May 14, 2020

In late-spring smallmouth bass, stocked trout and walleye are among the highlight species that anglers pursue.  We have rain in the forecast leading into the weekend so wise anglers will check river conditions at the following links before heading to the streams: <Rocky River flow gauge data><Chagrin River flow gauge data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.

Area streams are in good shape today but we have quite a bit of rain in the forecast leading into the weekend so wise anglers will monitor flow gauge and weather information prior to heading out.  Catches of lake-run smallmouth bass have been good in the Rocky and Chagrin numbers.  Smallmouth bass hit well on a 3-4" dark olive or brown tube jig, ned rigs, lures that imitate minnows (like a white and silver Rooster Tail spinner, Rapala or white rubber fluke) and live bait (minnows and crayfish).  A modest number of straggler steelhead remain in local streams, as well.

In late April 800 lbs of trout (originally scheduled for the now cancelled spring childrens fishing derbies) were stocked in Wallace Lake and the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked 1,500 trout in the Ohio & Erie Canal.  A total of 4,400 lbs of trout have been released since March 17 between the East Branch Rocky River and Wallace, Ledge and Ranger lakes and the Ohio Division of Wildlife recently stocked Hinckley and Shadow lakes, as well.  Stocked trout bite on brightly colored PowerBait shaped into dime size balls, 3" rubber trout worms (pink, orange and white), small jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm and small to medium size spinners.  NOTE: the limits on these trout at 3/day at Wallace, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes and 5/day at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area (there is no size limit, unlike the river where trout need to be minimum length of 12" and you can harvest 2/day until May 16th at which time the river limit increases to 5/day).  We plan to stock 1,400 lbs of farm raised channel catfish in Wallace Lake and at the ohio & Erie Canal tomorrow, as well.

The breakwall at E55th, pier at Wendy Park (old Coast Guard station) and rocks/pier at Edgewater Park and E72nd offer a chance at walleye, bass (largemouth and smallmouth), steelhead and a variety of other species in early spring.  Walleye have been hitting well after dark at E55th breakwall this week.  The boat launch ramps at Emerald Necklace (Rocky River), Edgewater, Gordon Park, and Wildwood park are all usable at this time, with courtesy docks having been installed at all locations.  In spring, these harbor areas are good locations to find pre-spawn northern pike and largemouth bass, as well as a variety of panfish species.  A white spinnerbait with silver blades worked slowly is a good early season choice for both bass and pike. The post-spawn shoreline bite for walleye in Cleveland typically picks up around now. 

Josh Cribbs "Football" (Smallmouth Bass) Challenge.   Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Fishing Co. have teamed up to offer a contest and see who can catch the biggest "football" (slang for a fat Lake Erie-run smallmouth bass) this season!  Winner gets a hat, sun hoodie, t-shirt, and MYSTERY Josh Cribbs item to be unveiled at a later date. Think you got what it takes? Follow the rules below for a valid photo submission of your catch:

1. Photo of the biggest smallmouth caught in OHIO between May 4th and 31st this season wins the prize pack. Judges Josh Cribbs, Aquatic biologist Michael Durkalec, and PJ Filipowicz from TheRockyRiver.com on hand to help determine the winner
2. Photos can be submitted by tagging both Cleveland Fishing Co. and @joshcribbs16 in your post, direct messaging Cleveland Fishing Co. or emailing [email protected] and please use #JoshCribbsFootballChallenge to help promote the event.
3. In order to prove it’s a recent catch ONE of the following indicators must be present in the photo: 1) Orange Challenge Lanyard (available on our store) 2) Cleveland Fishing Co. gear 3) None of the above? Stick your tongue out!
4. All submissions will be entered into a random drawing. Note: We can’t see your submissions if your account is private!
5. Have fun and tag your fishing buddies!

Boat Launch Pay Kiosks Are Installed.  Launch ramp pay kiosks have been re-installed for the boating season at Emerald Necklace (Rocky River), Edgewater, Gordon Park (E72nd St) and Wildwpood Park boat launches.  Boaters can pay daily onsite with a credit card or order an annual pass at the following <link> (Note: allow 2-4 weeks for delivery but printed confirmation at time of purchase can serve as interim launch pass until recieved).  Applies to all powered, trailered watercraft (kayaks and other hand powered watercraft are exempt from launch fees).

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

Alejandro caught this gorgeous Rocky River smallmouth bass on a ned rig (photo courtesy of Alejandro Velazquez).



Austin shared yesterday "I caught this Steelhead on a swim bait in the Euclid Creek. I was fishing for mmallmouth. An awesome and unexpected catch! This is my first Steelhead I've ever caught as I'm new to the Cleveland fishing scene." (photo courtesy of Austin Lumpkin).



Bill shared "I finally got a picture worth sharing. I was trying for some Steelhead this evening, but came up with this nice Smallie instead! Caught it over at Morley Ford on a pearl colored tube jig. Hope you have room for it in the next report. Thanks for all you do!" (photo courtesy of Bill Simsalek).



Randy took his daughter MacKenzie fishing and they caught this redhorse sucker (photo courtesy of Randy Smith).



Walleye are biting off Cleveland this week (photo courtesy of Cleveland Fishing Co.).





Jake and his father Brad caught some fine Rocky River smallmouth bass on ned rigs and tube jigs this week (photos courtesy of Jake Martinez).



Barnabas was targeting smallmouth bass in the Rocky River and caught a happy surprise on an all black 1/16 oz marabou jig (photo courtesy of Barnabas Bakai).



Naveen shows off a Cuyahoga River smallmouth bass (photo courtesy of Naveen Gopal).




In Wallace Lake news this week Mark caught a bunch of bluegill using small jigs tipped with maggots and Eric caught a limit of trout Sunday (photos courtesy of Carl Schweisthal).




Greg landed a few chunky smallouth in the Rock (photos courtesy of Greg Palka).



Steelhead in warmer water are more likely to chase a moving offering, such as a swung fly (photo courtesy of Chris Thompson).



Connor shared "Here’s a nice lake run smallmouth I hooked into last Friday downstream from Rockcliff Spring. He hit an emerald shiner colored grub on a 1/16th oz jig head retrieved as slowly as possible. This fish was like a football." (photo courtesy of Connor Patton).



Val shows off a chunky largemouth bass sampled during carp removal this week.  Hinckley Lake and Lake erie harbors are good places to target largemouth bass in Cleveland Metroparks.





Zak has been killing the trophy smallies in the Rocky River this week (photos courtesy of Zak Kmiec).






Ross had another great week pursuing lake-run smallmouth bass (photos courtesy of Ross Bailey).





The Chagrin River has also been producing great catches of smallmouth bass this week (photos courtesy of Richard Foreman).