In late spring highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include steelhead trout, stocked trout, panfish, as well as largemouth and smallmouth bass. The steelhead fishing this past week has been good in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers, but the run is showing signs of winding down. On the plus side, lake-run smallmouth bass are going strong in the rivers. Walleye are hitting along the Cleveland shoreline after dark, and largemouth bass and panfish have been biting in inland lakes. Stocked trout in the East Branch Rocky River and Wallace, Hinckley, and Shadow lakes are also still available. Anglers can monitor the latest river flows and temperature at the following links: <Rocky River flow gage data> <Chagrin River flow gage data>.
The Rocky River is currently exhibiting low and clear conditions, but that could change if the weekend rain proves to be heavy. There are still lots of post-spawn ("dropback") steelhead throughout the river, although the run is beginning to show signs of winding down. Fish will continue to migrate back to Lake Erie over the next few weeks but, for now, appreciate the unseasonably late fishing due to the cool, late spring. Anglers reported hooking steelhead on a variety of offerings, including dime size spawn sacks, small marabou jigs tipped with a few maggots, live minnows, spinners (Vibrax and RoosterTail are good), as well as egg, nymph, and streamer fly patterns. the lake-run smallmouth bass fishing has been a highlight, with a 3-4" dark brown or olive tube jig being a very effective offering much of the time. Many of these bass are 2-4 pounds and even larger. Please consider releasing these big bass as they are the future of our self-sustaining smallmouth fishery! A spinner, live minnow, or baitfish crankbait can catch both smallmouth and steelhead-- often from the same hole.
Trout remain to be caught at Wallace Lake, Hinckley Lake, and Shadow Lake. Trout often bite on small jigs tipped with bait (maggots, waxworm, minnow, corn) suspended under a float, spawn sacks, small to medium size spinners (RoosterTail spinners are good), and Power Bait (rainbow and other bright colors have been best) about the size of a marble near the lake bottom with a small sinker. Please take note that the daily trout limit is 3/day in these waters, with the exception of Shadow Lake which is 5/day. Trout can be expected for a few more weeks until the weather warms appreciably. As an added bonus, just shy of 1,500 quality size bluegill, largemouth bass, and white crappie were stocked in Wallace and Shadow lakes in April, as well.
The spring trout stocking of the East Branch Rocky River concluded last week with 500 pounds of rainbow trout released between Royalton Road (Rt. 82) and the ford crossing just south of Wallace Lake. This stretch of river was been stocked for five weeks in a row, and plenty of trout remain and are well distributed along that entire stretch at this point. Trout have been biting well on PowerBait, small jigs tipped with maggots, salmon eggs, and small spinners. NOTE: the limit on any trout in the river, whether stocked catchable size or steelhead, is only two per day/angler with a 12" minimum size limit and our Rangers and the state Wildlife Officer are out enforcing this.
Anglers fishing the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie shoreline are pursuing walleye, steelhead, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike and a menagerie of panfish species. Many fish can be found prowling the marinas and other nearshore areas. The post-spawn walleye night bite has been good along the Cleveland shoreline, with Edgewater Park, E55th/E72nd (Gordon Park), and Wildwood Park all worth a look. Anglers are primarily casting Husky Jerk, Rattlin Rogue, and Perfect 10 crankbaits for walleye from the shoreline rocks. Be sure to bring a long handled landing net and a headlamp. The Ohio Division of Wildlife Lake Erie fishing report may be viewed <here>.
Spring Children?�+s Fishing Derbies May 16 & 17. Our highly popular annual kid?�+s fishing derbies are coming up on Saturday May 16 at Wallace Lake and Sunday May 17 at the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area. The event is free, fish will be stocked for the event, and fishing gear and bait will be provided for those in need at no cost. For more information, you can check the following link: <May 16 Fishing Derby Info> <May 17 Fishing Derby Info>. Photos from the 2013 event can be viewed at the following link: <2014 Fishing Derby photos>.
Congratulations to Volunteer Steve Nyetrae! Fisheries Program volunteer Steve Nyetrae was awarded honorable mention in the Medical Mutual Outstanding Senior Volunteer Awards this year! His valued contributions will recognized with a plaque at an awards banquet later this month. Great job, Steve-- it is very well deserved!
It Has Been a Pleasure Serving You for the Past 10 Years. May 2015 marks 10 years for me in my position at Cleveland Metroparks. It has been and continues to be a pleasure serving the fishing and conservation communities and I try my best to give you your money's worth...and then some. "Only" 20 more years until I can retire and take up fishing again!
Rocky River Marina Courtesy Docks. Dredging is complete at the boat launch ramps on the northern Rocky River and an initial courtesy dock has been installed (more will follow later this month). Additionally, the courtesy docks at Edgewater and Gordon park boat launches were installed in late April.
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
Kee shares "My son Garrett, his friend Brandon and my friend Tony all caught their first steelhead between last weekend and this weekend. I caught a bonus smallmouth on an egg pattern. All of the fish were caught on flies my son tied." (photos courtesy of Kee Sin).
Congratulations to Blake on catching his first steelhead from the Rocky this week (photo courtesy of Joe Schiel).
Anthony, a CSU professor, and his son Matt enjoy fly fishing for spring smallmouth bass and steelies together in the Rock. They do well with a chartreuse and white Clouser minnow pattern (photos courtesy of Anthony Menendez).
Randy caught his first two walleye shore casting from the Cleveland area shoreline this week. He landed one each (and lost another) on Friday and Saturday evening around 9:30-9:45pm (photos courtesy of Randy Beachnau).
Steve shares "I just wanted to share a photo of my very first steelhead. I?�+ve been trying for one for three years! Caught and proudly released by Cedar Point Road on 4/25/15." (photo courtesy of Steve Crowe).
Nick caught some fine steelies and a bonus lake-run smallmouth bass on Saturday. He caught them on "rosy red minnows", a pink colored variety of our native fathead minnow (photos courtesy of Nick Zarzneczy).
Steve (my volunteer) and Owen (on my staff this summer) make the most out of days they get out of work early! (photos courtesy of Owen Lockhart).
Anthony caught this buck steelhead this week (photo courtesy of Anthony Marazzi).
Cleveland Metroparks registered fishing guide Monte Casey had lots more successful clients on the Rocky River this week. From top to bottom are Steve "Lefty" Marshall, Fred Barton, Jim Mason, Marty Kilbane, Matt & David Web, Rick Richards and Sheila Becker, the latter with a bunch of nice steelies (photos courtesy of Monte Casey).
Last Friday students from St. Ignatius High School joined us for a fish collection educational outing on the Rocky River by the Nature Center. I saw more dropback steelhead and fine smallmouth that afternoon than I ever saw in sampling the river before!
On Friday afternoon, students from Campus International Elementary School released several dozen juvenile rainbow trout in the Rocky River (with ODNR's blessing, of course). The little trout were raised as a Trout in the Classroom project through Trout Unlimited.
Fisheries Program volunteer Steve Nyetrae was awarded honorable mention in the Medical Mutual Outstanding Senior Volunteer Awards this year! His valued contributions will recognized with a plaque at an awards banquet later this month. Great job, Steve-- it is very well deserved!
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.