November 5, 2020

In autumn the steelhead trout are the highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams. The Rocky River is in great shape this morning and has been producing plenty of steelehad this week  Given the relatively dry forecast the river should be getting low and clear into the weekend.  To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  Lake Erie anglers are primarily targeting steelhead and walleye along the shoreline and the Wallace Lake was stocked with trout last week.

The Rocky River and other area streams are offering great fishing conditions this morning and have been producing good numbers of steelhead the past few days.  The relatively dry forecast means conditions into the weekend will be getting low and clear.  There have been lots of emerald shiners and small gizzard shad in the marina area and some steelhead are being caught there despite the abundance of natural forage.  There have been plenty of reports of steelhead all the way up to the split into the East and West branches of the river this week, so good numbers of fish are now distributed throughout the entire Main Branch of the Rocky River.  As the water clears into the weekend downsizing to smaller dime size spawn bags, small (1/32-1/64 oz) jigs tipped with maggots or live minnows under a float will gain the edge.  Fallen leaves in the water are still posing a challenge to getting clean drifts, especially in the slower pool areas. Anglers can look forward to the best fall steelhead fishing in our streams yet to come.

The Cleveland Lakefront steelhead bite has been good this week with productive spots including off the rocks at Edgewater and breakwall/rocks at E55th/E72nd areas, as well as the pier at Wildwood Park.  Wendy Park at the old Coast Guard station pier is clearing up after being muddy from rain last week, and is another good option.  Casting a spoon (ie 2/5 oz Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie 1/8 oz Vibrax or RoosterTail), or drifting a 1/32 or 1/64 oz marabou jig tipped with a waxworm or a few maggots under a float at these locations are a good bet for connecting with a steelhead trout.  These lakefront areas are producing good catches of walleye after dark, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well.  For the convenience of anglers a commercial grade fish cleaning station was recenytly installed at lakefront and opened to the public.  More on that <here>.

A pleasant fall surprise the past two weeks has been the good numbers of jumbo yellow perch (many between 12-14 inches) being caught along the Cleveland shoreline.  Boating anglers are targeting around the east end of the city breakwall and Cuyahoga River lighthouse in about 36 foot of water using emerald shiners on crappie rigs or spreaders on the bottom.  Anglers are even making some good catches, at times, from shore at the E55th north facing breakwall.  It's been a few years since we've seen such good numbers of this culinary favorite of local anglers off Cleveland- so get out and enjoy the good fortune while it lasts! 

Last week we released 500 lbs out mixed trout at Wallace Lake (these fish were delayed from stockings in May due to COVID).  Most of the fish were rainbow trout averaging a pound, but quite a few trophy rainbows, brook, brown and golden rainbow trout were in the bunch (see photos below).  In addition, in early October we stocked 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout and 600 lbs of channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street.  Note: the daily limit at Wallace Lake is 3 trout/angler and the limit at the canal is 5 trout/angler.  The trout bite well on a hook filled with kernals canned corn, colorful dime size balls of power Bait dough, and smaller spinners.  If you are interested in catching either species you can try a nightcrawler worm or piece of shrimp fished on the canal bottom.

Bonnie Park Restoration Project on the East Branch Rocky River.  Check out this <video> for an update on the Bonnie Park Restoration Project as narrated by Cleveland Metroparks Director of Natural Resources Jennifer Grieser.  The project not only involved the removal of a dam that was acting as a fish migration barrier, but also included many acres of wetland habitat that serves not only as wildlife habitat but also as a buffer to mediate stormwater impacts in the area.  The project was a collaboration between Cleveland Metroparks, Ohio EPA, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, Rocky River Watershed Council and Akron Waterways Renewed (City of Akron was the WRRSP grant sponsor).

Photo Release Waivers are now Required for Fishing Blog Photos (and are fast and easy to complete online).  Photo release waivers are now required for any fishing blog photos where individuals are identifiable.  The good news is it only has to be done one time per person (and then it's good for any subsequent photos) and there's a super easy and secure online form to do it through Smart Waiver that takes only about 30 seconds to complete.  So please use this link to complete the waiver if you send in any images for there report: <Smart Waiver link>.  Sorry for the slight inconvenience and THANK YOU for all who have contributed in the past to make this report a fun and personal offering!

