April 23, 2020

In mid-spring steelhead trout and lake-run smallmouth bass are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  Area streams are in good shape currently but we have quite a bit of rain in the forecast that could impact conditions into the weekend.  Anglers can check river conditions at the following links: <Rocky River flow gauge data><Chagrin River flow gauge data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  No trout were stocked this week but a total of 3,600 lbs were stocked since March 17.

Area streams are in good shape today but we have quite a bit of rain in the forecast leading into the weekend so wise anglers will monitor flow gauge and weather information prior to heading out.  Steelhead are well distributed throughout our area watersheds, with fresher fish generally downstream closer to the lake and spawning fish further upstream.  The tide has turned for the spring steelhead run and numbers of post-spawn (aka "dropback") steelhead are being observed.  Spring steelhead can be caught using all kinds techniques: drifting bait or jigs under floats, dead drifting or swinging flies and casting hardware like spoons, spinners or crankbaits among them. A brightly colored (ie hot pink or chartreuse) nickel size spawn sack is a good option when water is stained and finesse tactics shine in clear water, such as a smaller 1/64-1/32 marabou hig tipped with maggots or a waxworm, live minnows and size 12-16 Folks can learn more about <basic> and <advanced> steelhead fishing in Ohio at the highlighted links.  Steelhead can be expected in our streams through at least late April and the cooler weather could extend the season into May.  Lake-run smallmouth bass are also present in good numbers in the northern few miles of river closer to Lake Erie.

We did not stock trout this week but a total of 3,600 lbs were released since March 17 between the East Branch Rocky River and Wallace, Ledge and Ranger lakes and the Ohio Division of Wildlife recently stocked Hinckley and Shadow lakes .  The trout Metroparks stocked fish average 15-17 inches (with some even bigger- offering a quality fishery) and the state stocked trout run 11-12", the latter being perfect for kids.  Stocked trout bite on brightly colored PowerBait shaped into dime size balls, 3" rubber trout worms (pink, orange and white), small jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm and small to medium size spinners.  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 need to be minimum length of 12" and you can harvest 2/day this time of year).  The Spring Children's Fishing derbies scheduled for May have been cancelled due to the pandemic, but trout and catfish that were slated for the event will still be stocked in the coming weeks.

The breakwall at E55th, pier at Wendy Park (old Coast Guard station) and rocks/pier at Edgewater Park and E72nd offer a chance at steelhead, walleye and variety of other species in early spring.  The boat launch ramps at Edgewater, Gordon Park, and Wildwood park are all usable at this time, and the courtesy docks were installed at Edgewater and Gordon park boat launches in March (the docks at the Rocky River Emerald Necklace Marina boat launch have not been installed yet because dredging is taking place this week).  In spring, these harbor areas are good locations to find pre-spawn northern pike and largemouth bass, as well as a variety of panfish species.  A white spinnerbait with silver blades worked slowly is a good early season choice for both bass and pike. The post-spawn shoreline bite for walleye typically picks around Cleveland in late April. 

Helping out a Budding Steelhead Angler.  In these tough times a heartwarming thing happened through a local Facebook fishing page. Last week somebody posted a photo of a young angler who was so motivated that he was out trying to fish the Rocky River with a couple plastic bags on his feet because he didn’t have waders. Somebody who knew the young man said he lives to fish. A few kindhearted anglers wanted to do something about it and spearheaded putting together an amazing collection donations- not only a top-of-the-line pair of waders for the kid, but more fishing gear than he could probably use in a lifetime (I don’t know the total but it was probably $1000 worth of stuff. In the video on the Ohio Steelhead page the young man is shy but clearly very appreciative in his touching thank you at the end. I think this one really struck a chord with a lot of us because we saw a bit of ourselves in this kid looking back to when we were his age.  Anyhow, it was great to have an opportunity to play a small role supporting this and I’m proud of the Cleveland area fishing community for doing something great for a deserving young angler during tough times.  Special thanks to leads who put this together: Joe Miller, Dustin Sulecki and Adam Scarbro.

