May 13, 2021

The Rocky River and other area streams are offering good fishing conditions today after being elevated and muddy much of the past week, and this is expected to last through the weekend given the weather forecast.  Anglers can monitor the most recent river water level, turbidity and temperature at the following links: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  Wallace Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal were stocked with trout and farm raised catish last week (details below).

The Rocky River and other area streams are offering good fishing conditions today, and weekend prospects continue to look good given the extended weather forecast.  The steelhead run has ramped down rapidly with the warmer temperatures and most remaining  post-spawn fish likely returned to Lake Erie during the high flows this past week. On the other hand, lake-run smallmouth bass fishing is going strong. Smallmouth bass anglers do well on 3-4" olive tube jigs, small marabou jigs and live baits such as leeches or crayfish.

Many of our lakes and ponds are offering stocked trout and farm raised catfish.  Last Thursday we stocked 800 lbs of trout and 700 lbs of farm raised catfish at Wallace Lake and 500 lbs of trout and 700 lbs of catfish at Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street.  Here is a link to a video about the stocking, as well as covering tips for catching these fish: <stocking video>.  Additionally, this spring we stocked a total of 3,600 lbs of rainbow trout in the east Branch Rocky River in Strongsville and the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked trout at Shadow Lake, Hinckley Lake and Ohio & Erie canal off E49th.  Note: the daily limit at Wallace, Ledge, Ranger and Judge's lakes is 3 trout/angler, the limit at Shadow Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal is 5 trout/angler and the limit in the Rocky river is 2 trout/angler (the latter with a minimum size of 12")..  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 walleye bite at Edgewater Park and E72nd Street access has been hot this week for anglers trolling Bandits and similar crankbaits and casting stickbaits like P-10s and Husky Jerks from the shoreline (the latter option after dark).   In spring, sunfish, largemouth bass and northern pike can be found prowling the Lake Erie shoreline harbors and marinas.  The launch ramp kiosks have been installed at all Lake Erie access locations in Cleveland Metroparks and either a daily pass (purchased with credit card at kiosk) or annual pass (see how to obtain one below) are required.

Thank You to Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders!  The Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders club acquired Ohio Division of Wildlife grants, as well as contributing directly, to make a donation totalling $2,163 to the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund to support trout and catfish stocking this spring for family and children oriented fishing.  Learn more about this great group that gives back to local fishing and fisheries efforts on their <website> or look them up on Facebook.

Cleveland Metroparks Virtual Children’s Fishing Derby May 7-16, 2021.  To encourage children and families to enjoy a day of fishing in Cleveland Metroparks this spring, Cleveland Metroparks is hosting a Virtual Children’s Fishing Derby.  The derby is open to children ages 15 years and younger. To enter, your child must go fishing with their family anywhere in Cleveland Metroparks between May 7th and May 16th.   Wallace Lake in Berea and Ohio and Erie Canal Fishing Area will be stocked with rainbow trout and channel catfish just prior to the start of the virtual derby. Additionally, many other ponds, lakes or streams in Cleveland Metroparks offer great opportunities for an enjoyable family fishing outing.

To enter: No purchase necessary to enter.  Take a photo from your outing and email it to us between 6 a.m. on May 7th and 11:59 p.m. on May 16th.  Only a child’s parent or legal guardian may email the picture of their child. This may be a picture of a child with a fish, your child fishing, or just a nice photo from your family outing.  You will need to digitally sign a photo release on behalf of yourself and your child. Your photo may be posted on the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Report the week following the virtual derby. All children, whether they catch a fish or not, will be entered in a drawing for a Cleveland Metroparks gift card provided you have submitted a photograph. (Cleveland Metroparks employees, board members and/or their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.) You may send as many photos as you like, but each child will be entered only once for the drawing.  By entering any sweepstakes, you (on behalf of your child) agree to waive any and all claims against Cleveland Metroparks for personal injury, damage or loss of any kind which may result from participation in the Fishing Derby or from the receipt, enjoyment, ownership or use of any prize.  If your child is a winner, we will contact you by email to get your mailing address.  Email entries to: [email protected]. Please provide the name of who to contact and the first name of each child. To sign the photo release follow the link: <Smart Waiver photo release>. It is quick and easy!  Note: People ages 16 years and older require a valid Ohio Fishing License to fish in Cleveland Metroparks waters.  More info <here>.

The Trout Club of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Presents Fly Fair 2021.  When: Saturday, May 15, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.  Where: Lake Metroparks Helen Hazen Wyman Park Pavilion.  What:  This fund-raising event aids the Trout Club’s efforts in supporting a variety of fishery-focused conservation programs in NE Ohio. An extensive selection of donated pre-owned, new and gently-used fly fishing focused items including rods, reels, flies, fly-tying tools and materials, fly lines, leaders and tippet, vests and packs, artwork, and an assortment of outdoor clothing items will be on sale.  Several larger items available include a 17’ Grumman square stern canoe (used) and Big Sky Rod Holder (new).  In addition, there will be several raffles for local guided fishing and other activities.

 

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

 

Bothers Bronson and Brody caught some nice trout this week (photos courtesy of John Sloatman).




Loria shared "14-year-old Andrew caught this 24 inch steelhead trout hen on 5/8/2021" (photos courtesy of Loria Scheering).



Sean caught and released this bruiser smallmouth bass along the Cleveland shoreline on a Megabass jerkbait (photo courtesy of Sean Johnson).




Wes shared "Was shocked to landed a 26 inch walleye on a Rooster Tail. Thank you to the man from Texas who helped me land it. Released." (photos courtesy of Wes Bombik).



Dana had a huge surprise when trolling for walleye in close to share this week- a beautifully marked muskie! (photo courtesy of Dana Daugherty-Klonowski).




Mark caught this 20" rainbow trout Monday (along wirth several smaller trout) at the Ohio & Erie Canal (photos courtesy of Mark Cwalina).




My brother Mark caught a beautiful walleye, as well as a "bonus" fish, casting deep diving crainbaits from shore at Edgewater Park (photos courtesy of Mark Durkalec).



Royce landed a fine Wallace Lake channel catfish this week (photo courtesy of Royce Honaker).



Victor got a big surpise when he reeling in this bruiser channel catfish at Wallace Lake this week (photo courtesy of John Hall).



Steve caught a trophy 17" crappie this week (photo courtesy of Steve Farley).





Sam sent in some pics of his buddies utlizing the fish cleaning station at the E72nd boat ramps (photos courtesy of Sam Horn).




Owen has been finding success on walleye casting from shore of the rocks at E72nd this week.  He had a big mystery fish break him off this week, as well (photos courtesy of Owen Lockhart).




Above are a few examples of fish we stocked this week- a bonus brook trout and a large catfish (most catfish were smaller at 1-3 lbs average).  Note:  only rainbow trout were stocked at Ohio & Erie Canal.  Wallace Lake got a mix of raonbow, brook, brown and golden rainbow trout.