October 1, 2020

In early autumn highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include steelhead trout, smallmouth bass, carp, panfish, and channel catfish. Areas streams recieved a much needed bump in flow over the past day and are just clearing to fishable levels now.  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 walleye and the Ohio & Erie Canal will be stocked with rainbow trout and channel vcatfish next week.

The Rocky River and other area streams recieved a much needed bump in flow over the past day and are just dropping to fishable level and clarity.  This will draw some of the steelhead staging in the lower rivers (closer to Lake Erie) further upstream, and will entice additional fish to enter the lower river reaches.  Other good early fall spots are off the rocks at Edgewater and breakwall/rocks at E55th/E72nd areas.  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 sensitive float, at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with an early steelhead trout.  These lakefront areas are producing walleye after dark, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well.

Catches of white perch and yellow perch have been harder to come by this week at the E55th breakwall.  These fish bite well on bits of worms, waxworm or small minnow fished on the bottom on a crappie rig.  The bite has most dependable in the afternoon.  Bluegill (and other panfish), largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum northern pike and channel catfish can be found along the Cleveland shoreline in early fall and can be caught on offerings such as tube jigs, dropshot rigs and live bait. 

Anglers at our inland lakes and ponds are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish.  Wallace Lake, Ledge Lake, Shadow Lake, and Beyer's Pond are just a few other spots worth poking around in late summer and early fall.   Next week we plan to stock rainbow trout and channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street despite the annual Fall Family Fishing Fest being cancelled due to the pandemic.

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
 

The Diez family caught this good size freshwater drum, aka sheepshead, on the Rocky River this week (photo courtesy of John Diez).




Proud papa Dean beamed that his daughter caught her first fish on the fly rod this week- a largemouth bass (photos courtesy of Dean Sauer).






Bill was casting a Flicker Shad crankbait by the Rocky River Marina this week and caught the surprise of his life-  a pink salmon!  The males of this miniature salmon species (this one is a good size adult) have a bulged back hence their nickname of humpback salmon, or "humpie".  They are not stocked in Lake Erie but a few stray south from lakes Superior and Huron and are a rare catch in our parts (photos courtesy of Billy Szabo).



Mary Lou shared "My friend John Cole, caught a fresh from the lake Steelhead Sept 21, the last day of summer, while taking a few casts in the Rocky River with a Little Cleo spoon.  Looks like the start of a promising season." (photo courtesy of Mary Lou Czajka).



Femi caught this big channel catfish at E72nd while casting a crankbait for walleye (photo courtesy of Sean Johnson).



Dana shows off a quality walleye.  Walleye fishing near the CLE shoreline is picking up, especially in the E72nd/E55th area (photo courtesy of Dana Daugherty-Klonowski).



Juan shows off a quality steelhead caught at the Rocky River marina this week (photo courtesy of Dave "Bo" Bowser).




Christian shared on Saturday "Euclid Creek today. My brother with his first in a few years. He went 1 for 1, I went 2 for 3. Mine went 23 1/4. Got them on a Bass Pro Shop Thumper inline spinner in Firetiger color. Fished 7 to 9. Didn't see as many fish in there as last weekend." (photos courtesy of Christian Furlong).



Anglers fishing worms on the bottom at E55th have been catching channel catfish, white perch and a few yellow perch lately.



Mike reported "Caught this one on my fifth cast after launching the boat at Rocky River ramps Friday afternoon.  Green and white Little Cleo 2/5oz." (photo courtesy of Mike Bobincheck).





Brian reported from the Cuyahoga River this week "Fishing was real good last night! The bass were hitting. Caught about a dozen 6"-12". Also hooked up with 4 steelhead and landed 2! This is the most steelhead I have hooked into ever at my spot! One was a beast that I only had on for 5 seconds. Long enough to know it was the strongest fish I ever hooked into! Hooked it on a vibrating blade bait. Only fished for 2.5 hours. The future looks great from where I'm fishing" (photos courtesy of Brian Knapp).



Tudor struck silver fishing the lower Rocky from his kayak (photo courtesy of Tudor St Stephen).



We turned up this massive grass carp during a fall fish survey yesterday.



With steelhead season upon us please don't forget to social distance properly- especially in the more popular spots.





For the first time in just shy of 200 years, the Cuyahoga River runs free in Brecksville. The removal of the dam, constructed in 1827, now allows the crystal clear waters of Chippewa Creek to meet a flowing river instead of a stagnant dam pool.  Anglers can expect steelhead to be found throughout the watershed this season.