In spring, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include steelhead trout, stocked trout, panfish, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. The rivers have been elevated and muddy all week from rain but have finally dropped into nice shape just in time for the weekend. To monitor the most recent river water level, temperature, and clarity (turbidity) you can check the following links: <Rocky River USGS flow gage data> <Chagrin River USGS flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. Trout were stocked at Wallace Lake and East Branch Rocky River on Tuesday.
The Rocky and Chagrin rivers have been elevated and muddy most of the week but have finally dropped into nice shape for the weekend. Anglers reported observing numerous steelhead jumping the dams during the high flows. Anglers can expect a mix of pre-spawn, spawning, and post-spawn steelhead to be available and well distributed throughout the Main and East branches of the Rocky River and Chagrin River up to South Chagrin Reservation. Spawning steelhead (and suckers) can be found in shallower riffle and tailout areas, while pre and post spawn fish can be found in holes and runs, especially just downstream of spawning fish. Fly fishers, bait anglers, and hardware chuckers have all been taking a share of the fish.
Complementing the steelhead are increasing numbers of lake-run smallmouth bass. These fish are present in deeper, rocky holes throughout the main branch of the river. Anglers fishing a jig, wooly bugger, live shiner, or other lures/flies that mimic a baitfish have a shot at hooking "the silver and bronze" (a smallmouth or steelhead) in the same day for the next few weeks.
On Monday we stocked 600 pounds of rainbow trout- split 50/50 between Wallace Lake and the East Branch Rocky River. Recently ODNR stocked trout at Hinckley Lake (2,500 fish) and Shadow Lake (500 fish), as well. These fish will range from 11-14" in length. Trout also remain at Ledge, Judge's, and Ranger lakes. Trout hit well on PowerBait fished near the bottom, jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms suspended below a bobber, minnows, and smaller spoons and spinners.
Spring stocking of trout in the East Branch Rocky River began in mid March and will continue through the end of April. These fish are stocked at about a half dozen locations in Millstream Run Reservation between Royalton Road (Route 82) and the river ford (low bridge crossing) just south of Wallace Lake. We hope to stock again early next week- likely on Monday morning. Stay posted to this report for the latest fish stocking details.
Please note the current seasonal trout regulations: Lake Erie and all streams 2/day minimum size 12" (this includes steelhead), 3/day no size limit at Wallace, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes, and 5/day no size limit at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal.
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
Jacob's proud father reports "Greetings! My son, Jacob, caught this beautiful smallmouth bass on 04/13 while using a spinner down at ford by Cedar Point Hill in the Rocky River Reservation. Looking for steelhead and smallmouth. His aspiration is to one day be a pro fisherman!" (photo courtesy of Dave).
Three generations of the Butram family (grandpa Danny, parents Mariah and Corey, and fisherkids Dexter, Max, and Lincoln) had a fun outing at Wallace Lake on Sunday. They were catching their trout on pink and orange 3" rubber worms suspended a few feet under a bobber (photos courtesy of Mariah Butram).
Yellow perch and white perch are biting on and off at E55th this week. Nobody has been making catches of lots of fish, but they are getting some jumbos as you can see in the photos!
Dave caught this trophy 24" rainbow trout in Wallace Lake on a small rubber shad lure under a bobber (photo courtesy of Dave).
My old friend Shawn from North Carolina is visiting family in town and just caught this gorgeous Rocky River smallmouth bass this morning (photo courtesy of Shawn Loomis).
Andrew was fishing for bass and pike at E55th marina yesterday and hooked a surprise steelhead on a chatterbait (photos courtesy of andrew Sowinski).
John caught his limit of Wallace Lake trout on Tuesday casting a gold Little Cleo spoons (photo courtesy of John Hall).
John and his buddy Greg got some nice Rocky River steelhead this week (photo courtesy of John Fay).
On Sunday folks were making some nice catches of Wallace Lake trout. We just stocked the lake again on Monday, as well.
Shadow Lake has recieved our fisheries management attention the past several years and it is rewarding to see the largemouth bass population improving markedly. We sampled some very healthy fish there up to 22" this week. We also turned up a pretty brown trout that has been around since our winter stockings at the lake.
A local angler sent in this photo of four snakes intertwined together on some waterside brush he came across this week. They are queen snakes, a state listed threatended species that has a stronghold at one Cleveland Metroparkas location. They are preparing to mate (photo courtesy of Pat Thauevette).
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.