April 9, 2020

In spring steelhead trout are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  Area streams are elevated and muddy with more rain t4in the forecast today.  Weekend prospects on the main rivers will depend on how much rain we recieve but smaller streams will be the first to drop and clear.  Anglers can check river conditions at the following links: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  A total of 600 lbs of trout were stocked between Wallce Lake (400 lbs) and the East Branch Rocky River (200 lbs) on Tuesday.

Area streams are elevated and muddy with more rain forecasted today and weekend prospects on the rivers will depend on how much more rain we recieve.  If the main rivers are muddy the smaller streams should be in decent shape for the weekend.  A few examples of smaller steelhead streams in Cleveland Metroparks would be Euclid Creek at Wildwood Park, Porter Creek at Huntington Reservation and Tinker's Creek in Bedford Reservation.  Streams have been offering a mix of chrome pre-spawn, spawning and post-spawn steelhead.   Steelhead are well distributed throughout our area watersheds, with fresher fish generally downstream closer to the lake and spawning fish further upstream.  In stained water steelhead bite well on dime to nickel size spawn sacks in bright colors (hot pink and chartreuse are favorites).  When streams levels drop and begin to clear 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. 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 or early May.  Lake-run white suckers are intermixed with steelhead in area streams, as well as the first few lake run smallmouth bass of the season.

Metroparks lakes and ponds offer rainbow trout fishing opportunities even when streams are muddied.  On Tuesday we stocked 600 lbs of rainbow trout with 2/3 going into Wallace Lake and 1/3 going into the East Branch Rocky River, the latter of which is muddy today.  Last week we stocked 600 lbs of trout at Ledge Lake and the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked trout at Hinckley and Shadow lakes (note: being an impoundment on the Rocky River, Hinckley Lake is muddy from rain).  The trout Metroparks stocks 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 East Branch Rocky River is scheduled to be stocked again next week and we hope to stock through the end of April.

The forecast is calling for increasing north wind today that will kick up waves and muddy Lake Erie.  When conditions are amenable, 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).  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 April. 

Spring is a Great Time for Family Fishing!  As a silver lining of our current times, it has been great to see so many families out fishing together.  See several featured photos below of children who had success this week.  Stocked trout at places like Wallace Lake, Ledge Lake, Shadow Lake and Ranger Lake will offer good family fishing opportunities this weekend.  You can use basic inexpensive gear available at your local variety store/superstore (sporting goods stores are deemed non-essential and closed, although many offer online sales).  A spincast (closed face) or medium-light spinning rod spooled with 8 lb line can purchased for as low as $20.  Worms fished under a bobber or on the bottom with a few split shot weights and a size 6 hook will catch just about anything- trout, bluegill, largemouth bass, catfish or carp among them.  Canned corn is also a readily available bait that trout like.  This week Cleveland Metroparks offered a Facebook Live segment about <trout fishing> with some additional  information.  And our trout are raised in Ohio and are a healthy and locally sourced dinner option that can lighten your grocery bill, too.  Good luck and don't forget to send in your family fishing photos to be featured in the fishing report (contact info below)!

East Branch Rocky River Closure to Vehicles between Spafford Road and Berea Falls.  The East Branch of the Rocky River has been closed off to vehicular traffic between Spafford Road and Berea Falls to essentially turn the road into a 20 foot wide trail so people can properly spread out since our park visitation is at an all time high.  Berea Falls is the end of the road for steelhead traveling up from Lake Erie and this several mile stretch is very popular with spring steelhead anglers.  The good news is that folks with a bike or strong legs and an adventurous spirit can still access this popular fishing area.  The reward will be fewer anglers than usual on this prime spring steelhead fishing water.

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

Olivia was fishing for trout using corn for bait at Hinckley Lake on Saturday when she caught this surprise trophy largemouth bass (photo courtesy of Billy Miranda).



Aubrey caught her first trout ever at Ranger Lake yesterday (ohoto courtesy of Mark ward).



Michael shared "Brayden Palus of Independence, Ohio had a battle on his hand last Friday fishing the Rocky. He successfully landed and released this nice steelhead, but not until after the fish put up a real fight" (photo courtesy of Michael Rossi).



