September 15, 2022

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***   As we approach fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include smallmouth bass, carp, panfish, and channel catfish with the few first returning steelhead trout in the mix, as well. 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 inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish. 

With the cooler weather and rain this week, I have heard the first few reports of early running steelhead caught from the lower portions of the Rocky River and other area streams closer to Lake Erie.  Early fall steelhead also show up around off the rocks at Edgewater and E55th, as well as Wildwood Park 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 an early steelhead trout.  These same areas may also produce a few walleye after dark, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well.

Rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, freshwater drum and sunfish species can be found along the Cleveland shoreline in late summer and can be caught on offerings such as tube jigs, dropshot rigs and live bait.  Although not consistent from day to day, white perch and even a few yellow perch have made appearances at the shoreline at spots like E55t breakwall and Wendy Park at the old Coast Guard station recently.  They have been biting on bits of worms or small minnows fished on the bottom on a crappie rig.  The best bite is often in the morning and late afternoon.

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.

Steelhead Expo at the Rocky River Nature Center Saturday September 24th.    The Steelhead Expo is a great way to kick off the steelhead season and will be held at the Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday September 24th.  This event is a collaborative effort between the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Cleveland Metroparks and will offer a full day of expert speakers and seminars, vendors, and other related information to usher in the fall steelhead season. There is no charge for the event but OCBS, a non-profit sportman's group which is very active in the local fishing and conservation communities, is offering a raffle as a fundraiser so donations or participation in the raffle is encouraged.  Location info here: <Rocky River Nature Center>.

Fall Family Fishing Fest will be held Saturday October 15.    Come out and join us for Fall Family Fishing Fest at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation on Saturday October 15th from 10-2:00pm  This event is free and we will have a limited number of fishing poles to loan out, as well as bait.  We will be stocking 600 lbs of channel catfish and 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout at the Ohio & Erie Canal in anticipation of the event.  Although anglers of any age can participate, prizes in several categories will be reserved for kids 15 years old and under.  And all attendees will be eligible for the grand drawing of a walleye fishing trip with Captain Gary Norman and Dog Pound Charters (must be present to win).  Thank you to Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders for supporting this great event with grant funds.  More details here:  <Fall Family Fishing Fest>.

Attention Perch Anglers!  The Ohio Division of Wildlife Can Use Your Help.  Are you a perch angler who wants to play a role in assisting biologists in better understanding Central Basin yellow perch in Lake Erie? Well, here's your chance!  The Ohio Division of Wildlife Fairport Fish Research Station is looking for filleted perch carcasses with the spine/head/tail still intact (they will be taking lengths and removing otolith bones from heads for aging) until the end of October.  The fish need to be from the Central Basin between Huron to Conneaut, not from the Western Basin.  The carcasses should be frozen and have general location and depth where caught included.  They can be dropped off at the Fairport Fish Research Station M-F between 9 and 5, or if 20 or more carcasses are available they can arrange pick up (within reason).  For Cleveland area anglers I am also able to accept carcasses to retain and deliver to the researchers (arrange details using my contact info below).  This is an ideal situation because it is making use of perch already harvested by anglers.

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] .

Proud father Cristobal shared "Just moved here from NYC and didn't realize this place was such a fishing mecca! Took my kids out fishing (their first time ever) to Wendy Park Light House and let them both hold the rod while I turned the reel for this little white perch. Used a crappie rig and live worms. From Left: Winter, Quincy, Chris" (photo courtesy of Cristobal Ligan).



We turned up this beautiful pink salmon by the Rocky River first riffle on Wednesday morning while collecting fish for an educational outing.  You can tell it is a male becaue of the huge hump on the back which is why these fish are also known as humpback salmon or "humpies".  The fish was released.  We also saw an impressive number of steelhead from the boat ramps up to the first riffle.






Veteran steelheader Ken Harper (40+ years of local experience) had some steelhead success this week and shared some helpful observations:  "Have been out a few early AM hours within the past week when temps have dipped and as suspected did find a few fish scattered around after last week's rain. As you know, temperatures have been pretty marginal and not all that great for good fishing.  Typically I won't fish trout unless water is less than 68F.   Ideally 65F or less the  bite and behavior is significantly better.  Water temperature is nearly always the most important factor in early and late season trout fishing.  Anyways attached are a few pictures from recent days.    Fish have been assorted sizes from small skippers to mid size adults." (photos courtesy of Ken Harper).



This huge coho salmon was caught in Lake Erie by an angler fishing on a charter with Captain George Uhl.  They are not stocked in Lake Erie but stray down from the upper Great Lakes.  The slightly downturned hook on the upper snout is the biggest giveaway that the fish is not a male steelhead, although they look similar.  If ever in doubt about a fish ID please feel free to send to my email in the report above (photo courtesy of George Uhl).




We conducted a fish survey at Ledge Lake this past Friday and got quite a few decent size sunfish and lots of modest largemouth bass, along with some channel catfish.  We conduct our lake and pond surveys on a rotating five year cycle.




Our stream surveys this summer turned up lots of naturally reproduced rainbow trout (juvenile steelhead).  We found them within the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga watersheds!




Our staff at Lakefront Reservation have made access way easier on the west end of the E55th breakwall.  The area is now convenient for wheelchair (and fishing gear wagon) access, too.



A diverse temporary display of live fish from a recent educational outing.