As we approach early fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include smallmouth bass, steelhead trout, carp, panfish, and channel catfish. Local streams are currently elevated and muddy from overnight rain. The river level has dropped following last week's rain and is running fairly clear. Anglers can keep abreast of the latest river flows and temperature at the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data> <Chagrin River flow gage data>. Lake Erie anglers are targeting yellow perch, walleye, white bass, smallmouth bass and panfish, and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.
Over the weekend I received the first handful of reports of steelhead caught in the Rocky River, clearly drawn in by the increased river flow and cooler temperatures last week. Early steelhead tend to first show up around the river mouths and off the rocks at Edgewater Park and will hit spoons and spinners (Little Cleo, Vibrax and Rooster Tail all being proven producers), as well as jigs and spawn. One angler this week caught a chromer fly fishing with a swung baitfish streamer. The fishing will only improve as we get later into fall. As a big surprise this week, a rare pink salmon which would have likely eclipsed the current state record was caught and released during sampling at Euclid Creek last Friday (photos and more info below)!
Anglers are also still pursuing smallmouth bass in the streams. Smallies are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the river during the day, 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 about 4?�� length is one of the best producers of bass in the river. Bass 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).
The yellow perch bite slowed following the storms last week, but is beginning to pick back up. Perch had been biting pretty well off the north facing breakwall at E55th Street. Anglers are using perch spreaders and live emerald shiners, which can be purchased at the bait shop right at the E55th Marina building (if hungry, the food there is excellent, as well). Boating anglers had been targeting perch successfully off Rocky River/Gold Coast in 43-46', east of the stadium in 33-40', Edgewater Park in 30', Gordon Park/E72nd Street in 26-40' and Wildwood Park in 26-40'. A few anglers are catching walleye while perch fishing, as well, which is always a welcome surprise. The ODNR Division of Wildlife weekly Lake Erie fishing report can be viewed <here>. Anglers/boaters can view current lake conditions off Cleveland at the following link: <City Of Cleveland Water Intake Crib Cam>.
WANTED: CHARLIE THE CATFISH. REWARD!!! Last week Charles Dodd of Sheffield Lake donated a large channel catfish, which had outgrown its small pond, to Cleveland Metroparks. "Charlie the Catfish" was released in Wallace Lake and a reward has been set for his capture to make things interesting. You can identify Charlie because he has a trimmed right whisker (see photos below). To be eligible for the prize, if you catch him, take a photo holding Charlie with Wallace Lake clearly in the background and get an exact length and forward both to me. Accuracy of the information as it pertains to prize eligibility will be at my discretion. I went through my stash here and found a tackle box full of lures, all lightly used (see image below), and the angler who rounds up Charlie can win this fine prize. Good luck bounty hunters!
Steelhead Expo at the Rocky River Nature Center Saturday October 4th! A great way to kick off the steelhead season is to attend the 21st annual Steelhead Expo will be held at the Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday October 4th, 2014. 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 kick off 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. The event press release can be found <here>. You can check out the OCBS website at this link: <Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders website>.
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
John had a rewarding Sunday fly fishing the Rock, hooking a fresh chrome hen on a swung minnow pattern fly (photos courtesy of John Diez).
Pink salmon are a rare, smaller salmon species in Ohio. The one in this photo was sampled by Cleveland Metroparks staff on Friday September 12 in Euclid Creek and would very likely have surpassed the Ohio state record for the species (which is 3.06 pounds at 20 1/8".) The fish was released quickly while it was healthy and happy, and will hopefully make some lucky angler's day! They are also known as humpback salmon due to the curved backs on the males of the species, as evidenced in the specimen in the image.
Sisters enjoying fishing at Edgewater Pier on Wednesday, as well as helping Daddy pick just the right offering from the tackle box.
Ken Harper is on the scoreboard with this fresh buck taken in the Rock Sunday on a spawn sack about a mile upstream of the marina (photo courtesy of Ken Harper).
Volunteer Steve displays Charlie the Catfish, as well as the tackle box prize being offered for his documented capture. See the fishing report highlight for details.
Well what do you know, we were front page news this week! (photo courtesy of Julie Neel).
Alan reports some successful perch outings at E55th lately, although he noted the fishing was slow there this week following the front. He also displays the broiled spoils enjoyed by the perchin' victor! (photos courtesy of Alan Tomko).
Thank you to Jake Markham of Alberta, Canada, for donating this assortment of just over 2 dozen classic salmon/steelhead flies in box (valued at over $100) to be raffled off among the many prizes as a fundraiser at the Steelhead Expo. Jake, formerly a commercial tier, is a friend I made on a recent fishing trip to the Arctic Circle. Although he may never fish our Lake Erie steelhead tribs he notes of the donation "One must give back to the fishes we love, in my humble opinion". How can you not love that attitude and generosity!?
Perching slowed down this week aboard the Linda Mae, as well, although a few bonus walleye made up for that among a few lucky anglers. Among the images above are a 14" yellow perch and 31" sheepshead (photos courtesy of Wildwood Marina).
Although not taken in Cleveland Metroparks, the photos above illustrate why it's important to pick up used fishing line. Unfortunately, this beautiful hawk died needlessly due to somebody's carelessness (photos courtesy of Blake Mathys).
Note: The fishing report is updated monthly in June, July, and August and weekly every other month
***Note: All photo submissions must first complete the Cleveland Metroparks photo waiver.***
2024 Cleveland Metroparks Registered Fishing Guides
(name, company, contact)
- #24-001 Gareth Thomas, Alley Grabs Guide Service, [email protected] (216) 235-5056
- #24-002 Jeff Liskay, Great Lakes Flyfishing LLC, [email protected] (440) 781-7536
- #24-003 Monte Casey, The Steelhead Guide, (440) 773-8064 www.steelheadguide.com
- #24-004 Anthony Montagnese, Covered Bridge Outfitters, [email protected] (440) 320-105
- #24-005 Lucas Smith, What That Vise Do LLC, [email protected] (724) 841-1564
- #24-006 Nicholas DelVecchio, Wildwood Outfitters, [email protected] (724) 433-2315
- #24-007 Nate Miller, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com (440) 796-6105
- #24-008 Jim Lampros, [email protected] (216) 513-6011
More information on Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Guide Permit requirements, including the permit application, you may check the following link:
<Fishing Guide Permit Program>
Learn how you can support recreation opportunities through a donation to the Cleveland Metroparks
Fishing Fund.