In early spring, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include steelhead trout, stocked trout, and panfish. The rivers are currently offering excellent fishing conditions, but weekend opportunities will be dependant upon how much precipitation we recieve into the weekend. The 4th annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby is this Saturday (details below) and the outlook for weather is looking good! 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>. A total of 1,200 lbs of trout were stocked the East Branch Rocky River over the past week.
The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are in great shape and offering a fresh run of steelhead today. Weekend prospects will be dependant upon how much precipitation we recieve over the next few days, but will likely remain good through at least Saturday afternoon based on the current forecast. A mix of fresh chrome and older more colorful steelhead are well distributed throughout both watersheds at this time. Steelhead spawning activity in the shallower riffle areas with increase with warmer temperatures coming into the weekend. A dime size brightly colored spawn sack drifted under a float/bobber has been a top producer, with live minnows, jigs tipped with maggots or waxworm, salmon egg mimicking beads, and various flies (eggs, nymphs, and streamers) also taking a good share of the fish. Medium size silvery spoons, spinners, and small to medium crankbaits can be worth a try, as well, and require less specialized tackle for newer steelhead anglers. The unstocked Cuyahoga River and smaller area tributaries have also been producing stray steelhead.
A total of 3,000 lbs of trout were stocked since late January/early February at Wallace (1,400 lbs), Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (650 lbs), Judge's (100 lbs), and Ranger (100 lbs) lakes. Wallace Lake, in particular, has a good number of trout remaining. This concludes our winter trout stocking which have totaled 6,000 lbs between these five locations since December. 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. 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.
Spring stocking of trout in the East Branch Rocky River began on Friday March 17 (600 lbs) and occurred again on Monday (600 lbs more). 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. Trout will then continue to be stocked regularly through the end of April, although the next trout stocking date has not been set yet. Stay posted to this report for the latest fish stocking details.
4th Annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby Fundraiser this Saturday (March 25). This Saturday the we will be hosting the fourth annual <Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby> on the Rocky River. Trophies, prizes for three largest steelhead, raffle (with $4,000 in donated fishing items!), and a cookout are all part of the day's festivities for this fun event where anglers must fish for steelhead with a kiddie fishing pole. 100% of proceeds from the fundraiser event go to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund. The dozen <raffle packages> are outstanding and have set a new high bar this year! Folks are welcome to attend the raffle and lunch (featuring locally made charcoal grilled sausages and Burntwood Tavern crispy tater tots) without competing in the event, if you wish. Lunch is included with derby entry fee, but there is a lunch fee for those who do not enter the event but want lunch. A website has been set up for the event and our list of great <sponsors> . The event has a Facebook page, as well. Don't miss this fun event for a great cause!
Fishing Area Depth Maps. The recently updated lake and pond depth maps have been relocated <here> on the new website. There is lots of other potential information of interest at that link, 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
Pat shares "I enjoyed a great day of fishing at Rock Cliff on Saturday 3/18 with my friend Bill and his son Andy despite the blustery weather. I also met a young angler named Jeff who enjoyed a nice catch fishing with his dad Dan" (photos courtesy of Pat Cramer).
Erin recently took up steelhead fishing and her first was not very big. But her next two (pictured) made up for it. Nice job Erin! (photos courtesy of Dominic Charlot).
Anthony, along with his friends Shane and Joe, caught some trout in the East Branch Rocky River on orange PowerBait (photos courtesy of anthony Lombardo).
Adam caught a bruiser 32" hen steelie in the Rocky River this week (photo courtesy of Mike Flachbart).
Corey caught a nice white crappie in Wallace Lake, as well as some black crappie in a pond with his youngest son Lincoln. He has been using a 1" Gulp minnow on a tiny jighead (photos courtesy of Corey Butram).
Matt caught some beautiful steelhead swinging flies on the Chagrin River this past weekend (photos courtesy of Matt Gracon).
Pete introduced his grandson Joe to trout on the East Branch Rocky River this week (photo courtesy of Pete Surace).
Nick shares "My brother Andy wanted me to share a photo with you for the fishing report of a nice fish he caught on the Rocky this past Saturday. I also included a Chagrin fish from the same day, and a release shot from last week on the Rock. Great time enjoying the Metroparks!!" (photos courtesy of Nick Milkovich.
Mike shares from the Rock "Received a ton of help from local fishermen over the past few weeks which helped me nail this beauty." (photo courtesy of Mike).
David shares "I got this 10.5 pounder from Chagrin River on jig and maggots and wanted to share it with you". Great fish buddy! (photo courtesy of David Parmushchuk).
Bruce was traveling through Cleveland on his way from Chicago to Philadelphia this week and stopped to fish the Rocky yesterday. Among the three steelhead he caught was this chromer he hooked swinging a minnow pattern fly (photo courtesy of Bruce Raymond).
These beautiful fresh steelhead were hooked at the Rocky River marina this past Saturday morning (photos courtesy of Mark Fascione).
Harrison caught a perfect chrome hen steelie at Rockcliff Springs on the Rocky (photo courtesy of Mark Forbush).
Joe and his buddies have been hammering fresh steelhead on the Chagrin River (photos courtesy of Joe Vidovic).
Matt caught his first fish of 2017- a colorful bluegill on a light fly rod (photo courtesy of Matt Arroyo).
Owen caught and released around 20 trout on the East Branch Rocky River on Monday afternoon on his "Sparkly Mop Butt" fly! (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).
The super fun Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby is this Saturday morning on the Rocky River! Here is a fish taken in last year's event. See details in the report above and don't miss out on the fun! (photo courtesy Nate Adams).
We stocked a total of 1,200 pounds of trout in the east Branch Rocky River this past week between Rt 82 (Royalton Road) and the low bridge river crossing (ford) just south of Wallace Lake.
Witnessed from the Cedar Point Road bridge this week- a gentleman fishing for steelhead with his grandson. The boy hooked one just minutes before this photo was taken.
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.