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. The Rocky River water levels currently low and clear. 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, steelhead, and smallmouth bass, and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.
This week I received a handful of reports of steelhead from the Rocky and Chagrin rivers, Lake Erie shoreline (at Edgewater, E55th, and Wildwood parks), and Euclid Creek. Early steelhead tend show up around the river mouths and off the rocks on the lakefront. 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.
Channel catfish, carp, sheepshead and several sucker species are also present in local rivers, especially around the marina on the Rocky. Catfishing is usually best during lower light conditions using baits such as nightcrawlers, raw shrimp, 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. 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 most local bait shops have had golden shiners and fathead minnows in place of hard to find live emerald shiners lately. Salted emerald shiners and live golden shiners are available at E55th Marina, which will be on fall hours starting September 27 (through November first), which will be 9:00am-5:00pm daily. Boating anglers have found some 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, 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>.
Fall Dockage Specials at E55th Marina. As an FYI to late season Lake Erie fishing boaters, we are offering some fall specials on dockage at E55th Marina. Dockage from November 1-30 is available for $150. There will be electric, but no water, during this time. For dockage all of October and November the cost is $350 (although only four spaces are currently available for October). If interested call Lisa Buie (216) 431-3280.
The Fishing Report Blog Celebrates 10 Years. This month marks 10 years that the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Report Blog has served the public. The following link offers a presentation detailing highlights from the last decade of this offering as presented at a Cleveland Metroparks Board Meeting: <Fishing Report Blog: 10 Years of Serving the Public> Thank you to all of you for reading the blog!
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>.
?�nIf 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 little Collin, who caught his first fish ever at Wallace Lake on Sunday (photo courtesy of Joe Matsko).
Matt and Bill took the kids to Ledge Lake this week and Madilyn caught her first fish- a wriggly bullhead catfish! Nathan, who started a fishing club at his school, also caught a nice channel catfish (photos courtesy of Matt Marcum).
Anthony caught this fresh steelhead in a small Cleveland Metroparks stream on Monday. He was using jig tipped with maggots.
Mark landed this dandy 28" buck steelie in Cleveland Metroparks. The fish munched a 1/64 oz black and olive jig tipped with waxworm (photo courtesy of Mark Warren).
Jared found success casting spoons at the mouth of the Rock on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Jared Maitano).
Nick caught his first trout on the fly rod in Ledge Lake this week. A few trout survive the summer in this spring fed lake (photos courtesy of Nick Zarzneczny).
Ray caught his second steelie of the season along the Cleveland shoreline. The fish hit a jig tipped with minnow suspended below a bobber (photo courtesy of Ray Atkinson).
Rusty reports "Interesting fish story from the Rocky River the evening of 9/17. I took the kayak out hoping to get into an early steelhead. Slowly trolled a Husky Jerk and a Hot-N-Tot dodging boats and other paddlers with no luck up to the mouth so I went out into the lake and picked up a juvenile walleye. About 7:30pm I headed back into the river and there was a lull in boat action so I hit mid channel when my Hot-N-Tot rod went down. The fshfinder said 12-14', was about even between the breakwall and west cliffs. I was shocked when I got a first glimpse, and quickly grabbed my net and scooped a 26 inch walleye." (photos courtesy of rusty Butchko).
?�n
Brian was casting a RoosterTail spinner by the marina Sunday when this steelie latched on (photo courtesy of Brian Ailor).
Father and daughter Bob and Rachel love fishing together. Bob had a big surprise when the largest bass he ever hooked at Wallace Lake grabbed his pearl colored swimbait this past weekend. The 22" trophy largemouth was released. Great job, Bob! (photos courtesy of Rachel Kemp).
A few yellow perch are starting to bite off shore at E55th breakwall, as well as ever present sheepshead.
Another fine steelie caught at the marina on the northern Rock this week (photo courtesy of Sean Fenton).
Michael caught a chunky largemouth bass casting a rattle crankbait at Edgewater Park this week (photo courtesy of Michael Yang).
Randy headed to the Rock this week to test out his homemade bamboo float rod and was rewarded with a chrome steelhead (photo courtesy of Randy Gerrick).
And yet another steelie caught by the mouth of the Rocky River this week (photo courtesy of Matt Phillips).
For this installment of Know Your Fish, can you name this juvenile fish sampled in the Rocky River by the nature center last week? Please submit your guesses in the comments section (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).
This steelhead was caught at Wildwood Park on Monday (photo courtesy of Richard Williams).
This past Saturday, lots of fish were caught by happy kids at the inaugural Middleburgh Height Community Pool Fishing Derby. The event was a collaboration with the city and Cleveland Metroparks. The left over bass and sunfish will be released in Metroparks lakes today.
This image illustrates how much fish love lily pads- even giant foam ones!
Michael wanted to get everybody excited for the steelhead season by sharing this <video> (video courtesy of Michael Iglewski).
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.