May 18, 2018

In late spring, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include smallmouth/largemouth bass, stocked rainbow trout, walleye, catfish, panfish, and steelhead trout.  We have rain in the forecast for the weekend so wise anglers will keep an eye on the weather and flow data before heading out.  Anglers can check the most recent river water level, temperature, and clarity (turbidity) at the following links: <Rocky River USGS flow gage data> <Chagrin River USGS flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  Throughout the spring we stocked 3,000 pounds of rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River in Millstream Run Reservation and trout from past stockings remain at Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge's, Hinckley, and Ranger lakes.  The Lake Erie marina and harbor areas also offer walleye, northern pike, panfish, and largemouth and smallmoth bass in spring.

The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are in nice shape for fishing at the moment, but there is quite a bit of rain is in the forecast over the weekend.  Wise anglers will check the raingfall and river flow data before making on a trip to the river.  Lake-run smallmouth bass have been in the spotlight and these fish are present in deeper, rocky holes throughout locals rivers.  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 in late spring.  Note:  smallmouth/largemouth bass may not be kept in Lake Erie or the Rocky River north of the Detroit Road bridge, Chagrin River north of the SR 283 bridge, or Cuyahoga River north of the Harvard Avenue bridge  between May 1 and June 29.   Lake-run channel catfish are also showing up in the streams.

Some steelhead are still around but the majority are post-spawn (dropback) fish.  The remaing spawning steelhead can be found in shallower riffle and tailout areas, while post spawn fish can be found in holes and runs, especially just downstream of spawning areas, as they travel back towards Lake Erie.  Please keep in mind that warming river temperatures are stressful on trout, and playing and releasing fish as quickly as possible is a reasponsible plan.  Given the late spring we had I'd expect a few steelhead to be around until the end of May this year.

Cleveland shoreline breakwalls are offering a hot post-spawn night bite for walleye right now.  Perfect 10s, Husky Jerks, and glow swimbaits are a few of the offerings that produce. Additionally, marinas and harbors on Lake Erie in spring also offer anglers a shot at catching smallmouth/largemouth bass (see prohibited possesion regs above), northern pike, steelhead, and panfish.  A highlight this week has been a few muskies caught along the shoreline (see photos below).  Productive spots include Edgewater, Wildwood, and East 72nd/Gordon Park boat ramp areas.  For almost any of these species a medium size silvery spoon or spinner is a good all-around choice.  Note to boaters:  the launch ramp docks are in at all Cleveland Metroparks locations at this time.

Over the course of this spring we stocked 3,000 pounds of rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River between Route 82 (Royalton Road) and the river crossing ford about a mile south of Wallace Lake.  Of the six spots we routinely stock, Bonnie Park (on both the upstream and downstream side of the dam) recieves the lion's share of these fish.  Spring river stocking has concluded as of this time.

Our inland lakes are offering very good fishing opportunities at this time.  Wallace Lake is back to normal water level and is producing largemouth bass, rainbow trout, panfish, and coho salmon are on live bait and smaller lures.  On March 29th the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked 816 rainbow trout at Shadow Lake and 2,759 rainbow trout at Hinckley Lake (these fish avarage about 3/4 lbs each).  Trout typically bite well on PowerBait, jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms, and smaller spinners (such as Rooster Tail).  Please note the current seasonal trout/salmon regulations:  Lake Erie and all streams 5/day minimum size 12" as of May 16 (this includes steelhead), 3/day no size limit at Wallace, Judge's and Ranger lakes, and 5/day no size limit at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal.  Please note:  Ledge Lake is posted as catch and release fishing only until further notice.

Spring Childrens Fishing Derbies Are Coming on May 19 & 20.  Our popular annual kids fishing derbies this weekend on Saturday May 19 at the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area and Sunday May 20 at Wallace Lake. The event is free, fish (trout and catfish) will be stocked for the event, and fishing gear and bait will be provided for those in need at no cost. For more information, you can check the following link: <May 19 Fishing Derby Info>  <May 20 Fishing Derby Info>.

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

Owen was fishing with his dad on the Chagrin River when he caught this beautiful smallmouth bass.  His mon, Jenn, is a Senior Natural Resources Manager at Cleveland Metroparks (photo courtesy of Jenn Grieser).



John has a great attitude about passing on the fishing torch "I enjoy putting people on fish as much as I enjoy catching. This is a fish Ohio catfish from a trib. She has never fished before but she is hooked now! I had 8 students and they were so happy see someone hook up."  (photo courtesy of John Fay).







Moe is super proud of the girls in his life this week-  daughter Nadia with some nice sunfish and largemouth bass from a local pond and wife Fran wih some bruiser smallmouth bass from the Rocky River (photos courtesy of Moe Slyman).




John made an amazing catch and shared "I thought you, your staff, and readers would enjoy taking a look at what’s possible when fishing the Lake Erie shore front. Caught and released this beautiful Muskie right after catching a fish Ohio walleye! Saturday night (5/12/18) at East 55 Marina pier about 10:00 pm. Caught on a P10 Clown, deep diver, conservatively 37”." photos courtesy of John Winters).



And speaking of muskies, this one was caught at Wildwood Marina on Euclid Creek this week.  Ohio Division of Wildlife Fisheries Supervisor Curt Wagner also appreciates these reports and encourages folks who catch any Ohio muskie to record their catches in the <Muskie Angler Log> (photo courtesy of Keith Knerem).



Macho cvaught and released some big smallmouth at Edgewater Park this week (photo courtesy of Macho Velez).






John recently took his buddy fishing on the Rocky and Vic caught his first steelhead ever and a bonus smallmouth bass (photos courtesy of John Hall).




Sean and his grandpa Red caught some fine Rocky River smallies (photos courtesy of Sean Fenton).





Owen has been enjoying the multi-species angling opportunities this spring (photos courtesy of Owen Seilor).



Matt displays a fine largemouth bass caught at Edgewater Park (photo courtesy of Matt Hanlon).



Speaking of Edgewater, Juan caught a 32" northern pike there this week (photo courtesy of Juan Odio Jr.).





Speaking of pike, Mike has been catching some nice specimens on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland Metroparks (photos courtesy of Mike Reed).



Speaking of the Cuyahoga River, Jarred caught a Fish Ohio white bass there this week (photo courtesy of Jarred Bugg).




Brad has been catching some fine smallies in the Rocky River (photos courtesy of Brad Gardner).




David shared a few late season steelhead catches (photos courtesy of David Diyanni).





Charlie caught a nice channel catfish and a yellow bullhead at Morley Ford on the Rocky.  It appears a great blue heron coveted his catch! (photos courtesy of Monte Casey).



Wallace Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal were stocked with catfish and trout this week and both atreas are posted as closed to fishing until after the Children's Fshing Derbies this weekend (see report for event and closure details).



This northern watersnake caught a giolden shiner meal by the Rocky River Nature Center recently (photo courtesy of Chris Caprette).