January 26, 2023

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  The Rocky and Chagrin rivers rose overnight but if we don't get too much additional precipitation and melt off after today conditions could be in good shape by the weekend.  Anglers can monitor the most recent river water level and temperature at the following links: <Rocky River flow gauge data><Chagrin River flow gauge data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. Trout were stocked at five locations in mid December and ice is gone from our local lakes and ponds.

Area stream levels rose overnight from rain and melt-off but if we don't get too much additional precipitation after today conditions could be in good shape by the weekend.  You can use the links above to stay abreast of the latest trend in flow before heading out to the river.  Anglers in the current stained water conditions are doing well drifting larger nickel to quarter size brightly colored spawn bags and jigs and larger flies in contrasting colors, such as a black with bright orange or pink headed Egg Sucking Leech fly pattern.  The size of the larger fish continues to be outstanding this year, with quite a few steelhead exceeding 30 inches in length in the mix (as evidenced in the images below).  A good number of steelhead have migrated well upstream in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers, with fish being well distributed throughout the watersheds.  Smaller stream such as Euclid Creek at Wildwood Park and Porter Creek in Huntington Reservation, as well as creeks feeding into the larger rivers (such as Tinker's Creek in Bedford), are also producing some steelhead. As lake conditions permit some steelhead may still be found off the breakwall at E55th Marina and off the rocks at Edgewater Park.  In the colder water, baits drifted under floats, such as marabou jig tipped with a minnow or a nightcrawlers, have the edge over casting hardware.

In mid December our first round scheduled winter trout stockings took place. This stockings 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 are 1 lb rainbow trout, but a good number of brook, brown, golden rainbow and even some trophy tiger trout (more on this below) are in the mix. A few 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 often 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. Our lakes are offering open water fishing opportunities after being ice covered only a week ago.  The second (and final) round of winter trout stocking is tentaively scheduled to take place next week (contingent on winter weather).

OCBS Steelhead Workshop is Tonight! (FREE).  On Thursday January 26 the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders will be hosting the popular annual Steelhead Workshop at the Emerald Necklace Marina Cafe on the Rocky River (1400 Scenic Park Dr. in Lakewood) from 7:30-9:30 PM.  All are welcome to this free event and the format will be a variety of self-paced info stations with steelhead focused topics such as fly tying, spawn bag tying, various technique focused tables, and even ice fishing for steelhead (I'll personally be hosting this one).  There is something for anglers of all skill levels and food and drinks will be available for purchase.  Come join us after work or to warm up after a winter day on the river.

CMNH Trout Club "Fly Master of Cleveland" Event on January 28 (FREE).  The Cleveland Museum of Natural History Trout Club is hosting a fly tying event Saturday, January 28 from 7-9 PM at Gormley's Pub (19500 Center Ridge Rd., Rocky River 44116).  Participants will receive a bag of mystery tying materials and need to create a fly of their own design.  Flies will be judged and 3 top creations selected will receive prizes.  The tier of what is judged the best fly will be named the "Fly Master of Cleveland"!  No charge and open to everyone, and spectators are welcome.  Tiers need to bring vise and tools.  Registration is required to participate as a tier and can be done  <here>.

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 already covered.

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