February 6, 2020

In winter steelhead trout are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  Local streams are in good shape today after experiencing a modest bump in flow over the past 24 hours.  Snow and cold temperature will likely make for slushy river conditions over the weekend, especially in the mornings.  Anglers can keep an eye on the flow data at the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  A total of 3,000 lbs of trout were stocked at five Metroparks lakes last week, as well.

Local streams experienced a modest bump in flow over the past 24 hours and are in good shape with a greenish stain and moderate flow.  Given snow and cold overnight temperatures forecasted into the weekend the streams will likely have some slush and ice building, especially in the mornings.  A mix of fresh run and more colorful steelhead (that have been in the river awhile) are being caught by anglers and moving around until active fish are found has been a good strategy this week.  Steelhead are well distributed throughout the watersheds at this time.  Steelhead in stained water earlier bite very well on dime to nickel size spawn sacks in bright colors, and as the water has cleared this week small marabou jigs (1/32 and 1/64 ounce are most popular) tipped with maggots, live or salted minnows, 3" rubber worms (pink and white have been good) and salmon egg mimmicking beads drifted near the river bottom under a float have all been taking a share of the fish. Fish can be expected to continue trickling into the streams throughout winter.

In mid January we stocked 3,000 lbs of trout at Wallace (1,400 lbs), Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (600 lbs), Judge's (150 lbs) and Ranger (100 lbs) lakes.  This complements the 3,000 lbs distributed between the same locations back in mid-December.  This was our second and final winter trout stocking.  The size of the trout averages about a pound and a half each, and along with the predominantly standard rainbow trout are good number of bonus golden rainbow trout and brook trout (see photo below).  These trout bite on jigging spoons, brightly colored PowerBait, and small jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm.  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).   Local lakes and ponds were ice free earlier this week, but with the return of colder weather and snow a thin crust of ice will be covering them again soon.  Anglers are currently fishing from the safety of shore in areas where the water drops off quickly, such as from docks, other platforms, etc.

Cleveland Metroparks Annual Boat Launch Passes are Now Available.    This week the 2020 season Cleveland Metroparks Boat Launch Pass went on sale.  The base price (there are certain discounts) is $30.   You can purchase in person at Lakefront Administration Office, 8701 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44108 Monday-Friday from 9 AM - 3 PM or online at: <2020 Boat Launch Pass>.  Note: this applies only to motorized watercraft that are trailered.

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

Luke caught his first steelhead ever by the Rocky River marina this week with some help from Brion Mcutcheon (photo courtesy of Al Katigbak).




Anthony shared "Me and my buddy Joe decided to go try for some trout after class on Monday. We caught 3 ourselves and a nice man next to us gave us two. The highlight was the Golden rainbow my buddy caught! Caught them all on a Rooster Tail spinners" (photos courtesy of Anthony Lombardo).



Mark from Independence caught his first steelhead ever in the Rocky River on Sunday (photo courtesy of Mark Cwalina).



Steve caught this quality rainbow trout at Shadow Lake (photo courtesy of Andy Young).



Miles caught a chunky hen steelhead in the Cuyahoga River yesterday (photo courtesy of Miles Boozer).




Ken caught some steelhead with their colors on full display in the Rocky River this week.  He was using beads and crankbaits (photos courtesy of Ken Stein).



David caught a steelhead from his kayak on the Rocky River north of the marina on Monday (photo courtesy of David Stuhldreher).




The mild winter has been a disappointment to ice fishers so far, but Lake Erie boating and river anglers have enjoyed the windfall (photos courtesy of Dana Daugherty-Klonowski).



"I'm Dave in Berea. Got this 24 inch steelhead on a jig and maggots around the corner from the Emerald Necklace Marina" (photo courtesy of Dave).




Jimmy has been catching some quality steelhead at the Emerald Necklace Marina (photos courtesy of Jimmy Miranda).




John went just down the hill from his work (he manages the Burntwood Tavern in North Olmsted and has been a longtime supporter of local fishing efforts) and had a great morning on the Rocky River on tuesday, landing fiver steelhead above a riffle using minnows ans eggs on a size 10 hook (photos courtesy of John Burkhart).




Bob and his neighbor Pat got some nice rainbow trout at Wallace Lake on Saturday (photos courtesy of Bob Hoboda).



Joyce caught a feisty steelhead this week (photo courtesy of Joyce Smith).



Carl caught a pair of Wallace Lake trout this week-  a brook trout and a rainbow (photo courtesy of Carl Schweisthal).




Brad has enjoyed the mild winter, nit only finding quantities of eager steelhead in the rivers, but also quality (photos courtesy of Brad Gardener).









Nick and Alex (pictured) had a banner day at Wallace Lake on Monday, landing a whopping 39 trout between them, including 2 golden rainbows!  They kept a combined limit of 6 and released the rest (photos courtesy of Nick Zarzeczny).




The Fly and Jig Trading Post at the Rocky River Nature Center has been a fun project to enveil.  The Center is located at 24000 Valley Parkway in North Olmsted and is open Monday-Sunday from 9:30am-5:00pm (closed Saturdays).





Cleveland Fishing Company did up some custom garb to sponsor the St Ignatius HS Fishing Club, but has also made the gear available for general sale.  The company also donates 5% of profits annually back to the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund (photos courtesy Cleveland Fishing Co.).