As we begin our approach to fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include steelhead trout, smallmouth bass, carp, panfish, and channel catfish. 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>. Lake Erie anglers are targeting yellow perch, walleye, and smallmouth bass, and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.
I have received the first documented reports of steelhead being caught in the Rocky River and Edgewater Park this week! Congratulations to Chuck Mechling on winning the "First Steelhead Contest" and the Mepps spinner assortment prize (see photos of his catch below). Early steelhead also tend show up around the river mouths and off the rocks at Lakefront and Wildwood parks. Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations early in the morning, or in the evening, are as good a bet as any for connecting with an early steelhead trout. ODNR has invited anglers to take an <Ohio Trout Angler Survey> through the end of October. Please consider taking a moment to do this and give important feedback to those who make this great fishery possible.
Anglers are also pursuing a mix of warmwater species in the streams. Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the river during the day in 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 about 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).
Channel catfish, carp, sheepshead and several sucker species are also present in some of these same areas in the river, especially around the marina on the Rocky, and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water. Catfishing is usually best during lower light conditions using baits such as nightcrawlers, minnows, chicken liver, and processed dough baits. Catfish often bite best following a rain when the water is a bit murky. Good catfish catches have also been reported at our inland lakes and ponds this week. Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails. 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.
The yellow perch bite around Cleveland has been slowly improving recently following a challenging summer, but is still on the slow side overall. Anglers are using perch spreaders and live or salted shiners, although local bait shops have had golden shiners and fathead minnows in place of hard to find emerald shiners lately. Boating anglers have found perch this week off Cleveland and Euclid in 50-53 feet of water. Rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, freshwater drum and sunfish species are also found along the Cleveland shoreline in summer and can be caught on offerings such as tube jigs, dropshot rigs and live bait. Walleye schools are primarily still in deep water offshore, although a few locals have reported walleye caught at E72nd St after dark the past few weeks. A highlight has been an abundance of juvenile walleye this year (see photos below), which promises a continuation of our great Lake Erie walleye fishing into the foreseeable future. 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>.
Steelhead Expo at the Rocky River Nature Center Saturday October 3rd! A great way to kick off the steelhead season is to attend the 22nd annual Steelhead Expo will be held at the Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday October 3, 2015. 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. You can check out the OCBS website and find out details regarding the event 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
Congratulations to Chuck Mechling on catching the first documented steelhead of the season on the Rocky River (documented with time stamped photo). He wins the Mepps spinner assortment! He hooked three, landing two, on Woolly Bugger flies yesterday morning, and his buddy Tim also hooked up (photos courtesy of Tim Daley).
Ray caught this steelie casting a spoon at Edgewater Park this week (photo courtesy of Ray Atkinson).
Brian shared photos of two of his largest Wallace Lake largemouth bass of the year (photos courtesy of Brian Kich).
Tanner was bass fishing by the marina and was surprised when this 6 pound sheepshead grabbed his crankbait (photo courtesy of Tanner Marken).
Attendees were allowed to helps collect fish population data using fishing rods at Sunset Pond, North Chagrin Nature Center, recently!
This couple found a creative way to collect minnows for bait at the marina.
I found this flyer in my files- Cleveland Metroparks and Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders teaming up to bring you steelhead fishing info since (at least) 1991. That's 24 years!
The Northeast Regional Sewer District monitors water quality by surveying fish communities in our local waterways. Read and article about their work <here>.
The Rockin' & Reelin' fundraiser for Reel Recovery (benefitting men living with cancer) will be held on October 9. Please contact me if you'd like to support this initiative by purchasing tickets for the fun event. Among a pile of great auction items will be an OSU football signed by Urban Meyer.
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.