March 21, 2019

***Monday March 25 morning update:  This morning 600 pounds of rainbow trout were stocked in the East Branch Rocky River at four locations between Rt 82 (Royalton Road) and the Whitney Road covered bridge.  Note:  Bonnie Park was not stocked due to maintenance work being done onsite there this week.***

The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are offering very good conditions and steelhead fishing opportunities this morning, but this scenario could change prior to the weekend with rain in the forecast.  Wise anglers will monitor the most recent river flows (and turbidity on the Rocky) at the following links before planning a trip: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  The first batch of trout of the spring season (600 lbs) were stocked in the east Branch Rocky River on Tuesday.

The Rocky River and other area streams are offering very good conditions and steelhead fishing opportunities this morning.  This scenario may not last into the weekend, though, if we recieve lots of rain.  Anglers will need to check the flow gage trend before making a trip to the river.  Steelhead are well dispersed throughout the river systems, with the freshest fish being concentrated in the northern river reaches closer to Lake Erie.  I have been hearing some reports of steelhead spawning in the shallow riffles this week, as well, but this will really ramp up in the coming few weeks.  Steelhead in early spring will bite a variety of offerings, including smaller dime size spawn bags, 1/32-1/64 oz marabou jigs under floats (black, pink, and white are top colors), beads that mimic salmon eggs, and flies (egg patterns and baitfish streamers).  In Steelhead numbers can be expected to peak into April.

The north facing breakwall at E55th and the rocks at Edgewater Park offer a chance at steelhead and yellow perch.  The boat launch ramps at Edgewater, Gordon Park, and wildwood park are all usable at this time, although courtesy docks will not go back in until approximately early April depending on weather.  These harbor areas in spring are a good place to find pre-spawn northern pike are largemouth bass.  A white spinnerbait with silver blades worked slowly is a good early season choice for both species. The post-spawn shoreline bite for walleye typically picks around Cleveland around mid April.

Opportunities for catching trout are very good at our stocked inland lakes.  And if rain fouls up river conditions this weekend this will be a great alternative.  In early March Wallace Lake recieved an infusion of 1,100 lbs of trout.  These bonus fish were possible thanks to our park Fishing Fund doing well lately (see link to that following this report).  About 2/3 of the fish are rainbow trout averaging a little over a pound each, but especially exciting was that over 100 quality size and colorful brook trout were included, as well as a fair number of golden rainbow trout and a few trophy brown trout.  See the photos below for some beautiful trout caught this week.  Throughout the winter a total of 7,100 lbs of rainbow trout were stocked between Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes.  Trout are also available at Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area down the hill from CanalWay Visitor Center off E49th Street.  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.  Trout typically bite well on PowerBait, jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms, and smaller spinners (such as Rooster Tail).  The Ohio Division of Wildlife is scheduled to stock pan sized rainbow trout at Hinckley and Shadow lakes on March 29th.

Spring Trout Stocking Has Begun.  On Tuesday morning we stocked the first batch (600 pounds) of which will be approximately 2 tons of rainbow trout into the East Branch Rocky River in Millstream Run Reservation through late April.  The stocking zone begins upstream at Rt 82 (Royalton Road) and terminates at the ford (vehicle river crossing) just south of Wallace Lake.  Approximately a half dozen locations are stocked each time, with most being at bridges over the river and other easy access points, such as Bonnie Park. The stockings will be roughly every other week, although weeks that the river is deemed too high and muddy will be skipped.  In very wet springs I will divert some of the trout to Wallace Lake, although I try not to do that.  The fish will be all rainbow trout, average a pound each and are perfect for family fishing.  I do not have a list of stocking dates set (again, timing is conditions dependant) so anglers can stay tuned to the fishing report for additional stocking information.  We are hoping the schedule the next stocking for early next week, and I'll put an update here when we do that.

CMNH Trout Club Donation and Event.  The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) Trout Club bestowed a $10K donation check to Cleveland Metroparks yesterday to help support a restoration project on a high quality coldwater tributary of the Chagrin River in North Chagrin Reservation.  This project involves removal of a barrier that halts all upstream fish passage.  Cleveland Metroparks is extremely appreciative of our growing and mutually beneficial partnership with this fine sporting club.

