***The Fishing Report Blog is updated every Thursday*** The Rocky and Chagrin rivers have significant ice present, but some of that is melting with the higher temperatures. In areas where anglers find open water to drift steelhead are being caught. Anglers can check the flow and temperature data at the following links:
<Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. Steelhead opportunities are available along the Cleveland lakefront and mixed trout were recently stocked at five locations (details below).
We are currently in a transitional period with conditions. River ice is melting, making for improved steelhead fishing prospects. The area around the Rocky River boat ramps is locked up with ice as of the morning of this report. These conditions look to continue early into the weekend, although things are expected to get cold again later into the weekend. Persistent anglers who found open water this week reported success drifting dime size spawn sacks, 1/64 to 1/16 oz marabou jigs tipped with maggots, and salmon egg mimmicking beads under floats. Despite not being stocked directly, steelhead are also available in the Cuyahoga River, which freezes up notably more slowly than our other streams. See some tips in the highlight section below for winter steelhead fishing.
Anglers casting off the rocks and breakwalls at Edgewater Park, E55th/E72nd, Wildwood Park and Wendy Park continue to have opportunities to catch steelhead- although the walleye bite has slowed considerably as most have migrated to the western basin of Lake Erie for winter. Casting a spoon (such as a 2/5 oz Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) are a good ways to connect with a steelhead trout that requires no more than a medium action spinning rig spooled with 8-10 lb monofilament line. A bobber with a 1/32 oz jig tipped with minnow or maggots suspend 3-6 feet below is also a good producer in the aforementioned areas. A nightcrawler suspended under a bobber on a bare hook can also work well. A longer noodle rod is best for fishing floats. Be especially careful of icy conditions along the shoreline rocks and breakwalls, with ice cleats and a long landing net being good investments. Our boat ramps currently have varying degrees of ice present.
Our smaller lakes and ponds are covered with a thin layer of ice. On Friday December 17th and Tuesday December 21st we conducted our first round (of two) scheduled winter trout stockings. This consisted of a total of 3,000 lbs of trout distributed as follows: Wallace Lake (1,400 lbs), Shadow Lake (750 lbs), ledge Lake (650 lbs), Ranger Lake (100 lbs) and Judge's Lake (100 lbs). The majority of the fish were 1-1.5 lb rainbow trout, but a good number of brook, brown, golden rainbow and even some trophy tiger trout (a brown trout x brook trout hybrid) in the mix. A fair number of trout remain at Ohio & Erie Canal from stocking in October.
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. The trout can bite well on colorful dime size balls of Power Bait dough, a waxworm ot two on a small marabou or tube jig and jigging spoons. For the time being anglers can target these trout through the still unsafe ice from docks and areas where the shore drops quickly into deeper water (ledges like this are common around Wallace Lake since it's an old sandstone quarry). The second (and final) round of winter trout stocking is tentatively scheduled for late this month.
Tips for Steelhead Fishing in Cold Winter Conditions. An angler emailed me recently inquiring about fishing for steelhead as the temperature drops because he was struggling. I figured the tips I shared with him could be helpful to others, as follows. A temperature plunge in winter can definitely slow things down (and usually does). But I've caught lots of steelhead through slush in rivers and ice fishing harbors, so it never really can be too cold. Here's my strategy:
- SLOW things down, fish so you are very near the bottom, and cover an area more thoroughly than you would when it's not so cold (repeated drifts through holding areas)
- Scent helps. Bait usually produces best in really cold winter conditions or can be applied to artificials
- Expect bites to be very light at times. Downsize gear accordingly and set the hook if your float or stike indicator does anything out of the ordinary at all
- Sometimes getting out after the sun warms the water a few hours can be productive
- When fishing in slushy conditions, concentrating all your slit shot within a foot of the offering can help get it down to the fish better (this is called bulk shotting) or put bait on a jighead instead of a plain hook
- The angler will fish best if comfortable. Layered clothing, a warm hat, footwear/waders with feet with space for some air and warm socks, and rag wool fingerless gloves provide some warmth even if wet. Also, a thin pair of latex or nitrile gloves can even help yet dexterity remains.
Photo Release Waivers for Fishing Blog Photos (fast and easy to complete online). Photo release waivers for photos sent in for the fishing report can easily be completed online through Smart Waiver (takes only about 30 seconds to complete) at the following link:
<Smart Waiver link>. You only need to do this one time and any future additional photos submitted are covered too.
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
Vicky was fishing at E55th breakwall with her husband this week when this steelhead hit a nightcrawler 3 feet under a float right off the wall (photo courtesy of Aaron Blanchard).
Joe shared yesterday "
This beautiful steelhead from Rocky River came on the subtle swing in VERY chilly 32 degree water. The trusty Browns orange fly did the trick!" (photo courtesy of Joe Varcelli).
Brian was fishing through the thin ice at Wallace Lake from the safety of a sandstone ledge and was rewarded with a colorful brook trout (photos courtesy of Brian Ailor).
Congratulations to Jared on catching one of his first steelhead on his new centerpin reel from the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Jared Kassouf).
Despite the icy conditions father and son Brian and Zach found some dandy Rocky River steelhead this week (photos courtesy of Brian Zaptrocky).
Aaron was persistent and found a willing steelhead on the Rocky River yesterday (photo courtesy of Aaron J.).
The open water perch fishing is likely done for the season, but in the interviw at the link I discuss tips for finding perch in our area from fall through early winter:
<Fall Perch Strategy>. Additionally, a modest number of perch come into local harbor areas through mid winter if we get good ice this year.
Just when I think I've seen it all something surprises me. Here we have two folks swimming among the winter steelhead anglers at Rockcliff Springs on the Rocky River yesterday (photo courtesy of Aaron J.).
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.