May 3, 2018

In late spring, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include steelhead trout, stocked rainbow trout, walleye, panfish, and smallmouth and largemouth bass.  We have quite a bit of rain in the forecast so wise anglers will keep an eye on the weather and flow data before heading out.  Anglers can check the most recent river water level, temperature, and clarity (turbidity) at the following links: <Rocky River USGS flow gage data> <Chagrin River USGS flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. (Note: the Rocky River flow gage is temprarily down).  We did not stock trout this week but last Monday we stocked 600 pounds of rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River in Millstream Run Reservation and trout from past stockings remain at Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge's, Hinckley, and Ranger lakes.  The Lake Erie marina and harbor areas also offer walleye, steelhead trout, northern pike, panfish, and largemouth and smallmoth bass in spring.

The Rocky and Chagrin rivers have been running clear this week with moderate flow, but quite a bit of rain is in the forecast leading into the weekend that could change that scenario.  The tide is turning with the steelhead run, and athough quite a few fish are around the majority are post-spawn (dropback) fish.  The Main and East branches of the Rocky River and Chagrin River up to South Chagrin Reservation were all producing fish this week.  A good flush of water following the next hard rain will send quite a few of these dropback steelies back to Lake Erie.  The remaing spawning steelhead can be found in shallower riffle and tailout areas, while pre and post spawn fish can be found in holes and runs, especially just downstream of spawning fish.  Fly fishers, bait anglers, and hardware chuckers have all been taking a share of the fish.  Please keep in mind that warming river temperatures are stressful on trout, and playing and releasing fish as quickly as possible is a reasponsible plan.  Some steelhead are around until mid-May in a typical year. 

Complementing the remaining steelhead (anmd stealing the spotlight) are great numbers of lake-run smallmouth bass.  These fish are present in deeper, rocky holes throughout the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers.  Anglers fishing a jig, wooly bugger, live shiner, or other lures/flies that mimic a baitfish have a shot at hooking the "silver and bronze" (a smallmouth or steelhead) in the same day for the next few weeks.  Note:  smallmouth/largemouth bass may not be kept in Lake Erie or the Rocky River north of the Detroit Road bridge, Chagrin River north of the SR 283 bridge, or Cuyahoga River north of the Harvard Avenue bridge  between May 1 and June 29.

Cleveland shoreline breakwalls are offering a hot post-spawn night bite for walleye right now.  Perfect 10s, Husky Jerks, and glow swimbaits are a few of the offerings that produce. Additionally, marinas and harbors on Lake Erie in spring also offer anglers a shot at catching smallmouth/largemouth bass (see prohibited possesion regs above), northern pike, steelhead, and panfish.  Productive spots include Edgewater, Wildwood, and East 72nd/Gordon Park boat ramp areas.  For almost any of these species a medium size silvery spoon or spinner is a good all-around choice.

We did not stock this week supplier had technical difficulties with equipment), but last Monday we stocked 600 pounds of rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River.  Hopefully next week we can stock the final 600 pounds of trout of the spring to add to the 3,000 pounds stocked since mid March in between Route 82 (Royalton Road) and the river crossing ford about a mile south of Wallace Lake.  Of the six spots we routinely stock, Bonnie Park (on both the upstream and downstream side of the dam) recieves the lion's share of these fish.

Our inland lakes are offering very good fishing opportunities at this time.  Maintenance at Wallace Lake is complete and the lake wis being brought back to normal level.  In late March 291 coho salmon were stocked in Wallace Lake as a bonus spring fishery and plenty of those fish are left.  Stockings like this are made possible by proceeds from the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund.  On March 29th the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked 816 rainbow trout at Shadow Lake and 2,759 rainbow trout at Hinckley Lake (these fish avarage about 3/4 lbs each).  

Trout and coho salmon typically bite well on PowerBait, jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms, and smaller spinners (such as Rooster Tail).  Please note the current seasonal trout/salmon regulations:  Lake Erie and all streams 2/day minimum size 12" (this includes steelhead-  but changes to 5/day starting on May 16), 3/day no size limit at Wallace, Judge's and Ranger lakes, and 5/day no size limit at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal.  Please note:  Ledge Lake is posted as catch and release fishing only until further notice.

