March 14, 2019

***Tuesday March 19 afternoon update:  This morning 600 pounds of rainbow trout were stocked in the East Branch Rocky River at six locations between Rt 82 (Royalton Road) and the ford (river crossing) just south of Wallace Lake.***

The Rocky River and other area streams are offering very good conditions and steelhead fishing opportunities this morning after being elevated earlier this week.  This scenario may not last into the weekend, though, if we recieve lots of rain.  Wise anglers will monitor the most recent river flows (and temperature) at the following links befotre planning a trip: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  NOTE: the NEORSD turbidity meter has been repaired and is back online.  Ice on local lakes is diappearing rapidly and are offering some open water fishing opportunities for trout.

The Rocky River and other area streams are offering very good conditions and steelhead fishing opportunities this morning after being elevated earlier this week.  This scenario may not last into the weekend, though, if we recieve lots of rain.  Anglers will need to check the flow gage trend before making a trip to the river.  Steelhead are well dispersed throughout the river systems, with the freshest fish being concentrated in the northern river reaches closer to Lake Erie.  Steelhead in late winter will bite a variety of offerings, including smaller dime 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).  In cold waterr a wobbling crankbait worked slowly through a deep hole can also produce well at times.  Steelhead numbers can be expected to peak into late March-April so the best fishing of the year is coming soon.

The north facing breakwall at E55th and the rocks at Edgewater Park offer a chance at steelhead and yellow perch.  The boat launch ramp at Edgewater is usable for smalll boats, but the ramp at gordon Park was still iced in as of yesterday.  As these harbor areas open up further anglers have a chance at pre-spawn northern pike are largemouth bass.  A white spinnerbait with silver blades worked slowly is a good early season choice for both species. Be very careful along ice covered shoreline rocks at places like Edgewater Park.

Remaining ice is melting rapidly and opportunities for catching trout are very good at our stocked inland lakes.  And if rain fouls up river conditions this weekend this will be a great alternative.  In early March Wallace Lake recieved an infusion of 1,100 lbs of trout.  These bonus fish were possible thanks to our park Fishing Fund doing well lately (see link to that following this report).  About 2/3 of the fish are rainbow trout averaging a little over a pound each, but especially exciting was that over 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.  See the photos below for some beautiful trout caught this week.  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.  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, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes, and 5/day no size limit at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal.

Trout typically bite well on PowerBait, jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms, and smaller spinners (such as Rooster Tail).  We tentatively plan to begin spring stocking of rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River at Millstream Run Reservation in Berea and Strongsville next week.  Stay tuned to the fishing report for updates on that.  The Ohio Division of Wildlife is scheduled to stock pan sized rainbow trout at Hinckley and Shadow lakes on March 29th.

6th Annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby Fundraiser on March 30.  On Saturday March 30th we will be hosting the sixth annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby on the Rocky River.  Trophies, prizes for three largest steelhead, raffles, and a cookout are all part of the day's festivities for this fun event where anglers must fish for steelhead with a kiddie fishing pole!  And new for 2019 we will be adding a children's division.  I didn't think we would be able to top last year in terms of the amazing prize packages, but lead organizer Mark Warren, local angler Greg Young, and the rest of the coordinating team have already rounded up prizes and <sponsors> for the event that exceed last year-  and they are still adding to them weekly!  Proceeds from the fundraiser event go to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund.  A <website> has been set up for the event, as well as a Facebook page.  Local angler Andy Wahl put together this outstanding <video> detailing a pastevent.  Don't miss this fun event for a great cause!

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

Well, I always say the brown trout we stock in winter always hit best as the ice melts, and Captain Rich proved this true again today,  He caught this brute brown on a Little Cleo spoon at Wallace Lake (photo courtesy of Captain Rich).




Aaron caught a colorful Wallace Lake brook trout this week (photos courtesy of Aaron Honaker.







John had a great day fishing Wallace Lake from his kayak.  He landed a colorful rainbow and golden rainbow trout and a 19.5" trophy brook trout.  He was using a jig tipped with maggots (photos courtesy of John Proch).






I stopped by Morley Ford on the Rocky River yesterday to check on conditions and I was greeted to this young man catching (and then releasing) his second biggest steelhead of the season.







Brian has been catching lots of trout on local Metroparks lakes, and he sent me the "highlight reel" of some of his more notable brook trout and golden rainbow trout recent catches (photos courtesy of Brian Kich).



When the larger streams are elevated and muddy, don't be hesitant to explore smaller unstocked creeks which cear up more rapidly.  This is especially true in spring.  Liz displays one of several fine steelhead caught in such a scenario on Tuesday afternoon this week.




Ed says he appreciated the extra hour of daylight and warmer temperature yesterday.  He caught this big Wallace Lake brook trout on a 1/4 oz gold Little Cleo spoon (photo courtesy of Ed Schmitt)






Wallace Lake is offering plenty of open water fishing opportunities right now.  Trout were hitting on PowerBait on the north end of the lake yesterday.



Mikale shows that a steelhead doesn't need to be a trophy to awe and inspire a youngster (photo courtesy of Mikale Mosack).



Bob caught a pretty golden rainbow trout at Wallace Lake this week (photo courtesy of Bob Hoboda).



If you catch a small rainbow trout like this one Brad caught in a small creek this week the odds are it was reproduced naturally.  The juvenile steelhead the state stocks will not be released until later this spring, and this fish is smaller than the 6-9" fish they release anyhow (photo courtesy of Brad Gardner).




Edgewater Park and the north facing breakwall at E55th were in nice shape for shore fishing yesterday.





An angler at Edgewater Park boat ramps (top) was breaking up a path in the remaining ice to access the lake yesterday.  Gordon Park boat ramps (middle), on the other hand, were still locked in with ice and the Rocky River boat ramps (bottom) were blocked by ice chunks and debris.  Most years the courtesy docks go back in around early April, depending on conditions.