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 is low and clear and needs more rain badly this week. 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 been fair this week at Edgewater and E55th, the yellow perch and walleye night walleye fishing after dark has been good.
The Rocky River and other area streams are low and clear this week need rain, which we may receive over the weekend. Fishing had been stale accordingly with a growing accumulations of leaves making things even more challenging. There are lots of minnows in the river by the marina. The Lake Erie shoreline steelhead bite has been decent at Edgewater and E55th this week. 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. The first round of winter trout stocking at our inland lakes will take place around mid-December. Anglers can keep posted to the Fishing Blog for updates on that.
The yellow perch bite has been decent off Cleveland this week. Anglers are using perch spreaders and emerald shiners in 30-40 feet of water, with quite a few anglers focusing on the east end of the Cleveland breakwall. 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 was good this week, with a number of great size fish entered into the Fall Brawl tournament recently. Walleye anglers are casting or trolling Perfect Ten and Husky Jerk crankbaits around E72nd after dark. 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>.
Monday Meet-Up: What's Up with Rocky River Watershed Council November 21. From 6 ?�( 7:30 p.m. at the Rocky River Nature Center, Rocky River Reservation the Watershed Volunteer Program will be facilitating an opportunity for folks to learn about the Rocky River Watershed Council. Among the activities the group will cover monitoring efforts, as well as describing how the volunteer-driven Rocky River Watershed Council (RRWC) is working to restore and protect the Rocky River and its tributaries. The group will highlight its Stream Team approach, recent and ongoing restoration projects, and how data from its water quality monitoring program is utilized to restore the watershed. Attendees will also get the opportunity to participate in a water quality monitoring demonstration and to become volunteer water monitors. Refreshments provided by RRWC. Registration required. To register <click here>.
Lost on the Rocky River: Fishing Rod. A local angler left behind an Ugly Stik fishing rod by Lagoon Dam on Friday evening and she would love to get it back. If you found it, it would be appreciated if you could contact me to arrange its return. Thank you.
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
Matt caught this surprise Chinook salmon, aka king salmon, while swinging a fly on the Chagrin River on November 11. The fish was most likely a stray from Michigan (photo courtesy of Matt Gracon).
And speaking of king salmon Bill shared "Was fishing the lower Rocky today and CHECK THIS OUT! I caught 1 king salmon and a steelie, and another guy came down and on his first cast of a Little Cleo he nailed this king. His name is Ed Knoblauch. He said it was the biggest fish he had ever caught and was extremely excited" (photos courtesy of Bill Britt).
This steelhead was caught in Big Creek by the Zoo. The stream is a tributary of the Cuyahoga River (photo courtesy of Mary Taylor).
Bill relays "We have been trying out a few eastern tributaries when the Rocky is so low. I guess we missed a very good day on the Rock Saturday from what we are hearing. Have been getting quite a few skippers lately but managed two decent fish late Sunday on the Rock." (photos courtesy of Bill Wahl).
Anthony caught a nice Wallace Lake largemouth bass on a green pumpkin color wacky rig Senko (photo courtesy of Anthony Lombardo).
Brian caught a plump Rocky River hen steelhead. He has had success using green woolly bugger and stonefly nymph fly patterns (photo courtesy of Brian Pavick).
On reported from E55th "Here's a synopsis of our morning at Lake Shore power plant on Saturday morning. Water was cloudy after north wind stirred things up over the previous few days. A few guys were fishing shiners under floats at the end of the straight wall and went 1 for 2 from what I saw. I was chucking a gold/orange 2/5oz Little Cleo and picked up a nice buck and a smaller hen. A silver/blue Cleo got no fish love that same morning" (photos courtesy of Owen Lockhart).
Buddies Pat, Dan, and Brian caught several steelhead fly fishing on the Rocky River on Saturday, with a few of them displayed above (photos courtesy of Pat Cramer).
Justin reports "When the waves weren't too much I've been trolling the Edgewater area for steelhead with 2/5 oz Little Cleos in all different colors in 20-30 feet of water. All fish caught and released and my dad caught his first ever." (photos courtesy of Justin Marconi).
Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders members were honored to take a group of US veterans on a steelhead outing on the Rocky River this week. Although catching fishing was only a small part of the overall experience, per group leader Monte Casey, there were three steelhead landed by veterans during the morning. Monte is spearheading a local chapter of the national group Healing Waters and you can learn more on the webpage he recently set-up here: <CLE Project Healing Waters>. Great job, gang! (photos courtesy of Monte Casey).
Ryan caught some fine steelies while visiting Cleveland this week (photo courtesy of Ryan Meadows).
Chris shared "Caught and released this magnificent 24" steelhead in the Rocky River 11-13-16. Caught it on a live emerald shiner" (photo courtesy of Chris Balser).
Chalk up another nocturnal steelhead trout for Dan (photo courtesy of Dan McCutcheon).
Lots of beautiful walleye were checked in at Erie Outfitters in Sheffield Lake this week for the ongoing Fall Brawl tournament (photos courtesy of Craig Lewis at Erie Outfitters).
Customers of the Linda Mae party boat out of wildwood Marina has been making some nice catches of big yellow perch and a few bonus species this week (photos courtesy of wildwood Marina).
A local angler was driving through the river valley by Big Met golf course and came across quite the spectacle of several bucks chasing each other around. View the video <here> (video courtesy of Al Katigbak).
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.