In winter steelhead trout are the highlight species targeted by anglers in area rivers. The Rocky River and other streams are currently exhibiting low flow and clear water conditions with significant areas covered by ice and slush. 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>. Note: river flow readings can show inconsistencies due to ice and slush interference. Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Ranger and Judge's lakes have been stocked with a combined 3,000 lbs of trout in recent weeks (see details below) and anglers are pursuing them on the ice.
The Rocky River and other area streams are filling up with ice and slush and open water is getting more limited by the day. Still, open water can be found- especially on the Cuyahoga River. Fish are concentrated in the slow, deep holes and are biting smaller spawn sacks, salmon egg mimicking beads and soft rubber eggs (8-12 mm), small (1/32-1/64 oz) jigs tipped with maggots or live minnows under a float catch the most fish, as do nymph and streamer flies. Repeated drifts through the same pool are often the norm to entice lethargic cold water steelhead into biting. As a winter tip, a little Chapstick applied to the rod guides can help with ice build-up.
On January 27 we stocked 1,500 lbs of trout at Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (600 lbs) and Judge's (150 lbs) lakes. These complement the 1,400 lbs stocked on January 21 in Wallace Lake and 100 lbs in Ranger Lake. These add to the total of 6,000 lbs of trout stocked in these 5 lakes since mid December and concludes our winter trout stocking. The majority of the fish were 1-1.5 lb rainbow trout, but a good number of brook, brown, golden rainbow and trophy rainbow trout were in the mix. A few trout remain at Ohio & Erie Canal from stocking in October, as well.
Note: the daily limit at Wallace, Ledge, Ranger and Judge's lakes is 3 trout/angler and the limit at Shadow Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal is 5 trout/angler. Winter trout often bite well on smal to medium size jigging spoons, a small marabou or tube jig tipped with a waxworm or a few maggots, salmon eggs and live minnows..
Angler shave been ice fishing for tout on all the recently stocked lakes mentioned above. Most state conservation agencies recommend at least 4" of solid clear (not cloudy) ice before anglers should venture out to ice fish, and in Cleveland Metroparks it is the angler's responsibility to check that. One method is to use a spud bar near shore and check the ice thickness, and if it is
> 4 inches then walk out a little further and check again. Ice is often thinnest right at the water's edge and around inlets and outlets of the waterbody. A pair of emergency ice picks held at the ready on a cord around the neck are are a safety must, as is bringing a length of rope. A floating "survival suit" is something you may consider, as well. Other safety tips are to always fish with a friend, let someone know where you'll be, and focus on areas near where other anglers are already fishing.
Photo Release Waivers for Fishing Blog Photos (fast and easy to complete online). Photo release waivers can easily be completed online through Smart Waiver (takes only about 30 seconds to complete) at the following link:
<Smart Waiver link>.
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
Note: The fishing report is updated monthly in June, July, and August and weekly every other month
***Note: All photo submissions must first complete the Cleveland Metroparks photo waiver.***
2024 Cleveland Metroparks Registered Fishing Guides
(name, company, contact)
- #24-001 Gareth Thomas, Alley Grabs Guide Service, [email protected] (216) 235-5056
- #24-002 Jeff Liskay, Great Lakes Flyfishing LLC, [email protected] (440) 781-7536
- #24-003 Monte Casey, The Steelhead Guide, (440) 773-8064 www.steelheadguide.com
- #24-004 Anthony Montagnese, Covered Bridge Outfitters, [email protected] (440) 320-105
- #24-005 Lucas Smith, What That Vise Do LLC, [email protected] (724) 841-1564
- #24-006 Nicholas DelVecchio, Wildwood Outfitters, [email protected] (724) 433-2315
- #24-007 Nate Miller, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com (440) 796-6105
- #24-008 Jim Lampros, [email protected] (216) 513-6011
More information on Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Guide Permit requirements, including the permit application, you may check the following link:
<Fishing Guide Permit Program>
Learn how you can support recreation opportunities through a donation to the Cleveland Metroparks
Fishing Fund.