Also, on Wednesday April 3rd the CMNH Trout Club is pleased to present David Hartlin for a workshop and presentation at Cleveland Metroparks Merwin’s Wharf. Hartlin is a professional guide, photographer, and taxidermist from Newfoundland, Canada. He guides Atlantic salmon and brook trout in Newfoundland and Labrador through the Spring and Summer seasons. Hartlin is one of the most respected guides in that region. If you are interested in learning more about this area and its fisheries, this is a program you will not want to miss. From 4-6:00 PM Hartlin will conduct a workshop on fly photography and flies for Atlantic salmon. From 7-9:00 PM he will give a presentation on the rivers of Newfoundland and Labrador, the life history of Atlantic salmon, and how to catch them in the waters he guides. The cost is $25.00 per person and covers both programs- no split cost, and is open to everyone. Food and beverages will be available for sale. Limited to the first 40 attendees. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to pick up photography and fly-tying tips, and to learn about one of the world’s greatest gamefish.  You can register <here>.

6th Annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby Fundraiser on March 30.  On Saturday March 30th we will be hosting the sixth annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby on the Rocky River.  Trophies, prizes for three largest steelhead, raffles, 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!  And new for 2019 we will be adding a children's division.  I didn't think we would be able to top last year in terms of the amazing prize packages, but lead organizer Mark Warren, local angler Greg Young, and the rest of the coordinating team have already rounded up prizes and <sponsors> for the event that exceed last year-  and they are still adding to them weekly!  Proceeds from the fundraiser event go to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund.  A <website> has been set up for the event, as well as a Facebook page.  Local angler Andy Wahl put together this outstanding <video> detailing a pastevent.  Don't miss this fun event for a great cause!

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

Joe shared "Proud dad moment. My 3 year old daughter caught her first steelhead ever out of the Chagrin River on Tuesday on a jig tipped with maggots. Caught on the first cast" (photo courtesy of Joe Miller).



Daniel shared yesterday "My great nephew Owen was in town from Florida this week an caught his first 3 steelhead".  Congraylation, Owen! (photo courtesy of Daniel Zukie).



The Russel clan struck silver on the Chagrin River this week (photo courtesy of John Russel).




Jeremiah and a friend caught a pair of freshly stocked trout in the East Branch Rocky River near Royalton Road on a jig under a float (photos courtesy of Jeremiah Shorlo).




Jessica and her dad "had some fun this week" (her words) on the Rocky River (photos courtesy of Jessica Wilkolak).



As noted last week, when the ice melts the stocked brown trout go on a feeding binge!  Ed caught this HUGE 26" brown trout in Wallace Lake this week.  He was casting a 1/4 oz white and red Little Cleo spoon.  He proudly pointed out that the Ohio state record brown trout was only an inch longer than his fish.  Great catch, Ed! (photo courtesy of Ed Schmitt).



Henry also caught a fine Wallace Lake brown trout on a jig under a bobber.  He noted giving the jig a twitching action caught him a bunch of trout this week (photo courtesy of Henry Stanley).



Bob caught a good size, gorgeous brook trout on a jig at Wallace Lake.  He further noted that "Brook trout are good tasting fish" (photo courtesy of Bob Hodoba).






John caught two trophy brook trout and several rainbow trout at Wallace Lake this week on minnows and Wacky Trout Worms (photos courtesy of John Lusnek).





Max caught some fine steelhead this week complete with a St Patty's flair!  He caught them in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers using both the fly rod and centerpin rig.  He noted the lake-run white suckers are getting thick in the Chagrin (photos courtesy of Max Madden).



Congratulation to John-Paul on catching his first ever 30 inch steelhead from the Rocky River this week (photo courtesy of John-Paul Duff).



Joe "Santa" Tonich was spotted with two of his silver "elves" on the Rocky River at Morley Ford yesterday.  I watched another angler (Elvaid Rexhaj) lose his biggest steelhead of the year while there, too (using a chatreuse bead).



Moe caught his first ever steelhead on a centerpin float rig in the Rocky River this week.  Nice work, Moe! (photo courtesy of Moe Slyman).







Mike was targeting steelhead in the Cuyahoga River this week but caught the fish in the top two photos instead, then hit the Rocky for some nice steelhead catches a few days later (photos courtesy of Mike Sekerak).




On Tuesday we stocked our first trout of the spring season into the East Branch Rocky River.  See the report highlight section for details.



If I was to caption this photo of Alabama Jim it would say "Hold my trout and watch this!" (photo courtesy of Pete Surace).




Dale shared "Wanted to add some pics for your fishing report. It’s uncanny how these trout hit at specific times. First light and last light have been great for me. Caught multiple nice fish Tuesday and Wednesday, one being my biggest Rocky River Steelie. All caught on hand tied jigs or jig and soft plastic. Thanks again for all you guys do!" (photos courtesy of dale Novotny).



A big THANK YOU to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Trout Club for presenting Cleveland Metroparks with a donationof $10K to assist with the restoration of a coldwater stream in the Chagrin River watershed.  See the report highlight section for details.