***Tuesday December 13 afternoon update: Today we stocked 1,500 lbs of rainbow trout: 700 lbs in Shadow Lake, 600 lbs in Ledge Lake and 200 lbs in Judge's Lake.***
***Friday December 9 afternoon update: Today we stocked 1,500 lbs of rainbow trout: 1,400 lbs in Wallace Lake and 100 lbs in Ranger Lake.***
In early winter highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River, other area streams, and Lake Erie include steelhead, walleye, and stocked trout. The Rocky River finally received a bump in flow two days ago and is in prime shape at the moment with a run of fresh steelhead available. The forecast into the weekend looks to be classic winter steelheading weather- snowy and hovering right around the freezing mark. To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following links: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data>. When Lake Erie hasn't been kicked up the steelhead bite from shore has been decent this week at Edgewater and E55th and the walleye night walleye fishing after dark has been good.
The Rocky River received a bump in flow this week and is in prime shape at the moment. Anglers can expect classic winter steelhead fishing conditions this weekend with snow and a temperature hovering right around freezing, so dress with that in mind. Steelhead fishing in the northern Rocky and Chagrin rivers has been good this week, with quite a few fresh skipper steelhead (smaller ~18" fish) available and a few brutes mixed in. Big schools of emerald shiners have been present in the Rocky by the marina. When conditions are not too rough, the Lake Erie shoreline steelhead bite has been decent at Edgewater and E55th lately. These areas fish best with a southerly or light north wind. Suspending a jig tipped with maggots or a minnow under a float or casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with a lakefront steelhead trout. I still have yet to see confirmation of a brown trout from the Rocky this fall.
The Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area was stocked with 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout, 600 pounds of big channel catfish, and 1,000 smaller catfish (the latter by ODNR Division of Wildlife) in mid-October. The first round of winter trout stocking at our inland lakes will hopefully occur over the next week if weather does not get too foul for the delivery. Anglers can keep posted to the Fishing Blog for updates on that.
Night walleye fishing along the Cleveland shoreline was good this week as lake conditions permitted. Anglers are casting or trolling crankbaits, such as Perfect Tens and Husky Jerks, around E72nd after dark. The Fall Brawl tournament concluded this week with a 12.88 lb fish taking the $20K top prize. A few surprise muskies were reported caught off Cleveland during the tournament, as well.
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
Dan advises that "Fishing in the rain pays off!" On Tuesday he hooked 7, landing 5, in the Rock including this bruiser. He caught two on white rubber trout worms and the rest on salmon egg sacks (photo courtesy of Dan McCutcheon).
This week was the McCutcheon Show on the northern Rocky! As Dan was catching them by day, Brion was hammering them after dark. Last Friday alone he landed 17 steelhead! Although he noted that only 3 were over 18 inches. Still an evening to remember (photos courtesy of Brion McCutcheon).
Last week my old buddy Shawn Loomis was in town from North Carolina so I took him out walleye fishing in some cold northern weather! Shawn was the person who introduced me to steelhead over 30 years ago.
Patrick found a nice pod of aggressive steelies on the Cuyahoga River that were eager to slam his swung flies. Pat works for Fin Feather and Fur in Middleburg Heights so if you see him there and ask him maybe he'll divulge a few more details! (photo courtesy of Patrick Ryan).
My brother Mark got in on the Edgewater shoreline steelie bite with this fine chromer that hit a Little Cleo spoon (photo courtesy of Mark Durkalec).
Shaun is the man when it comes to catfish! He caught these late season channel catfish at Wallace Lake in recent trips (photos courtesy of Shaun Cassidy).
This fellow caught a steelhead by the marina on a minnow.
Willie shows off a nice E55th steelie yesterday afternoon.
We had a fish collection outing with youth from Applewood Centers on the Rocky this morning and learned some important things. We learned about fish ID, we learned not to turn your back on a classmate (see 2nd pic up), and we learned it was cold enough out to form ice before our eyes!
From the Better Late Than Never Files, Jason submits a few photos of nice fish caught earlier this fall (photos courtesy of Jason Meadwell).
Also from the Better Late Than Never Files, Bill caught this fine walleye in the river by the marina several weeks ago (photo courtesy of Bill Brickles).
Nick caught five steelhead on a trip this week, with this one being the largest (photo courtesy of Nick Zarzeczny).
They are still getting perch on the Linda Mae out of Wildwood Marina. Also, as a gift idea for someone interested in a perch trip, Wildwood Marina offers gift certificates (photos courtesy of Wildwood Marina).
The burn barrel- the wintertime social hub of the Rock- is back out at Morley Ford.
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.