December 27, 2018

The Rocky River and other area streams are currently exhibiting good flow and stain and anglers have been catching steelhead this week, but rain is in the forecast.  Anglers can monitor the most recent river water level and temperature at the following link prior to making a trip: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  Nearshore Lake Erie anglers are targeting walleye, steelhead, and yellow perch.  A total of 3,000 lbs of rainbow trout were stocked in Metroparks lakes recently (details below).

The Rocky River and other area streams are offering good flow and stain for steelhead fishing, and anglers reported good fishing this week.  But there is rain in the forecast tonight and tomorrow so wise anglers will check the trend from the flow gage data before making a trip to the river.  Fish are spread throughout the system at this time, with anglers reporting some better size fish (25-29") in the mix this week.  Steelhead have been caught on marabou jigs under floats, brightly colored dime to nickel size spawn sacks, beads that mimic salmon eggs, flies (egg patterns and baitfish streamers), and lures such as Little Cleo spoons and Vibrax spinners.  Overall, the general feeling is that this steelhead season has been somewhat below average overall, although the past few weeks have offered some of the best fishing of the year so far.

Anglers fishing along the Cleveland lakefront have a shot at late season walleye from the E55th/E72nd areas.  At the same locations some steelhead have been caught this week on nightcrawlers or small jigs tipped with minnow suspended between 4-6 feet under a bobber, as well as for anglers casting spoons.  Some jumbo yellow perch are being caught on the west side of the E55th north facing breakwall on live and salted emerald shiners on the lake bottom using crappie rigs.

In mid-December we stocked 3,000 lbs of rainbow trout, as follows:  Wallace (1,400 lbs), Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (600 lbs), Judge's (150 lbs) and Ranger (100 lbs) lakes.  The size of the trout averages about a pound and a half each, although fish range from 3/4 lb to 2.5 lbs  Along with the predominantly standard rainbow trout are fair number of colorful golden rainbow trout (see photo below).  Please note: the limits on these trout at 3/day at Wallace, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes and 5/day at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area (there is no size limit, unlike the river where trout ned to be minimum length of 12" and you can harvest 2/day).  The second and final round of winter trout will go into the same lakes around mid to late January.  These trout bite well on jigging spoons, brightly colored PowerBait, and small jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm.  Our lakes should be ice free for the weekend based on the current forecast.

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

 

This morning Jayce Davitt landed his first steelhead while fishing with Grandpa Todd on the Rocky River.  Grandpa hooked it and handed the rod to Jayce and the lad did the rest (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).

 

Jake shared "Took dad fishing down to *smaller creek name withheld* in Bedford Reservation. He hasn’t caught a steelhead in 3 years. Gave him my new fly rod and let him fish about .25 miles up stream of the small waterfall alongside the trail. I thought he’d only get casting practice. Sure enough..." (photo courtesy of Jake Kainec).



Chris shared on Sunday "Landed my first steelhead today (25inch).  Caught from the wall on East 55th with a worm on a chartreuse jig suspended five foot below a bobber." (photo courtesy of Jay Wirtanen).



Congratulations to Joe Compton who caught his first steelhead ever on the Rocky River yesterday under the tutelage of his buddy Chris Thompson (photo courtesy of Joe Compton).











A big congratulations goes out to Dana on eclipsing her former personal best walleye with this 12 lb 9 oz giant caught off Cleveland this week (photos courtesy of Dana Klonowski-Daugherty).




Max reported yesterday "Had a good morning at the Chagrin on Wednesday.  Went 6 for 8 with the new centerpin" (photos courtesy of Max Madden).





Adam had a good week fishing with dad, catching both Wallace Lake rainbow trout and Rocky River steelhead (photos courtesy of Mike Flachbart).



Congratulations to Brian Markham on catching this 12 lb 4 oz trophy walleye off Cleveland on Friday trolling a P10 stickbait (photo courtesy of Michael Ruffo).



Ross reported late last week from Wallace Lake "I got one my girlfriend got one. They were biting like crazy. We only had maybe a hour to fish" (photo courtesy of Ross Bailey).





Dennis and a buddy landed some rainbow trout at Wallace Lake last Friday (photos courtesy of Dennis Lewis).






This week E55th was producing some jumbo yellow perch on the north facing breakwall for anglers fishing live or salted emerald shiners on the bottom and the east facing breakwall is producing some steelhead for anglers dunking nightcrawlers and minnows about 4-6 feet under bobbers.



Nick landed a nice steelhead as Gypsy the chocolate lab approvingly observed (photo courtesy of Nick Zarzeczny).



Todd caught and released a colorful golden rainbow trout at Wallace Lake using a small jig (photo courtesy of Todd Pullman).



Bill caught this fresh chromer on a homemade marabou jig yesterday on the Rocky.  He reports good action by the boat ramps the past two days (photo courtesy of Bill Mantle).







We conduct fish transfer work up until the lakes ice up.  The cold water is less stressful on the fish that we collect and relocate.