In fall highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River, other area streams, and Lake Erie include steelhead, yellow perch, walleye, and panfish. Following a weekend of an angry lake and muddy rivers, the local fishing has been good this week. The Rocky River offering good conditions with a moderate stain and flow this morning, more rain is in the forecast so anglers should keep an eye on the flow data to determine the trend in flow before heading out. The Chagrin River is elevated and still on the rise. 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>. The steelhead bite from the Lake Erie shore has been hot at Edgewater and E55th, and yellow perch are biting well for boaters off Cleveland and Euclid. Winds look mostly favorable for Lake Erie nearshore fishing going into the weekend.
The Rocky River and other area streams received some much needed rain over the weekend and offered a good number of fresh steelhead this week. As of this writing the Rocky River is fishable with a moderate stain and flow, but the Chagrin River is elevated, muddy, and still on the rise. There is more rain in the forecast, though, so wise anglers will keep an eye on the flow data before heading out to the streams. As of this writing the Rocky River is fishable with a moderate stain and flow, but the Chagrin River is elevated, muddy, and still on the rise. Anglers have been hooking steelhead in the rivers on spawn sacks and jigs drifted under floats, as well as on Little Cleo spoons and Vibrax spinners. The Lake Erie shoreline steelhead bite has been hot at Edgewater and E55th this week, with Wildwood and Huntington parks also producing some fish. Be aware that conditions can be unfishable at most spots along the lakefront when there is a strong northerly wind, though. Many lakefront fish this week fell for a small jig tipped with maggots or a minnow suspended 4-6 feet below a bobber, with a nightcrawler below a bobber also taking fish. Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are also good bets for connecting with a steelhead trout.
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) earlier in October and plenty of these fish remain. Anglers at our inland lakes and ponds are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish. The first round of winter trout stockings at our inland lakes and ponds is loosely scheduled for mid-December. Details on that will be covered in future fishing reports.
The yellow perch bite has been good off Cleveland this week. Anglers are using perch spreaders and live or salted shiners in 38-45feet of water. The perch size has been very good. Early fall walleye fish around Cleveland will improve into fall. 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>.
Fishing Invasion of the Traveling Cubs Fans? Since the first two games of the World Series were in Cleveland this week, longtime Chicago sportswriter Dale Bowman gave me a call to get the lowdown on local fishing options for traveling Cubs fans. Most telling was his shock at our free boat ramps at Emerald Necklace, Edgewater, Gordon Park, and Wildwood. Apparently launch fees along the Chicago shore of Lake Michigan are around $27/day! Did you meet any traveling anglers on our waters this week? You can read Dale's article in the Chicago Sun-Times <here>.
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
Adam caught this beautiful steelhead while fishing on the Rocky River with his father this week (photo courtesy of Mike Flachbart).
Edgewater was too rough to fish earlier this week so Mike and his neighbor checked out the more protected short pier at Wendy Park at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River and it paid off. Their steelhead took small MiniFoo jiigs tipped with minnows below a bobber (photos courtesy of Mike Reed).
Brandon caught a fine Wallace Lake largemouth bass on a KVD Squarebill crankbait (photo courtesy of Brandon Stewart).
Chris had a bloody good time by the marina on the northern Rocky on Tuesday morning, landing 2 nice steelies on a Blue Fox spinner (photo courtesy of Chris Masline).
Craig caught and released this pretty hen on the Rock yesterday. He was fly fishing near where Hogsback Lane meets the parkway. The fish hit a white zonker minnow pattern (photo courtesy of Craig Osterholt).
Rods were bending at Edgewater Park when I stopped by yesterday. Anglers were hooking up on small jigs tipped with maggots 6 feet below a bobber, as well as casting spoons.
Although not as hot as the bite at Edgewater, fish were also being taken at E55th yesterday, too.
Todd went 2 for 3 on steelhead hooked at the Rocky River marina yesterday (photo courtesy of Todd Davitt).
A gleaming fresh hen steelhead from the Rock (photo courtesy of Chris Levicki).
The lake has been rough most of the past week, but the Linda Mae party boat got out yesterday and their customers made some good catches of jumbo yellow perch (photos courtesy of Wildwood Marina).
Scott had a banner day on the Rocky River on Monday afternoon- hooking 11 steelhead after work (photos courtesy of Scott Deere).
Julian displays a nice Cleveland Metroparks largemouth bass.
There was no hiding from those strong north winds along the lake much of last weekend! The lake at E55th was angry last Friday (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).
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>
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