Max caught this Wallace Lake rainbow trout on corn on Friday (photo courtesy of Corey butram).



Bill shared "My son Will got his personal best , 25 incher on a yellow jig tipped with a bit of earthworm on April 6. Great day." (photo courtesy of Bill Boyle).



Brandon's proud dad shared "My son Brandon caught his first steelhead trout caught it by the bridge by Little Met golf course.  He said it put up a good fight" (photo courtesy of Brandon's dad).





Martin shared "I just wanted to send this pic of my son’s (Will 8 years-old) first steelhead caught on the Rocky on April 5th (top photo).  The 28” male was safely released after the photo for another angler to catch.  And he caught a couple more yesterday" (photos courtesy of Martin Kilbane).




Jay shared "Sara with her first rainbow trout of the season April 2nd caught with pink jig and Sruly with his first caught with RoosterTail" (photos courtesy of Jay).







The Sullivan family along with nephew Timmy have been catching lots of Ledge Lake trout on yellow PowerBait, corn and jigs tiipped with maggots this week.  And family friend Matt Geletka caught a Rocky River steelhead on Monday (photos courtesy of Tom Sullivan).



Zach Paul caught this 30.5", 11.3 lb, steelhead in the Rocky River on Sunday (photo courtesy of Sam Dover).



Sean caught this hen steelhead at Gordon Park (photo courtesy of Sean Johnson).



Lake-run smallmouth bass are beginning to show up in local tributaries like the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Rae King).



The limit of trout in 5/day per person at Shadow and Hinckley lakes as well as the Ohio and Erie Canal.  It is 2/day minimum size 12" in local streams and Lake Erie and 3/day everywhere else (photo courtesy of Joghn Sisamis).



John caught a limit of trout at Ledge Lake on PowerBait fished on the bottom on Friday.  He witnessed others catching trout using corn under a bobber (photo courtesy of John Hall).



Todd had a great weekend steelhead fishing on the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Todd Murphy).




Ted captioned these photos "Bill and Ted's Excellent Fishing Adventure"!  They were fishing the East Branch Rocky River (photos courtesy of Ted).




Tony has been sampling steelhead fishing all around Cleveland Metroparks this week (photos courtesy of Tony Cilluffo).



Adam shared Monday "On the pink Mad River Trout Worm 3rd cast of the day on the Rocky River!" (photo courtesy of Adam Oren).



John put down the float rod this week to pursue steelies with the fly rod and was not disappointed (photo courtesy of John Burkhart).



Ephraim shared a funny story "This gentleman was throwing a spoon at a float stuck in the river at Morley Ford and caught this smallmouth bass" (photo courtesy of Ephraim Bowser).




Sean shared "I caught these trout at Bonnie Park on plastic red trout worms and my mom Barb Behnke helped me cook the entire meal" (photos courtesy of Sean Perron).




Pat shared "Enjoyed a great Tuesday afternoon (per my standards) at Rockcliff despite the on again/off again rain landing 3 out of 5 hook ups.  I would like to say hello to my angling friends Bill, Ed, Chris, Ken, Dano, Ming, Tony, Nick, Justin, Matt & Luther. Wishing that all stay safe and stay healthy!" (photos courtesy of Pat Cramer).



Tony caught this rainbow trout at a smaller pond using a bit of earthworm (photo courtesy of Tony Modic).




Dale shared "Just wanted to add a couple of catches from this week’s trips to Metroparks locations. Thought the fishing would be better as the flows dropped in to play, but I had a tough time. I’m scared to think the season might be coming to an early end due to the mild winter and all the rain we’ve gotten. Oh, well...that’s the fate of the steelhead fisherman. Caught some fish in creeks on tiny flies and the big one on pink spawn sac on the pin at The Rock. She jumped at least six times a full length out of the water. One heck of a fight!" (photos courtesy of Dale Novotny).
 


This lad caught and released a nice rainbow trout at Bonnie Park on Friday afternoon.




For the sake our everyone's health, we must practice social distancing out there.