***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May and monthly from June-August*** As we transition into early summer, highlight species targeted around Cleveland Metroparks include walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, panfish, channel catfish, and common carp. 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>. Please note: the Fishing Blog is updated once a month in June, July, and August and back to weekly in September.
Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the river during the day in early summer, and often move to the heads of such pools in the early morning and evening hours to feed actively. A dark olive or brown tube jig of 3-4" length is one of the best producers of bass in the river. "Smallies" also bite well on live bait (ie: minnow, crayfish, and leeches), lures (ie: spinners and minnow plugs), and flies (ie: crayfish patterns, Clouser minnows, dark brown or olive sculpin or muddler minnow patterns). Bass of all sizes are abundant bass in the river, with a healthy number of trophy lake-run fish available through at least early June. Rock bass are also present in the same river areas as smallmouth.
Channel catfish and large carp are also present in some of these same areas in the river, and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water. Lots of channel catfish stocked in late May also remain to be caught at Wallace Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area. More catfish are scheduled to be stocked at various locations in mid June, as well. These will include Shadow Lake, Ledge Lake, Ranger Lake, Oxbow Lagoon, Judge's Lake and Strawberry Pond. Catfishing is usually best during lower light conditions using baits such as nightcrawlers, minnows, chicken liver, and processed dough baits. A good number of larger catfish are moving into the river from Lake Erie on their spawning run. Resident channel catfish are available in the river all summer.
Some large carp will be found in the northern river reaches throughout the month, as well. Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails. A growing contingent of fly anglers looking for a challenge are targeting carp with nymphs and crayfish imitations, as well. The key to fishing for either carp or catfish is fishing on (or very near) the river/lake bottom. In addition, freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch, and bullhead catfish are also abundant in the northern river reaches (north of Morley Ford) in early summer. For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing a nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a sinker.
Summer means family fishing time for many folks, and panfish fit the bill perfectly for a leisurely picnic and fishing outing. Anglers seeking panfish have experienced action at most of the ponds and lakes in the Park District in the past week. Bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed and other sunfish species can be taken with a number of offerings, but a waxworm or redworm on a small hook (or tiny jig) suspended under a stick float and fished around a weedbed or shoreline brush is always a good choice. Wallace Lake, Shadow Lake, and Lakefront Reservation are just a few of many places in the Park to wet a line for various panfish species. Wallace is a also a good location to check out for largemouth bass.
Rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, walleye, catfish, freshwater drum and sunfish species can all be found along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie in early summer. Versatile offering for a chance at multiple species include tube jigs and live minnows.
Get Your Bait, Refreshments and Boat Fuel at Metroparks Marinas! For anyone heading out on the lake or visiting the lakefront, we make getting your fishing bait, snacks and boat fuel convenient! East 55
th and Emerald Necklace (on the Rocky River) marinas offer live minnows and nightcrawler worms for anglers, and both offer a variety of refreshments. Wildwood Marina also offers refreshments. Additionally, Emerald Necklace Marina offers Honey Hut ice cream, too, which is a delicious way to cool off in summer! All three marinas also offer 87 Octane ethanol free fuel with a valve tech additive as well as sellling season launch passes (which are more convenient and cost effect than daily launch fees if you’ll be going out more than a couple times a season). Hours of operation are: East 55
th Marina Mon - Sun 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Emerald Necklace Marina is open 7 days a week 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Wildwood Marina is Weds-Sun 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
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