Spring Childrens Fishing Derbies Are Coming on May 19 & 20.  Our popular annual kids fishing derbies are coming up on Saturday May 19 at the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area and Sunday May 20 at Wallace Lake. The event is free, fish will be stocked for the event, and fishing gear and bait will be provided for those in need at no cost. For more information, you can check the following link: <May 19 Fishing Derby Info>  <May 20 Fishing Derby Info>.

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
 

It's hard to believe we were stillwearing coats and winter hats earlier this week!  Jason shared on Saturday "My son Tobias and I caught a steelhead today. It was 25" long, and it was our first ever steelhead, caught on a jig in Rocky River. I'd love if you could put our picture on the website. Thank you!" (photo courtesy of Jason Lutz).





Cole and his dad both caught their first steelhead ever while fly fishing the Rocky River this week (photos courtesy of Adrian Zachary).






John shared his two sons' first steelhead, as well as a few of his own (photos courtesy of John Lusnek).




Steve shared that Vincent (top) and his son both caught their first trout this week in the East Branch Rocky River (photos courtesy of Steve Kerr).










Brad had a great week.  First he got his fiance Aleinna into her first two steelhead in the Rocky River, then he caught walleye on his first two efforts trying at Edgewater and caught fish both days-  capped by a 30.5" beast! (photos courtesy of Brad Gardner).



Dilan caught this 33" beast buck steelhead using a spinner in the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Dilan Ekmark).




John and a buddy caught some monster smallmouth bass at the Rocky River boat ramps this week (photos courtesy of John Schultz).




Jon reported from E72nd on Friday "Caught these off the Lake Erie shoreline breakwall. They were slamming anything shiny! The 2 best I caught are pictured. Caught 1 pike 6 smallmouth in about 4 hours! " (photos courtesy of Jon Nelson).




Graham (top) landed 7 steelhead in the Rocky on a recent outing, and his buddy JJ caught his first 3 steelhead ever in the Cuyahoga River (photos courtesy of Graham Montague).



Igor caught a 5 pound largemouth bass this week (photo courtesy of Igor Gee).






John caught some fine smallmouth bass and steelhead intermixed in the holes on the Rocky this week.  John is manager at Burntwood Tavern in Rocky River and is a supporter of our fisheries program-  make sure to ask for John and thank him if you visit! (photos courtesy of John Burkhart).



Lidsay strikes again this week with another nice steelhead from the Rock (photo courtesy of Monte Casey).



Bill lives in Washington state but visits family here routinely and shared "Hi Mike.  I always enjoy fishing the Rocky River when visiting Cleveland.  The Metropark is quite a special place.  The steelhead are 'world class'.  Somebody is doing something right.  Thanks." (photo courtesy of Bill Good).
 





Troy and his buddies had a great week of smallmouth bass fishing in the Rocky River, as well as landing his biggest steelhead (photos courtesy of Troy White).



Matt caught this steelhead in Euclid Creek (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).




Max relayed "Had a great 2 days of fly fishing.  On Sunday at the Rocky I caught 5 and lost 3 on a streamer I made.  I skipped school Tuesday and went to the Chagrin and caught 7 and lost 5 on a pink egg and a flashy bright green streamer.  All were caught with no indictor just tight line drifting" (photos courtesy of Max Madden).



Here is one steelie of a bunch Tim caught this week (photo courtesy of Tim Daley).



Pat reported "Attached are probably the last two catch and release steelheads for my 2017 / 2018 season at the Rock.  Please allow me to wish all of my friends that I fishb with down at RockCliff a great summer and, I look forward to seeing everyone again in the fall.  Thanks again Mike for a great job." (photo courtesy of Pat Cramer).







Last Friday we did a fish collection/stream ecology outing with a West Geauga HS biology class by the Rocky River Nature Center and among our catch turned up some nice smallmouth bass and mostly spawned out steelhead.





On Tuesday we transferred some nice sportfish from a lake being drained to Wallace Lake.  Wallace is being refilled following maintenance activities at the lake the past few weeks.



ODNR Division of Wildlife has a new canine unit to assist with fishing and wildlife law enforcement.  Among other things the dogs can sniff out hidden fish in a boat.