March 25, 2021

The Rocky River and other area streams have been low and clear all week, but rain into the weekend could bring the levels up and entice in more fresh steelhead.  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>.  The East Branch Rocky River in Strongsville was stocked with 1,200 lbs of rainbow trout on last week (details below).
 
The Rocky, Chagrin and other area streams have all been producing good catches of steelhead this week despite the low and clear water.  But rain into the weekend could raise the water level and entice some fresh run fish into the streams.  Fresh run steelhead are still coming in, but quite a few fish have been spawning in the shallow, gravelly riffles and a fair number of post-spawn, or "spent", fish are around.  Steelhead are well distributed throughout our area watersheds, although greater concentrations of fresher fish are available closer to the lake.  Dime to nickel size spawn sacks, small marabou jigs (1/32 and 1/64 ounce are most popular) tipped with maggots, live or salted minnows, 3" rubber worms (pink and white have been good) and salmon egg mimmicking beads and soft rubber eggs drifted near the river bottom under a float will take a greater share of the fish. Fly anglers do well in spring with a variety of egg, nymph and baitfish patterns.  The spring run of white suckers is also gaining steam and the first few lake-run smallmouth bass are starting to trickle in.

Many of out lakes and ponds are offering stocked trout..  This winter a total of 6,000 lbs of trout were stocked between Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes (Wallace recieved almost half of the total fish) and plenty of these trout remain.  The majority of the fish were 1-1.5 lb rainbow trout, but a good  number of brook, brown, golden rainbow and trophy rainbow trout were in the mix.  Note: the daily limit at Wallace, Ledge, Ranger and Judge's lakes is 3 trout/angler and the limit at Shadow Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal is 5 trout/angler.  Trout often bite well on small to medium size spinners/spoons/crankbaits, a small marabou or tube jig tipped with a waxworm or a few maggots, canned corn kernals fished on the lake bottom or a dime size ball of colorful PowerBait. 

The first spring stocking of the East Branch Rocky River kicked off on Monday March 15 with 1,200 lbs of mostly 14-16" rainbow trout.  The stocking zone is largely in Strongsville and extend from Royalton Road (Rt. 82) heading north to across the parkway from Wallace Lake.  Note: traditional stocking spot at Bonnie Park WILL NOT be stocked this year.  Vegetation and ground at the site is still stabilizing from a large restoration project to remove a dam and interconnect a wetland complex to the floodplain.  The area will be stocked again mid-next week.  Stocked trout in the river bite the same types of offerings mentioned in the paragraph above.

By the weekend docks will be installed at Edgewater and E72nd boat ramps, and a dock is already installed at Emerald Necklace Marina boat launch on the Rocky River.   In spring, sunfish, largemouth bass and northern pike can be found prowling the Lake erie shoreline harbors and marinas.  On the lake side, anglers at Lakefront parks can look for steelhead and pre-spawn yellow perch. 

Rocky River Watershed Council Fundraiser T-shirts.  Want to show your local colors and support an organization that helps protect and preserve the Rocky River.  Then check out the RRWC cool new t-shirt design and please consider purchasing one and showing your support.  More here: <RRWC Fundraiser T-shirt>

Cleveland Metroparks Annual Boat Launch Passes are Now Available.    2021 season Cleveland Metroparks Boat Launch Pass can be puchased online at this time at the following link:  <2021 Boat Launch Pass>.  The base price (there are certain discounts) is $30.  Note: this applies only to motorized watercraft that are trailered.

Photo Release Waivers for Fishing Blog Photos (fast and easy to complete online).  Photo release waivers can easily be completed online through Smart Waiver (takes only about 30 seconds to complete) at the following link: <Smart Waiver link>. 

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
 

Brian shared "Vinny was super excited to catch his first trout of the season on Tuesday! 

John shared "Karyn’s first fishing experience. Caught 2 at the covered bridge! We love what you do! Thanks!" (photo courtesy of John Gabella).




Steve caught a beautiful brook trout- a species on his "bucket list"- at Shadow lake this week (photos courtesy of Steve Farley).



On Saturday Mark caught this trophy rainbow trout measuring 21 inches and weighing 3.5 lbs at the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area (photo courtesy of Mark Cwalina).



Mike caught this bruiser buck steelhead in the Rocky River on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Mike Sekerak).




Pete caught a rare surprise in the Rocky River on Tuesday- a chrome bright stray brown trout (photos courtesy of Pete Sekerak).







Father and son Brian and Zach had a great week pursuing rainbow trout on the East Branch Rocky River and Metroparks ponds this week.  these are just a sampling of the many they caught (photos courtesy of Brian Zaptocky).






Paul made his annual trip to the Rocky River from West Virginia this week (which he says is his favorite trip of the year) and found success despite low water conditions.  His buddies Joe and Kevin also "struck silver" (photos courtesy of Paul Goodman). 




Adrian caught some nice steelhead in the Rocky River on Saturday when the water was stained (photos courtesy of Adrian Zachary).



Fred landed this dandy colorful steelhead on the East Branch Rocky River.  With today's weather it's hard to believe we were dressing as warm in this pic within the past week!  (photo courtesy of Fred Meister).




John scored the "silver and bronze" on the Rocky earlier this week.  You know it's spring when you get a mixed catch of steelhead and smallmouth bass in the same holes in the river.  and the lake-run smallmouth run will only get better in the coming weeks (photos courtesy of John Burkhart).



Sean has been catching some fine steelhead in the Chagrin River (photos courtesy of sean Johnson).