October 15, 2020

In autumn the steelhead trout are the highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams. The Rocky River has dropped in level and is clearing following recent rain, and weekend conditions will be dependant upon how much more rain we recieve.  To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  Lake Erie anglers are primarily targeting steelhead and walleye along the shoreline and the Ohio & Erie Canal was stocked with rainbow trout and channel catfish last week (details below).

The Rocky River is dropping in level and has stain and weekend conditions will be dependant on how much more rain we recieve.  Lots of anglers by the marina were hooking relatively few steelhead yesterday, indicating that the fish that had been staging there likely migrated upstream with the bump in flow.  There are lots of emerald shiners and small gizzard shad in the marina area.  Anglers further upstream would be wise to target deeper holes and drift dime size spawn bags ans small jigs tipped with maggots under a float.  The Cleveland Lakefront steelhead bite contnues to be hot this week, with many catches reported by anglers.  Productive spots are off the rocks at Edgewater and breakwall/rocks at E55th/E72nd areas, as well as at Wildwood Park.  Casting a spoon (ie 2/5 oz Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie 1/8 oz Vibrax or RoosterTail), or drifting a 1/32 or 1/64 oz marabou jig tipped with a waxworm or a few maggots under a sensitive float, at these locations are a good bet for connecting with a steelhead trout.  Check out the second half of this <Cleveland Metroparks video> to learn how anglers can target lakefront steelhead.  These lakefront areas are producing walleye after dark, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well. 

Some anglers are pursuing white perch and yellow perch at E55th breakwall and Edgewater Park.  These fish can bite well on bits of worms, waxworm or small minnow fished on the bottom on a crappie rig.  Bluegill (and other panfish), largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum, northern pike and channel catfish can also be found in the diverse fishery along the Cleveland shoreline in early fall and can be caught on offerings such as tube jigs, dropshot rigs and live bait. 

Last Wednesday we stocked 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout and 600 lbs of channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street despite the annual Fall Family Fishing Fest being cancelled due to the pandemic.  The trout average 1 lb each and the catfish average 2 lbs, but we included a handful of trophy trout and a few albino catfish to spice things up.  Most folks reported a slow bite for the trout this past week, but witnessed plenty of trout swirling and jumping, so expect these fish to start feeding well any day now as they become acclimated to their new environment.  For basic tips and techniques on fishing for these fish check out a <Facebook Live> segment offered by my colleague Faruq from Youth Outdoors.  If you are happy catching either species you can try a nightcrawler worm or peice of shrimp fished on the canal bottom.

Photo Release Waivers are now Required for Fishing Blog Photos (and are fast and easy to complete online).  Photo release waivers are now required for any fishing blog photos where individuals are identifiable.  The good news is it only has to be done one time per person (and then it's good for any subsequent photos) and there's a super easy and secure online form to do it through Smart Waiver that takes only about 30 seconds to complete.  So please use this link to complete the waiver if you send in any images for there report: <Smart Waiver link>.  Sorry for the slight inconvenience and THANK YOU for all who have contributed in the past to make this report a fun and personal offering!

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

 

David just got into steelhead fishing and already caught his first two in the Rocky River (photo courtesy of David White).



Daniel caught this northern pike while fishing the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie from his kayak (photo courtesy of Daniel Coon).



Chase caught this bruiser steelhead in the Rocky River on Sunday (photo courtesy of Chase Mcilwaine).



Tony caught this 12" slab crappie while steelhead fishing a local pier on Sunday (photo courtesy of Tony Modic).



Mike caught this gorgeous steelhead trolling the CLE shoreline (photo courtesy of Mike Hydzik).



Cleveland Metroparks unveiled a new amenity for Lakefront anglers.  We talk about that, as well as catching steelhead along the shoreline at this link: <Facebook Live segment>.  A live steelhead and northern pike make an appearance in the video, as well!



Jeffrey caught his first steelhead of the season this week (photo courtesy of Jeffrey Schimelpfenig).




Greg caught a super chunky steelhead casting a purple and silver spoon from shore at Edgewater Park (photos courtesy of Greg Somerlot).



Owen was casting for steelhead along the shoreline at E72nd on Sunday morning when this bonus smallmouth bass grabbed his spoon (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhert).



Jason displays a CLE lakefronmt walleye caught after dark (photo courtesy of Jason Blakeney).



Mike shows off a monster steelhead caught trolling the CLE shoreline (photo courtesy of Mike Ruffo).



Jake was casting a spinner in the Cuyahoga River WAY upstream of the former dam in Brecksville when he was surprised by this walleye, indicating that fish are already benefitting from the recent dam removal (photo courtesy of Jake Gruse).







Brad had a great outing trolling assoreted crankbaits (pictured) for steelhead along the Cleveland lakefront (photos courtesy of Brad Gardner).



Greg shows off a fine Rocky River steelhead (photo courtesy of Greg Palka).



Ken shared "I managed to fish on Monday, the first time out since April. I didn’t see anything for at least 1.5 hours and then went to a spot where there was more current. I caught this  24” hen on a red and white pulse jig tipped with a Gulp chartreuse waxworm. She jumped 5 times, blistering run and almost cut me off on the rocks. Feels good to be fishing again. I’m working on 2 books, so fishing is a sanity check. Nice to see your wonderful report once again." (photo courtesy of Ken Stein).






Ted reports that steelehad are biting at Edgewater Park as well as the lower Rocky River on spoons and nightcrawler dangled under a float (photos courtesy of Ted Choukalas).



Billy caught this pretty hen steelie in the Rock recently.  The fallen sycamore leaves remind us that fall is upon us! (photo courtesy of Billy Szabo).



The Joe Thomas Steelhead Challenge is here again!  Listen to the message from Joe <here> (video courtesy og Joe Thomas and Cleveland Fishing Co).