November 3, 2022

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***   Anglers on the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers have been pursuing steelhead trout.  Streams are low and clear and water levels will remain low for the weekend based on the dry forecast. 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 targeting walleye, yellow perch and steelhead and anglers are targeting recently stocked rainbow trout and channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area (off E49th Street down the trail from Canalway Visitor Center).

Local streams are currently low and clear and those conditions look like they'll remain into the weekend based on the dry weather forecast.  The best steelhead fishing prospects on the Rocky River willl be in the deeper holes throughout the main branch of the river as well as in the lower rivers from the first riffle at Scenic Park (just upstream of the public boat ramps) to Lake Erie.  Fallen leaves are heavy in the river at this time, especially in the slower water, making fishing these areas more challenging.  Anglers are hooking steelhead using smaller dime spawn sacks (salmon or trout eggs) in colored mesh, 1/16-1/64 oz marabou or hair jigs tipped with a waxworm or a few maggots, live minnows, and salmon egg mimmicking beads drifted near the bottom under a float.  In low and clear stream conditions downsizing to a lighter 6 lb flourocarbon leader and smaller float can help elicit more bites.  Steelhead contine to also be caught off the breakwall at E55th Marina and off the rocks at Edgewater Park, as well as Wildwood Park, all on Lake Erie.  Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with a steelhead trout, as is suspending a whole nightcrawler on a plain hook or jigs tipped with minnow or maggots a few feet below a bobber.

Lakefront areas like E55th breakwall are producing an increasing number of walleye after dark, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well.  Walleye trolling off Cleveland has been excellent this week.  For anglers with access to a boat, the yellow perch bite is picking up off the east end of the Cleveland outer breakwall and by the Cuyahoga River lighthouse in about 30 foot of water, as well.  Spotty catches of perch are also being made from shore at E55th breakwall and the old Coast Guard Station at Wendy Park.  Emerald shiners fished near the bottom on a crappie rig or spreader can both be effective.

In mid October Cleveland Metroparks stocked 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout and 600 lbs of channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street and many of those fish remain to be caught, as evidenced by the images that follow this report.  The trout average 1.5 lb each and the catfish average 1-2 lbs, but we included a handful of bigger fish and quite a few golden rainbow trout to spice things up.  For basic tips and techniques on fishing for these fish check out a past  <Facebook Live> segment offered by my colleague Faruq from Cleveland Metroparks Youth Outdoors program.  If you are happy catching either species you can try a nightcrawler worm or piece of shrimp fished on the canal bottom.

Photo Release Waivers for Fishing Blog Photos (fast and easy to complete online).  Photo release waivers for photos sent in for the fishing report can easily be completed online through Smart Waiver (takes only about 30 seconds to complete) at the following link: <Smart Waiver link>. You only need to do this one time and any future additional photos submitted are already covered.

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] .

Sharlene shared "My son, Elijah caught this fish in Ledge Lake on October 29th around 4pm using a nightcrawler. We want to attempt to use lures next time because the bass loved to steal our worms. We are super excited to share our catch and contribute for the first time to the report!" (photo courtesy of Charlene Cleveland).



Caleb shared "I caught my first steelie in the Rocky River near Emerald Necklace Marina. I’m hooked!" (photo courtesy of Caleb Tolento).



Mark shared on Satuday "We got a nice steelie today on Rocky. Tipped the Boga scale at 11 lbs.  Gorgeous day to be out!" (photo courtesy of Mark Boyette).



Tyler scored a walleye by the marina on the Rocky (photo courtesy of Michael Fenske).



Brent shared yesterday "This fish came out of a nearby creek and ate a hares ear nymph under a big dry fly" (photo courtesy of Brent ONeill).




Paul is back again and shared "Paul from West Virginia and my buddy Danny with his first steelhead another great weekend on the Rocky" (photos courtesy of Paul Goodman).




Dave caught a walleye and a beautiful sunrise off Cleveland this week (photos courtesy of Dave Warner).




Chris and his firlfriend got into some nice lake shore steelies.  The brute she's holding was 28 inches and was caught on 6 lb flourocarbon on a 7ft bass rod and a 2/5 oz blue and silver Little Cleo (photos courtesy of Chris Hudson).



Jeremiah shared regarding an awesome day this week "My brother Lonnie and I decided to go squirrel hunting in Ashland county and both got our first squirrels ever. Then called my dad around 4 pm and he said he was going fishing for some walleyes so my brother and I drove from Ashland to Edgewater and both caught one so we both got some surf and turf.  It was a 24 hour great memory filled day!! " (photo courtesy of Jeremiah Short).




Michael shared regarding his surprise coho salmon catch from the Rocky this week "Nice surprise pretty far up the river in Fairview Park. Caught on white/gray marabou jig." (photos courtesy of Michael Kocon).



Speaking of salmon, Phillip caught this hen king salmon, aka chinook salmon, in the lower Rocky River yesterday.  Any salmon in local streams are likely strays from programs in the upper Great Lakes (photo courtesy of Patrick).



On Monday night martin scored this 8 lb walleye while casting from shore (photo courtesy of Martin Bossone).





Joey scored the coveted Gold, Sivlver and Bronze Challenge (catching a walleye, steelhead and smallmouth bass in the same day) on Sunday off the Rocky river 9photos courtesy of Joey Pongallo).




"Bo" dresses for success when fishing for steelies by the Rocky River Marina, and it clearly pays off! (photos courtesy of David "Bo" Bowser).




Brad was treasted to beautiful fall foliage and a double handful of cold steel on the river this week (photos courtesy of Brad Gardner).



I landed this brute muskie fishing with my buddy Bruce on Saturday.  Bruce has been involved with Lake St Clair muskie clubs that provide important data to fisheries biologists for muskie tagging studies that aid in management.  And he knows where to find the monsters too!



It's time again for the Joe Thomas Steelhead Challenge from Cleveland Fishing Co.!  Listen to a message about the contest from Joe <here>.  I am honored to be helping to judge entries again.  Who will get bragging rights this year? (courtesy of Cleveland fishing Co.).