April 4, 2019

The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are dropping into nice fishing conditions today, although rain forecasted into the weekend may change that.  Wise anglers will monitor the most recent river flows (and turbidity on the Rocky) at the following links before planning a trip: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  Rainbow trout were stocked this morning stocked in the east Branch Rocky River for the third consecutive week.

The Rocky River is dropping into very nice conditions for steelhead fishing after being elevated and muddy since Sunday.  There is rain in the forecast, though, so anglers should check the flow gage trend before making a trip to the river.  Anglers can expect a good number of frsh steelhead mixed in with fish that have been in the system awhile.  The freshest fish are typically concentrated in the northern river reaches closer to Lake Erie.  Steelhead spawning activity has picked up notably, especially in the East Branch of the river.  Steelhead in will bite a variety of offerings, including dime to nickel size spawn bags, 1/32-1/64 oz marabou jigs under floats (black, pink, and white are top colors), beads that mimic salmon eggs, and flies (egg patterns and baitfish streamers are top producers).  The peak of the steelhead run is upon us.  Some of the first lake-run smallmouth bass of the spring season turned up around the Rocky River marina on saturday, and there are plenty of lake-run white suckers around, too.

The breakwall at E55th and the rocks at Edgewater Park offer a chance at steelhead and yellow perch.  The boat launch ramps at Edgewater, Gordon Park, and Wildwood park are all usable at this time, and the courtesy docks were installed at Edgewater and Gordon park boat launches this week.  These harbor areas in spring are a good place to find pre-spawn northern pike are largemouth bass (see phoros from Gordon Park this week below).  A white spinnerbait with silver blades worked slowly is a good early season choice for both species. The post-spawn shoreline bite for walleye typically picks around Cleveland around mid April.  Beginning this boating season our public boat launch ramps at Rocky River, Edgewater, Gordon Park, and Wildwood will be charging a fee ($5 daily or season pass for $30 for Cuyahoga county residents and $35 for out of county residents) for trailered watercraft.  Please note that 100% of proceeds will go back into Lakefront improvements projects.

Opportunities for catching trout are good at our stocked inland lakes.  The Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked pan-sized rainbow trout at Hinckley and Shadow lakes this past Friday (March 29th).  In early March Wallace Lake recieved a boost of 1,100 pounds of trout.  About 2/3 of those fish are rainbow trout averaging a little over a pound each, but approximately 100 quality size and colorful brook trout were included, as well as a fair number of golden rainbow trout and a few trophy brown trout.  Throughout the winter a total of 7,100 lbs of rainbow trout were stocked between Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes.  Trout are also available at Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area down the hill from CanalWay Visitor Center off E49th Street.
 
This morning 600 pounds of rainbow trout were stocked in the East Branch Rocky River, bringing thr total up to 1,800 pounds since March 19.  The stocking zone is between Route 82 (Royalton Road) and the river crossing ford about a mile south of Wallace Lake.  We plan to skip next week then stock again the following week (date TBD).  We will continue stocking trout in the river up until the end of April. 

Trout typically bite well on PowerBait, small jigs (marabou, hair, or rubber) tipped with a few maggots/waxworms, and smaller spinners (such as Rooster Tail).  Please note the current seasonal trout regulations:  Lake Erie and all streams 2/day minimum size 12" (this includes steelhead), 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.

6th Annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby Fundraiser Recap.  On Saturday March 30 we were blessed with fishable conditions (despite a very wet forecast) for the 6th Annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby fundraiser.  the 140 contestantscame from all over Ohio, as well as from Michigan, Pennsylvania and Illinois and all had a good time and left with full bellies than you to our four great food <sponsors>.  And we raised a whopping $7,920 for the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund in the process!  And yes, steelhead were caught by some lucky competitors!  The contest and raffle winners are posed <here>.  A huge THANK YOU goes out to event organizers Mark Warren and Greg Young, as well as a crew of additional event volunteers.

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

Evan caught a steelhead on his first drift of his first trip of the year this week (photo courtesy of Kerry Rhodes).



John reported that his grandsons Levi and Elijah were visting for the weekend and the river was muddy so they chased bluegill on a local pond (photo courtesy of John Hall).







Ken shared "It was the first time that I took the girls out for steelies.  Anna Maria caught a sucker on a mini-tube and Elizabeth-not sure what she didn’t land, probably a sucker- I had a hookup and immediately passed the rod to her" (photos courtesy of Ken Stein).



Vanessa caught two rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River today (photo courtesy of Al Reinke).



Jarred caught a colorful buck steelhead by Cedar Point Road on the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Jarred Bugg).





Chuck was surprised to find some early lake-run smallmouth bass mixed in with the steelhead on the Rocky River this week (photos courtesy of Chuck Naujoks).



Josh fished Wallace Lake on Sunday and reported "Rivers were blown out for steelheading but it played off fishing in the snow for a short time. Caught 4 (kept 1) rainbow trout on my first dozen cast  twitching a pink/purple/black jig topped with maggots 3 feet under a bobber.  Largest one was 14 1/2 inches " (photo courtesy of Josh Brebant).




James reported "Couple steelhead from the Cuyahoga River.  Great fights, both released.  Nice to see them returning to the Cuyahoga more this year than ever" (photos courtesy of James Lilly).






Max got a cool shot of a jumping steelhead among his great photos this week.  He noted "Did really good before the rivers blew out then got a couple up in some creeks after they dropped down.  A lot of pretty fish and a couple spawners too" (photos courtesy of Max Madden). 




John caught some nice steelhead drifting a pink rubber worm (photos courtesy of John-Paul Duff).




Liz caught a trophy steelhead AND a "trophy" sucker this week after work.








The 6th annual barbie Road Steelhead Derby was another success on Saturday.  We had 140 contestants, had a fun tim, ate great food, and raised $7,920 for the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund in the process.  Contest and raffle winners are posed <here>.



David scored a big white sucker during the Barbie rod Steelhead Derby (photo courtesy of David Wagner).







On Tuesday afternoon a Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District colleagues and I surveyed Gordon Park harbor using electrofishing hoping to document pre-spawn muskie presence as part of a proposed project.  Although we did not turn up any muskie during this effort, we did get lots of other fish, including lots of decent size 2-4 pound largemouth bass, as well as a few steelhead and northern pike.
 


Kudos to Joe for picking up a bag of trash on his walk back to his car after fishing the Chagrin River.  We should all strive to follow his lead.  Thank you, Joe! (photo courtesy of Joe Miller).



This species often leaves anglers scratching their heads trying to identify.  Do you know what it is?  Answer: logperch darter, and this is full grown (photo courtesy of Tom Riley).



On Sunday Mariah and Corey Butram hosted a well organized kid's fishing derby at a church in Parma that I assisted with.  Unfortunately, the return of winter weather put the kabosh on the fish biting.  At least they had a sense of humor about it though!