood Marina this week. Great job, coach! (photo courtesy of Jim Thomas).
Jeff notes regarding this pretty steelie "Caught this Rocky River steelhead on 10/26 on a jig tied by John Fay, named the Marie's Special in honor of a recently departed friend and angling supporter. Fish wasn't big but was feisty in the warmer temperatures" (photo courtesy of Jeff Sutliff).
This father and son had a great day of perching near the Cleveland lighthouse this past Saturday (photos courtesy of Todd Davitt).
Ray hooked five steelhead, landing three, at Edgewater Park on Monday. He was using a jig tipped with minnow beneath a bobber (photo courtesy of Ray Atkinson).
Dan at Chagrin River Outfitters shared these recent photos and wanted to let folks know they have some interesting upcoming events featuring April Vokey and Jeff Liskay. Learn more at www.chagrinriveroutfitters.com (photos courtesy of Dan Pribanic).
Greg caught a fine Rocky River steelhead this week despite the low water at the time (photos courtesy of Greg Young).
The Linda Mae party boat out of wildwood Marina in Euclid has been making some great yellow perch catches this week, as well as a few surprise fish (photos courtesy of Wildwood Marina).
The steelhead have been biting off the east facing breakwall at E55th this week (photo courtesy of Ranger Aaron Coleman).
"One man's trash is another man's treasure". On Monday we removed several hundred non-native carp from Lake Isaac and donated them to the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center to feed animals undergoing rehab for injuries at the facility.
An updated Wallace Lake depth map is available at the following link: <Wallace Lake Map>.
Joe had a custom reel built featuring the Rocky River's own Dunkleosteus! He notes "Growing up and learning to fish on the Rocky, this prehistoric predator means quite a bit to me" (photos courtesy of Joe Shaw).
Angel caught this king salmon on a trip to Michigan recently (photo courtesy of Matt Arroyo).
The Cleveland shoreline is beautiful day or night (photos courtesy of Owen Lockhart and Jared Maitino, respectively).
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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.