February 25, 2021

Ice on our lakes is degrading rapidly with the warming trend, and looking at the forecast this is going to continue.  During this transitional period ice anglers should closely monitor ice conditions and it's best to just stay off the lakes at this point.  Rivers will beging breaking up and ice jams and flooding are likely in the coming week. 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 can contine pursuing them through the degrading ice from the safety of docks and from shore where there are drop-offs.
 
With the warming trend ice is degrading rapidly and ice fisherrs should exercise extreme caution.  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 small to medium size jigging spoons, a small marabou or tube jig tipped with a waxworm or a few maggots, salmon eggs and live minnows.. 

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.

Lake Erie harbors at Edgewater and E72nd boat ramps, E55th Marina and Wildwood Marina offer ice fishing opportunities (for a few more days) for steelhead and the occasional northern pike, yellow perch and sunfish.  Complicating matter in these areas are an abundance of gizzard shad baitfish- what is good for the fish is not always good for the angler!  The same baits used for steelhead in the rivers and stocked trout in the lakes work here.  Just expect an amazing fight from these supersized trout on a short, medium action ic erod with 6-8 lb monofilament line!  Anglers should stay off river ice at this point as it will degrade most rapidly.  And never venture onto ice on the open waters of Cleveland on Lake Erie!

The Rocky River and other area streams are in a transitional period during this thaw.  Expect river ice to begin breaking up and forming ice jams (ice dams), and being near the river can be  dangerous situation when these give way due to pressure from rising water levels.

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
 

It is no longer safe, but anglers like Mikale had been ice fishing the Rocky River by the marina and catching a few steelhead (photios courtesy of Mikale Mosack).




On Monday Nick got a few yellow perch ice fishing in a protected Cleveland arewa harbor (photos courtesy of Nick Kosiba).



Ross always seems to find a quality steelhead out on the streams.  Expect stream ice to break up and water levels to increase with melt-off this week (photo courtesy of Ross Bailey).



David caught a fat hen steelhead by the marina before ice started degrading this week (photo courtesy of David Bowser).








A few nice yellow perch and steelhead were caught at protected harbors along the CLE shoreline.  Unfortunately, the ice is degrading quickly with the warm weather.