September 5, 2019

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***   As we begin our approach to fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include smallmouth bass, carp, panfish, and channel catfish-  with a watchful eye looking for the first returning steelhead trout as temperatures cool. Area rivers are low and clear at the beginning of September.  To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  Lake Erie anglers are primarily targeting walleye and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish. 

Early steelhead first show up around off the rocks at Edgewater and E55th, Wildwood Park, and in the northernmost river sections by the lake.  Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with an early steelhead trout.  Reports of a few early steelhead slipping into in the northern river reaches have surfaced the past two weeks, and the cooler lately should entice a few more steelhead into the streams.

Anglers are also pursuing a mix of warmwater species in the streams.  Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the river during the day in summer, and often move to the heads of such pools in the early morning and evening hours to feed actively.  A dark olive or brown tube jig 3-4" length is one of the best producers of bass in the river.  "Smallies" also bite well on live bait (ie: minnow, crayfish, and leeches), lures (ie: spinners and minnow plugs), and flies (ie: crayfish patterns, Clouser minnows, dark brown or olive sculpin or muddler minnow patterns). 

Channel catfish, carp, sheepshead and several sucker species are also present in some of these same areas in the river, especially around the marina on the Rocky, and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water.  Catfishing is usually best during lower light conditions using baits such as nightcrawlers, minnows, chicken liver, and processed dough baits.   Catfish often bite best following a rain when the water is a bit murky.  Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails.  For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing a nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a sinker.

Anglers at our inland lakes and ponds are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish.  Wallace Lake has been turning up some fine specimens of all of these types of fish lately, as evidenced by some of the photos below.  Ledge Lake, Shadow Lake, and Beyer's Pond are just a few other spots worth poking around in late summer.

Rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, freshwater drum and sunfish species can be found along the Cleveland shoreline in summer and can be caught on offerings such as tube jigs, dropshot rigs and live bait.  Some good eater size walleye (15-20 inches) have been found in water as shallow as 16-24 feet deep by Cleveland area boating anglers.  Yellow perch fishing off Cleveland has been slow.  The ODNR Division of Wildlife weekly Lake Erie fishing report can be viewed <here>.

Steelhead Expo at the Rocky River Nature Center Saturday September 21st.    A great way to kick off the steelhead season is to attend the annual Steelhead Expo, which will be held at the Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday September 21st.  This event is a collaborative effort between the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Cleveland Metroparks and will offer a full day of expert speakers and seminars, vendors, and other related information to kick off the fall steelhead season. There is no charge for the event but OCBS, a non-profit sportman's group which is very active in the local fishing and conservation communities, is offering a raffle as a fundraiser so donations or participation in the raffle is encouraged.  Location info here: <Steelhead Expo>.

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

Gianni caught this fine channel catfish while night fishing at edgewater Park (photo courtesy of Kevin Phan).






Andreas has been having luck at Wallace Lake catching bass, crappie and catfish (photos courtesy of Andreas Sekic).



Mackenzie caught a big Lake Erie channel cafish (photo courtesy of Randy Smith).








Dustin reports "We had Kory Carneal (Smile Says it All!!!) get his FIRST walleye on then 8 more. Keys have been Bandits specifically sunspot color. We have also done well with Erie Dearies with and without night crawlers.  Also included Cammeron Warner's first walleye and a 25" inch steelhead caught by Jerry Carneal, Sr.  We got into some steel on Sept 1!!! Two tickets of steel and two tickets of walleye." (photos courtesy of Dustin Carneal).



"Hello my name is Roman Kaleta from Cleveland and I caught this beautiful 21 inch walleye at Wendy Park from the Cuyahoga river :) On August 15 2019 just before sunset on a Erie Dearie and worm" (photo courtesy of Roman Kaleta).




Ed shares "Punched in for an hour of work at Wallace the other night, and caught 4 bass plus a nice crappie...The bass took live shad and bluegill, while the crappie preferred a small, live, green sunfish." (photos courtesy of Ed Schmitt).



Joe (pictured) and Bill caught a limit of walleyes and a bonus 25" steelhead in 27 foot of water out of Rocky River on Saturday (photo courtesy of Bill Marquard).



Todd caught a 28", 8.5pound walleye on Lake Erie (photo courtesy of Todd Sandquist).



Nick caught a channel catfish in the Rocky River recently.  Now all he needs in an Ohio State shirt! (photo courtesy of Nick Penner).



Paul caught a limit of Cleveland area walleye from his stand-up paddleboard (photo courtesy of Paul Kovalcik).




Pat, in his words, did a "quick sunset session close to home" at Hinckley Lake and was rewarded with a 15" and 17" largemouth bass.  He was using plastic fogs and salamanders and called it an "amphibian feeding frenzy" (photos courtesy of Pat Campbell).





My friend Dave and I recently took out the winners of the Centennial Charity Auction fishing outing and despite waves to four foot we caught some tasty walleyes casting Erie Dearies.  Above are a few of them.



Jeremy caught a 30" Fish Ohio walleye (photo courtesy of Jeremy Springer).



Cleveland Metroparks employee Josh Kovach was fishing a bass tournament on a local lake and was surprised by this quality northern pike (photo courtesy of Josh Kovach).



Do you know the identity of this "mystery fish"?
Answer: it's a natural bronze colored goldfish (photo courtesy of Tony Modic).



Congratulations to Liz on catching her first musky all on her own.  She was casting a lure of her own choosing when the toothy brute bit.






Congratulations to Owen Lockhart on accepting a new job as the Lab Manager at the Case Western Reserve University Biology Department.  He worked for me since 2014, and for Cleveland Metroparks since at least 2011, and I could always depend on him to get the job done.  Thank you for your years of service, Owen, and CWRU is lucky to have you.