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

 

Proud dad Joe and his daughter Aubrey made some great memories on the Rocky River on Tuesday.  It was a team effort-  he hooked them and she reeled them in and they caught 10 steelhead total (photos courtesy of Joe Ward).



This 27" hen steelhead was the largest Brandon caught fishing the Rocky with his dad John last week.  They caught a dozen total drifting spawn sacks (photo courtesy of John Burkhart).



Ray caught this gorgeous rainbow trout at Wallace Lake (photo courtesy of Ray Porter).



Marcus caught a dozen keeper size yellow perch fishing from shore at E72nd.  He released several smaller ones too.  He noted the bite picked up very good at dusk and quit after it got dark (photo courtesy of Marcus Phillips).




Billy landed a colorful brook trout at Wallace Lake, which was just stocked last week.  He was using a spoon (photo courtesy of Billy Szabo).



Tony landed 3 steelies on the Rocky River on Tuesday, with this colorful buck being the largest.  These were his first steelhead of the season after putting in 3 weeks of effort.  Well done, Tony! (photo courtesy of Tony Cilluffo).



Dave landed this chrome steelhead fishing from the rocks at Edgewater Park (photo courtesy of Dave Lake).



Carl shared regarding the perch fishing Saturday "We got two that went 13 inches today near Lighthouse. Seven perch in and hour then quit. Also tried end of breakwall near E 72. Lots of good perch marks.  12 other boats perching in that area, fish not cooperating at that point.  Fun day!  Thought we’re going to fill the cooler then over. We also saw a guy perching at the mouth and he netted a huge walleye he hooked." (photo courtesy of Carl Blaser).



Wes joked regarding this bruiser of a sheepshead he caught at Edgewater Park on Saturday "Joined the 30/10 club... jk."  Hey, he gets a 10/10 for CLE city pride for wearing both Browns AND Indians garb! (photo courtesy of Wes Bombik).



Charter Captain Mike Mochan (Strikemaster Charters) landed this chunky steelhead off E72nd this week, one of several they caught (photo courtesy of Mike Mochan).



Randy scored a beautiful Wallace Lake brook trout on a spoon (photo courtesy of Randy Smith).



Charter Captain Mike Daugherty (Reely Livin Sportfishing LLC) caught this fine walleye this week (photo courtesy of Dana Daugherty-Klonowski).



Sean was casting the CLE shoreline for steelhead when he caught a bonus smallmouth bass (photo courtesy of Sean Johnson).



Tony shared "Got these two nice rainbows this Tuesday at the Ohio Erie Canal on 1/8oz. Black Rooster Tail spinner" (photo courtesy of Tony Modic).
 


Tim scored a very clean steelhead in the Rocky on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Tim Daley).



Frank landed this slab of a rainbow trout at Wallace Lake (photo courtesy of Frank Cruz).





Ross has been landing some beautiful steelies in "The Rock" this fall (photo courtesy of Ross Bailey).




Ted reported the Rocky River steelhead were hitting both spoons and jigs tipped with maggots this week (photos courtesy of Ted Choukalas).



Mike caught this brute steelhead along the Cleveland shoreline (photo courtesy of Mike Kostur).



This photo sums up what you can depend on in our steams in November-  steelhead and leaves! (photo courtesy of JP Webb).



This fresh hen steelhead was caught at the Rocky River boat ramps on Tuesday morning (photo courtesy of Bill Mantle).



Ephraim shows off a thick steelhead caught at Morley Ford on the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Ephraim Bowser).





Anglers are catching steelhead and walleye along the CLE shoreline this week (photos courtesy of Tyler Converse).




Fred scored a dandy pair of steelhead quite a few miles up the Rocky River on Tuesday.  He was drifting a Watermelon Pearl Guld Minnow (photos courtesy of Fred Mieser).




Cleveland Metroparks was awarded the Innovation in Lake Management award by the non-profit Ohio Lake Management Society.  Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman and I proudly accepted the award (a beautiful art glass waterdrop) at Garfield Park Reservation.