January 2, 2020

In winter steelhead trout are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  Stream levels have fluctuated with rain and snowmelt this week, but the Rocky River is currently in excellent shape for steelhead fishing.  There is lots of precipitation forecasted into the weekend, though, and wise anglers will 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 in mid-December, as well, to expand winter fishing options.

Local streams have dropped into great shape for steelhead fishing this morning following the rain and snow-melt this week.  There is quite a bit of precipitation in the forecast into this weekend so wise anglers will keep an eye on the river flows at the links above.  Overall, there have been lots of anglers with time off around the holidays out enjoying the mild weather.  The steelhead bite picked up the past 24 hours as stream levels dropped and began clearing, especially in the northern reaches such as by the Rocky River marina.  The entire main branch of the Rocky River (from Cedar Point Road bridge north) is worth exploring at this time.  The Chagrin river in North Chagrin Reservation as well as the Cuyahoga River at the Rt 82 dam in Brecksville have also been producing steelhead catches.  Steelhead can be caught on dime to nickel size spawn sacks, live (or salted frozen) minnows and small marabou jigs tipped with maggots drifted near the river bottom under a float.  Increased flows throughout winter will allow fresh steelhead to continue trickling into local streams following a fairly slow fall season.

On Monday December 16 & 17 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.  The size of the trout averages about a pound and a half each, although there are a few trophy fish between 3-6 pounds mixed in.  Along with the predominantly standard rainbow trout are fair number of colorful golden rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout (see photos below).  The second (and final) round of winter trout will go into the same lakes around mid to late January or early February. 

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).  The ice is gone on our inland lakes and ponds at this time.  Fishing pressure has been especially heavy at Wallace Lake this week and the bite has become more difficult, with better reports coming from Shadow and Ledge lakes.

Steelhead are an option for anglers from the rocks and breakwalls along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie at E55th breakwall, Edgewater Park, Gordon Park at E72nd, Wendy Park pier at the old Coast Guard station and Wildwood Park breakwall/pier.  Overall, the shore bite for steelhead has slowed over the past two weeks. Casting a spoon (such as a 2/5 oz Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations offers a shot at connecting with a steelhead trout and requires no more than a medium action spinning rig spooled with 8-10 lb monofilament line.  A bobber with a 1/32 or 1/16 oz jig tipped with minnow or maggots or simply a nightcrawler on a bare hook suspended 3-6 feet below is also a good producer in the aforementioned areas.  A longer noodle rod is best for fishing floats and a long handle net is required to land fish safely along the lakefront.  The big schools of walleye off Cleveland have largely moved to deeper water (52') and west of the city at this time.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History Trout Club Fly Tying Free-for-All.  The Cleveland Museum of Natural History Trout Club is hosting a Fly Tying Free-for-All on Wednesday, January 8, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Museum.  There will be several stations set up with a variety of fly tying demonstrations going on.  You can come and observe or feel free to bring tools and materials and tie your own favorite patterns. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is requested.  This can be done from the Trout Club webpage: www.cmnh.org/troutclub

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
 

Steve and his buddy Anthony (top image) caught their limits of trout at Shadow Lake on New Years Day.  They were using Mepps copper spinners and Power Bait (photos courtesy of Steve Fraley).



Daniel shared on Saturday "My nephew Danny and his son Joey were in town from Fort Eustis, Virginia. Rocky River was low and clear but Joey managed to land this Steelhead." photo courtesy of Daniel Zukie).



Mark shared "Caught at the Ohio Erie Canal at 49th and Grant Ave.  21 inch 4 pounds on maggots and an ultra-lite rod.  Wow! It took a good 5 mins to wear him out." (photo courtesy of Mark Cwalina).



Adam headed out to Wallace Lake with his kayak Monday and caught this nice black crappie (photo courtesy of Adam Eibling).



Jason shared "Hey Mike, got this one Saturday about noon. It's my biggest steelhead yet. Caught on orange head black body jig tipped with maggots. 30 inches new personal record." (photo courtesy of Jason Williamson). 



Cleveland Metroparks registered fishing guide Monte Casey shared "Wisconsin fly fisherman, Jake White was hoping to catch his 1st Ohio steelhead from the Rocky River. Knowing it’s been tough fishing on Rocky so far, Jake’s bar was not set high, he would be happy to land just one. Jake exceeded his goal by landing three." (photo courtesy of Monte Casey at www.steelheadguide.com ).



Jimmy caught this fine buck steelhead in the Cuyahoga River this week (photo courtesy of Sam Horn).



Jason shared "I caught this 26 inch steelhead on the Rocky River with a red head white zonker (that I tied myself) mon 1/1/2020" (photo courtesy of Joe Springelmeyer).





Tony started out New Years Day in excellent form, landing 3 steelhead in the Cuyahoga River.  He caught them on homemade marabou jigs tipped with Gulp maggots (photos courtesy of Tony Cilluffo).





Alex and Nick had a good week, catching a limit of Wallace Lake trout and some Rocky River steelhead (photos courtesy of Nick Zarzeczny).





Greg took his buddy David (from Wadsworth) and his son Adam steelhead fishing for the first time ever on the Rocky River on New Years Day and, as the photos illustrate, the mission was a success (photos courtesy of Greg Johnson).



Steve caught a fresh chrome steelhead from his kayak on the Rocky River this week (photo courtesy of Steve Crowe).





Christian landed some nice steelhead on jigs in the Chagrin River, icluding his 30" personal best fish caught on a glow in the dark jig (photos courtesy of Christian Parker).



On Suday Carmen caught 5 steelhead in the Chagrin River despite low and clear water conditions.  He caught the fish on Slick Willy Jigs (photo courtesy of Carmen Colagiovanni).





Quite a few fresh steelhead have been lurking around the Rocky River Marina feeding on the abundant emerald shiners.



Elizabeth displays her first fish of 2020, a beautifully colored hen steelhead (which was released after the photo).





On Saturday I was invited on Dana and Mike Daugherty's boat to chase walleye off Cleveland.  Above are just a few from our catch, including the big fish of the day.  We were trolling a variety of crankbaits in 52 feet of water by the Cleveland Crib water intake for suspended fish.