Boat Launch Pay Kiosks Are Installed.  Launch ramp pay kiosks have been re-installed for the boating season at Emerald Necklace (Rocky River), Edgewater, Gordon Park (E72nd St) and Wildwpood Park boat launches.  Boaters can pay daily onsite with a credit card or order an annual pass at the following <link> (Note: allow 2-4 weeks for delivery but printed confirmation at time of purchase can serve as interim launch pass until recieved).  Applies to all powered, trailered watercraft (kayaks and other hand powered watercraft are exempt from launch fees).

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

AJ was fishing with his grandfather Jim when he caught this rainbow trout at Bonnie Park (photo courtesy of Allen Reinke).



Rylan caught two trout yesterday while fishing the east Branch Rocky River with his grandfather (photo courtesy of Andrew Mundt).




This lad had a great day of steelhead fishing with his father on Sunday (photos courtesy of Phil Hansen).







Adam shared "Thank you for all of you hard work and efforts. I have been an avid steelhead angler for nearly 20 years. It was with great excitement and anticipation that I finally got to take my 9 year old son Tony with me. Attached are pictures of his first and second chrome landed. Much to both of our delight, he is a natural.  And like all of us hooked after his first trip. It is great to be able to teach and enjoy this with him especially in these troubling times.  Again thank you for your post and stay healthy." (photos courtesy of Adam Southall).



Ryan shared on Monday "Saw my cousin’s Marty and Will posted on the report last week, so of course I had to go and try to top them. Came up a little short but always fun when they hit the Rooster Tail." (photo courtesy of Ryan McGuire).



Chuck caught a fine Rocky River smallmouth bass on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Chuck Naujoks).




Jimmy and a buddy had a good day of steelhead fishing on Saturday (photos courtesy of Jimmy Pease).




Adam caught some steel on the Rock on Monday (photos courtesy of Adam Oren).




Carmen caught the "silver and bronze" on the Rocky this week.  That huge lakew-run smallmouth bass was 21 inches long! (photos courtesy of Carmen Colagiovanni).



Jason caught a big carp in the East Branch Rocky River by Berea Falls on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Jason Williamson).



Owen shared a nice white bass from Gordon Park Marina on Saturday.  He noted a very slow bite that day (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).




Fish don't need to be trophy size to scratch the itch, as evidenced by Greg's Beyer's Pond largemouth bass caught on Tuesday (photos courtesy of Greg Stronsick).



John had no problem keeping his catch of rainbow trout fresh this week (photo courtesy of John Hall).




JP has enjoyed casting crankbaits for Rocky River steelhead and smallmouth bass for a change of pace (photos courtesy of JP Webb).





Ed shared "So much for wondering if many trout were left in the river...Landed 5 tonight between 6:30 - 8:00!  All on Brad's Wooley Bugger Jigs 1/16 olive & black tipped with about 10 maggots.  Here are a few pics plus a funny video <link>" (photos courtes of Ed Schmitt).




Connor shared "Braved the winter weather last Friday to fish at Morley Ford and caught five steelhead in about half an hour on Vibrax spinners and spoons. Only took pictures of two, but most of them were drop back hens who were pretty beat up from spawning" (photos courtesy of Connor Patton).



Elizabeth illustrated on Monday afternoon that there are still some pre-spawn steelhead in our local streams.






Nick caught a bunch of trout in the East Branch Rocky River as well as a bonus brown bullhead catfish (photos courtesy of Nick Zarzeczny).




Richard found some wild (naturally stream bred) rainbow trout on a small, clean tributary of the Chagrin River (photos courtesy of Richard Foreman).




The dam at Bonnie Park is being incrementally removed at this time to enhanced the health of the East Branch Rocky River in Strongsville.  Visitors have the opportunity to assist in chronicle changes in the river at the location as directed by an onsite sign.  Learn more in a Cleveland Metroparks <Facebook video> about the project.



Last week a group of local steelhead anglers pitched in to surprise Keegan, a budding steelhead angler in need to equipment.  Details in the highlight in the report text above.