February 22, 2024

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May***  Steelhead fishing prospects are good as local streams are offering decent fishing conditions. Some rain may be in the forecast leading into the weekend and anglers can monitor the most recent river conditions at the following links: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. Cleveland Metroparks stocked 500 pounds of mixed trout at Wallace Lake recently (details in report below).
 
The Rocky River and other area streams are offering decent steelhead fishing conditions, although the water is getting fairly low and clear. There is some rain in the forecast leading into the weekend, but as long as it is not too much steelhead fishing prospects will remain favorable through the weekend. Be aware that the streams can be especially slushy in the mornings following nights that dip below mid 20 deg F. In low and clear water conditions anglers who employ finesse offerings and techniques will typically catch the most fish. Smaller dime size spawn sacks (trout or salmon eggs in more subdued color mesh), live minnows, 1/64 or 1/32 oz marabou jigs tipped with maggots, soft plastic minnows/nymphs/tubes on a small jig, and salmon egg mimicking beads can all work well in our current conditions. Offerings should be drifted under a smaller float (2.5-6 gram) on 6 pound fluorocarbon leader and just enough split shot to get down for best results. Fly fishers are dead drifting egg patterns, beadhead nymph and streamer patterns under strike indicators. The visual appeal of a presentation can be just as important, if not more so, in clear water than scent- the latter being very important in stained water. There are a mix of pre-spawn, spawning and post spawn fish present in the streams. 
 
This was the final winter trout stocking occurred in late January with a combined 6,500 lbs having already gone into Wallace (2,300 lbs), Shadow (1,500 lbs), Ledge (1,300 lbs), Judge’s (200 lbs) and Ranger (200 lbs) lakes.  The majority were rainbow trout averaging a pound each although there were plenty of bonus brook, brown, golden rainbow, and even rare tiger (brook x brown hybrid) trout to keep things interesting. Small marabou or hair jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm, a dime sized ball of Power Bait, and smallish to medium size spinners are all great offerings to try for trout this time of year. Spring stocking of rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River will commence around mid March. Keep posted to this report for details on that.
 
Cleveland Museum of Natural History trout Club offering. Tuesday, Feb 27, 7-10 PM at Gormley's Pub, "There's a Fly in my Beer!", Open Vise Fly Tying. Come and share a pattern, come and learn, or just come and watch! No charge to attend.  
 
Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby is back on Saturday March 30th and ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!  The always popular Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby is back this year and scheduled for Saturday March 30th. Cleveland Metroparks will be leading the event and Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders (a non-profit) will be hosting the raffle. Trophies for three largest steelhead, raffles, and a cookout are all part of the day's festivities for this fun event where anglers must fish for steelhead with a kiddie fishing pole! 100% of proceeds from the fundraiser event go to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund (this event has raised $49K since 2015).  The event headquarters will be at South Mastic Woods Picnic Area (immediately south of the Putritas Road bridge), a central location on the Rocky River that offers lots of space. Mark your calendars for this fun event for a great cause! You can save $5 versus the day of the event ($30 vs $35) by registering for the Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby online. More info and register online here:  <Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby>.
 
A big thank you to our current event supporters, as follows. Westside Toyota is a Supporting Sponsor and Jason’s Automotive Inc is a Friend of the Event (the latter for the third year in a row). Contributors to the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders raffle (proceeds also go to the Fishing Fund) include repeat supporters Shine’s Bait & Tackle, VooDoo Custom Tackle, Cuyahoga Falls Parks & Recreation Department, ASG Custom Rods, and Lake Erie Kayak Fishing with Chuck Earls. First time supporters include Cast Cray Outdoors and Richard Angelone. Please consider patronizing these businesses that support local fishing!
 
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] .

Tight Lines,

Mike

Congratulations to Joe on his trout catches from Wallace Lake (photos courtesy of Joe Specht).




Brent shows off a beautiful stocked brook trout he caught fly fishing in Cleveland Metroparks (photo courtesy of Brent O’Neill).




Chris caught this 30 inch hen steelhead by the Rocky River marina on Friday (photo courtesy of Chris).






Brian shared photos of a pair of beautiful brook trout from Wallace Lake and a Rocky River steelhead he caught this week (photos courtesy of Brian Kich).








Mike and his buddy have been landing some quality steelhead in the Rocky River recently as well as a bonus smallmouth bass (photos courtesy of Mike Sekerak).






Chris is finding success chasing the Rocky River steelies with a fly rod 9photos courtesy of Chris Ligan).




Some of these steelhead are extremely thick bodied this year!




I slipped out at the very end of the day Monday after things warmed up and was rewarded with this bruiser buck along with several others.





MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!  The Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby fundraiser is coming back on Saturday March 30^th. Thank you to Supporting Sponsor Westside Toyota and multi-year supporter Jason’s Automotive Inc.  More info and register online here:  <Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby>.