March 5, 2020

In late winter steelhead trout are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  The Rocky and Chagrin rivers have a muddy stain but are just dropping into good fishing conditions.  Weekend fishing conditions will be dependant on how much forecasted rain and snow we recieve.  If precipitation is minimal, fishing conditions will be good.  Anglers should keep an eye on the flow data at the following link to determine conditions: <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 January, and spring stocking of the East Branch Rocky River is scheduled to begin in min-March (conditions dependant).

The Rocky and Chagrin rivers were stained muddy today but are just dropping into good fishing conditions.  There is rain and snow in the forecast and weekend steelhead fishing opportunities will be contingent on how much of that we recieve.  If it is minimal, weekend prospects will be outstanding.  Anglers should keep an eye on the flow trend at the links offered above to determine conditions (a falling or even stable flow into the weekend would be a good indicator).  Streams are offering a good mix of chrome bright fresh run steelhead and more colored, darker fish that have been in the streams for awhile already.  Steelhead are well distributed throughout our area watersheds, although greater concentrations of fresher fish are available closer to the lake.  Steelhead in stained water have been biting best on dime to nickel size spawn sacks in bright colors (hot pink and chartreuse are favorites), and as the water clears 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 will take a greater share of the fish. A nice bonus this week has been a number of trophy size steelhead of 30"+ caught by anglers (see several photos below). 

Lake-run white suckers are beginning to show up in area streams, as well.  Morley Ford just north of the Lorain Road bridge is a good sucker spot on the Rocky River.  Suckers will gobble worms or grubs/maggots fished on the river botton, as well as small jigs and flies.  Spring suckers are especially good targets for kids, less experienced anglers or folks just learning to fly fish.

Throughout winter we stocked a total of 6,000 lbs of trout between Wallace (2,800 lbs), Shadow (1,500 lbs), Ledge (1,200 lbs), Judge's (300 lbs) and Ranger (200 lbs) lakes.  Although winter trout stocking has concluded, plenty of these fish remain.  Stocked trout average a little over a pound each and 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 this time of year).   Local lakes and ponds are currently mostly ice free.  The East Branch Rocky River will begin recieving spring stockings of rainbow trout around mid March, depending on weather and stream conditions.  Stay tuned to the fishing report for updates on those stockings.

Northern Ohio Fly Fishing Expo this Saturday March 7.   This Saturday March 7th the Northern Ohio Fly Fishing Expo with be hosted by the North Coast Fly Fishers at the Holden University Center in Kirtland.  A packed schedule of presenters, vendors and demonstrations wull be offered at the event between 9:00am and 4:00pm.  Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for youth 11-17 years old, and free for active military, scouts in uniform and kids under 11 years old.  Among the presentations, I will be giving a talk highlighting Regional Warm Water Fly Fishing Opportunities from 10:15-11:15am.  More on the event here: <Northern Ohio Fly Fishing Expo>.

Fly Fishing Film Tour on Saturday March 21st.   On Saturday March 21st the popular national Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) with be hosted by the Cleveland at the Museum of Natural History (CMNH) Trout Club at the Great Lakes Science Center (the CMNH is undergoing construction this year).  Also new this year will be two showings instead of one.  Get your tickets while they last as this fun event sells out every year!  Cleveland Metroparks is a Supporting Sponsor again this year.  Proceeds support coldwater stream conservation efforts in northeast Ohio, including a restoration project on Beecher's Brook (a tributary of the Chagrin River) right here in Cleveland Metroparks.  Purchase tickets here: <F3T CLE>.

7th Annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby Fundraiser on March 28.  On Saturday March 28th we will be hosting the seventh annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby on the Rocky River.  Trophies, prizes for three largest steelhead, raffles, and a cookout are all part of the day's festivities for this fun event where anglers must fish for steelhead with a kiddie fishing pole!  For the second year in a row we will be offering a children's division, as well. Lead organizers Mark Warren and Greg Young and the rest of the coordinating team have already rounded up an amazing list of prizes and <sponsors>  and they are still adding to them weekly!  Proceeds from the fundraiser event go to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund.  A <website> has been set up for the event, as well as a Facebook page.  PLEASE NOTE: The event headquarters has been moved to South Mastic Woods Picnic Area (immediately south of the Putritas Road bridge), a more central location on the Rocky River that offers almost twice the space.  Don't miss this fun event for a great cause!

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

Nick shared "Hey wanted to show off my PB steelhead I caught last weekend. Never been on the fishing report so it's a great way to start off. Caught on pink egg sac, 25 inches long" (photo courtesy of Nick Castillo).



Brad Stefanski caught his first steelhead ever while fly fishing the Chagrin River on Sunday (photo courtesy of Brian Tighe).



George caught a hefty Wallace Lake rainbow trout on Monday (photo courtesy of Elmer Garcia).






It has been one of the best weeks for trophy 30"+ steelhead that I can ever remember on the Rocky River!  I present Exhibits A through D above to back up that claim as  offered by Ed, Jimmy, Michael and Josh (photos courtesy of Ed Webb, Jimmy Met, Michael Duncan and Josh Zabor).




Ken had a good week on the Rocky and shared "I caught several on a purple-headed and purple bodied Pulse jig that is probably 9 years old.  It seemed like the addition of a Phantom white troutworm made all of the difference." (photos courtesy of Ken Stein).




Tony landed 4 steelhead on the Cuyahoga River on Sunday, topped by a 28" fish (photos courtesy of Tony Cilluffo).



A beautiful heavily spotted Wallace Lake rainbow trout (photo courtesy of Bill Szabo).







Shaun submitted some nice photos and a great story about a trophy fish this week, as follows "Had a great fishing day last Saturday. Caught 6 steelhead and lost 3. One fish I lost was big and gave me a good fight. Just as I reeled it on land and thinking it was tired, I went to grab it but it escaped into river breaking my line. Last Sunday was slow fishing and I was frustrated with the wind and thought about leaving early. I lost 3 fish then finally I had a big hit to my suprise it was the big steelhead that got away yesterday breaking my line! I knew it was the same fish because the orange jighead was still in its mouth (see picture of the steelhead with 2 jighead hooks in it mouth). How's that for a good fish story?! Luckily I take pictures and video so no one thinks I'm bluffing. Lol Best of all it measured 31" (photos courtesy of Shaun Cassidy).




Lake Erie-run white suckers are beginning to show up in local streams, such as the Chagrin (where these came from) and the Rocky (photos courtesy of Jeff Merriman).






Bo, Greg, Nick and Shawn were among those who got in on the great fishing on the Rocky and Chagrin rivers this week (photos courtesy of Dave "Bo" Bowser, Greg Johnson, Nick Zarzeczny and Shawn Kemp).







Brandon went 13 for 19 on the Rocky River on Saturday and hooked up 4 guys he met visiting from out of town with his homemade jigs and they landed 50 fish for the day as a group! (photos courtesy of Brandon Allen).









Sean and his buddy Maco had a great Monday on the Rocky River.  The jigs pictured worked well for them (photos courtesy of Sean Perron).



Photographer Bill Britt captured a snowy scene of an angler by the Nature Center ford.  If you like snow enjoy the next few weeks because spring is coming! (photo courtesy of Bill Britt at BDTimaging.com ).