In fall highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River, other area streams, and Lake Erie include steelhead, yellow perch, walleye, and panfish. The Rocky River needed rain badly this week, being low and clear most of the past week with a growing accumulation of fallen leaves. There are lots of minnows in the river by the marina. To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following links: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data>. The steelhead bite from the Lake Erie shore has slowed this week at Edgewater and E55th, the yellow perch bite has also slowed, and walleye fishing after dark is picking up.
The Rocky River and other area streams were low and clear most of this week and received some much needed rain. Fishing had been stale accordingly with a growing accumulations of leaves making things even more challenging. Although fishing was slow by the marina earlier this week I witnessed a number of fish rolling- likely feeding on the abundance of minnows that are currently there. The Lake Erie shoreline steelhead bite has been hot at Edgewater and E55th has slowed this week, but some fish were still being caught. Be aware that conditions can be unfishable at most spots along the lakefront when there is a strong northerly wind, though. Suspending a jig tipped with maggots or a minnow under a float or casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with a lakefront steelhead trout. Steelhead fishing will only improve as we receive more precipitation further into fall.
The Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area was stocked with 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout, 600 pounds of big channel catfish, and 1,000 smaller catfish (the latter by ODNR Division of Wildlife) a month ago. Anglers at our inland lakes and ponds are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish. Wallace Lake, Ledge Lake, Shadow Lake, and Beyer's Pond are a few spots worth poking around in late summer/early fall.
The yellow perch bite has slowed off Cleveland this week. Anglers are using perch spreaders and live or salted shiners in 34-40 feet of water. The perch size has been very good. Schools of white bass have also been observed roving along the Cleveland shoreline. Night walleye fishing along the Cleveland shoreline has improved this week, with a number of great size fish entered into the Fall Brawl tournament recently. 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>.
Fly Tying Basics with Jeff Liskay on November 16 On Wednesday November 16 Cleveland Metroparks is offering a fly tying basics tutorial from expert guide and instructor Jeff Liskay at Merwin's Wharf. All materials are included with the course fee. You may learn more or RSVP <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
Congratulations to Jarred on catching his first steelhead ever in the Rocky River this week. He was using a jig tipped with maggots (photo courtesy of Jarred Bugg).
Dan caught a beauty in the Rock on Saturday morning (photo courtesy of Dan Kunsman).
Fred caught some fine steelies in the Rock by the Nature Center this week (photos courtesy of Fred Mieser).
Eric and his buddy got some nice steelhead and smallmouth bass fishing near the mouth of the Rocky River on Lake Erie this past weekend (photos courtesy of Eric Phillips).
Dalton has been making some good catches on the Cuyahoga River and Cleveland lakefront. Among them he caught a steelhead using a spinnerbait for bass! What is the strangest thing you ever saw a steelhead caught on (please share in comments below) (photos courtesy of Dalton Hayes).
Joe caught a hog walleye this week that is high in the Fall Brawl rakings currently (photo courtesy of Erie Outfitters).
Eric caught a buck chromer in the northern Rock this week (photo courtesy of Eric Tancak).
Robert landed a nice steelie at E55th this weekend that is exhibiting the "five gallon bucket curl" here (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).
Fabio rose to the challenge of swinging up a fine Chagrin River steelhead (photo courtesy of Fabio Malaspina).
Although the bite slowed down this week some steelhead were still being caught at Edgewater on Monday.
Matt was casting a spoon for steelhead from the lakeshore and felt light "ticks" on several casts in a row when he finally hooked this light biting largemouth bass (photo courtesy of Matt Arroyo).
The McCutcheon brothers' nocturnal activities have included hooking some fine Rocky River steelhead. They like using glow jigs and lighted floats. Their after-dark exploits have earned then the nicknames "Drac" and "Nightstalker" from friends! (photos courtesy of Brion and Dam McCutcheon).
On Sunday afternoon my friend Rich and his daughter Maddie joined me for some perch fishing. While the fishing was slow all around that day the perch we did catch were impressive sizes, and the white bass even more so!
Visitors to the river behind the Lakewood wastewater treatment plant are greeted to a new interpretive sign explaining a recent improvements in regards to erosion control and angler access.
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.