May 21, 2020

In late-spring smallmouth bass, stocked trout, channel catfish and walleye are among the highlight species that anglers pursue.  We have rain in the forecast leading into the weekend so wise anglers will check river conditions at the following links before heading to the streams: <Rocky River flow gauge data><Chagrin River flow gauge data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.

Area streams are muddy today with more rain in the forecast.  Wise anglers should monitor flow gauge and weather information prior to heading out to fish local streams.  Prior to streams muddying from rain catches of lake-run smallmouth bass had been good in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  Smallmouth bass hit well on a 3-4" dark olive or brown tube jig, ned rigs, lures that imitate minnows (like a white and silver Rooster Tail spinner, Rapala or white rubber fluke) and live bait (minnows and crayfish).  Most of the remaining stragglers steelhead are likely hightailing it back to Lake Erie in these elevated flows.

Last Friday (May 15) we stocked 1,400 lbs of farm raised channel catfish in Wallace Lake and at the Ohio & Erie Canal.  Catfish bite baits like nightcrawlers, shrimp (raw or cooked) and chicken liver fished on or near the bottom.  We offered a <Facebook Live segment> on the Cleveland Metroparks site about catfish this week (turning up the volume will help hear this video best).  We plan to stock Shadow Lake, Ledge Lake, Judge's Lake, Ranger Lake and Oxbow Lagoon with more catfish in early summer.  These fish are purchased using donations to the <Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund>.  Additionally, local streams offer lake-run channel catfish this time of year, and E55th breakwall and wendy Park pier at the old Coast Guard Station are also great spots to hook into a catfish.

In late April 800 lbs of trout (originally scheduled for the now cancelled spring childrens fishing derbies) were stocked in Wallace Lake and the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked 1,500 trout in the Ohio & Erie Canal.  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 5/day as of May 16th). 

The breakwall at E55th, pier at Wendy Park (old Coast Guard station) and rocks/pier at Edgewater Park and E72nd offer a chance at walleye, bass (largemouth and smallmouth), steelhead and a variety of other species in early spring.  Walleye have been hitting well after dark at E55th breakwall 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 in Cleveland has been picking up when waters are not too stained from rain and waves. 

Josh Cribbs "Football" (Smallmouth Bass) Challenge.   Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Fishing Co. have teamed up to offer a contest and see who can catch the biggest "football" (slang for a fat Lake Erie-run smallmouth bass) this season!  Winner gets a hat, sun hoodie, t-shirt, and MYSTERY Josh Cribbs item to be unveiled at a later date. Think you got what it takes? Follow the rules below for a valid photo submission of your catch:

Good luck and Go Browns! #fishtheland #JoshCribbsFootballChallenge

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

On Monday David shared "My granddaughter Aurora, 8, caught this nice trout at Wallace Lake today in the rain. She’s a hardcore fisherwoman already" (photo courtesy of David Katrenick).



Jaidence caught this Wallace Lake rainbow trout without any help from his proud father (photo courtesy of Mike Petruska).




Wallace Lake is also producing some nice channel catfish, such as these caught yesterday evening on nightcrawlers (photos courtesy od Sean Johnson).




Dana and Mike had to head out 5 miles to get away from muddy water, but were rewarded with two limits of walleye caught trolling crankbaits (photos courtesy of Dana Daugherty-Klonowski).



Carson shared "First time fishing the Rocky River for smallmouth. Caught on a Googan Craw.


Scott (top) and Carl caught some nice rainbow trout in Wallace Lake this week (photos courtesy of Carl Schweisthal).



Brian caught this chunky smallmouth bass this week.  There are some great entries in the Josh Cribbs Smallmouth Bass Challenge so far- see above for contest details on entering (photo courtesy of Brian Collins).



Dave from Berea shared "Couple of Wallace Lake rainbow trout on my filet board for lunch" (photo courtesy Dave).






Dustin shared "Great fishing three days last week with quick limits. Best day was Saturday morning 5/16, key was finding clear water after all that rain. Once found I caught over twenty walleye with only two under 19 inches. Best marks were between 36 and 41 fow, with fish being suspended and on the bottom. Success was had with purple cranks 80 to 120 back (Bandit deeps with 1oz weight) and occasional fish on spoons/harnesses behind dipsys. Trolling speeds 1.6 to 1.8 mph. Home before noon. I will be updating walleye reports on Instagram @dustincarneal over the Memorial Day weekend." (photos courtesy of Dustin Carneal).




Matt caught some competitive entries for the Josh Cribbs Smallmouth Bass Challenge (photos courtesy of Matt Hendricks).




On Friday we stocked 1,400 lbs of farm raised channel catfish split equally between the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area and Wallace Lake.  Yesterday we offered a <Facebook Live segment> about catfish, including fishing for them (turn up volume to hear the video best).
 



Zakery was riding his bike along the towpath trail along the canal, and came across several common carp stranded by the recently receded flood waters (photos courtesy of Zakery Taylor).