March 2, 2023

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***   The Rocky Rivers is just approaching good flow level but the situation may be short lived with significant rain in the forecast tomorrow.  Anglers should 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>.  The second and final round of winter trout stockings took place in early February (see details below).

Areas rivers have been elevated and muddy but the Rocky River is just approaching a good flow level.  Unfortunately this may be a short lived scenario as significant rain is in the forecast for tomorrow.  When the stream levels do recede and clear excellent steelhead fishing opportunities can be expected and anglers can visit the links above to stay abreast of the latest trend in flow.  In stain water conditions a nickel to quarter size brightly colored spawn sack (hot pink and chartreuse are favorites) drifted near the river bottom is hard to beat.  As waters further clear top offerings include a variety of offerings, including smaller dime size spawn bags (in varied colors), 1/32 and 1/64 oz marabou/hair/tube jigs tipped with a few waxworms or maggots, soft or hard salmon egg size beads, and live and salted emerald shiners- all drifted under a float.   A good number of steelhead have migrated well upstream in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers, as well as others streams, with fish being well distributed throughout the watersheds.  The Cuyahoga River, Euclid Creek and other unstocked streams are also offering fishable numbers of stray steelhead at this time.

In early February we stocked Wallace (1,400 lbs),and Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (650 lbs), Ranger (100 lbs), and Judge's (100 lbs) lakes with the second (and final) round of winter trout.  These stocking locations and quantities are a duplication of the 3,000 lbs of trout stocked back in mid-December.  The majority of the fish are 1 lb rainbow trout, but a good  number of golden rainbow, brown, brook, and even some tiger trout and another sigle albino brook trout (stocked at Wallace Lake). 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.  Our lakes are offering open water fishing again and the trout often bite well on colorful dime size balls of Power Bait dough, a waxworm or two on a small marabou or tube jig, and jigging spoons.  Spring stocking of the East Branch of the Rocky River will begin around mid-March.
 
Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby is back on Saturday April 1^st and ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!  The always popular Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby is back this year and scheduled for Saturday April 1st.  Cleveland Metroparks will be leading the event and Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders (a non-profit) will be hosting the raffle.  Trophies for three largest steelhead, raffles, and a cookout are all part of the day's festivities for this fun event where anglers must fish for steelhead with a kiddie fishing pole!  100% of proceeds from the fundraiser event go to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund.  The event headquarters will be at South Mastic Woods Picnic Area (immediately south of the Putritas Road bridge), a central location on the Rocky River that offers lots of space.  Mark your calendars for this fun event for a great cause!  More on the event and register online here: <Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby info page>.  You can save $5 versus the day of the event ($30 vs $35) by registering for the Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby online.

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

Mitch displays a colorful Wallace lake rainbow trout (photos courtesy of Brad Geduldig).




Tony shared “I caught this chunky Hen recently in a local River on a 1/4 oz. Blue Roostertail.” (photo courtesy of Tony Modic).




Wes shared “Had fun fishing with pops over the weekend at Ledge. He landed this golden while doing some dock jigging.: (photo courtesy of Wes Bombik).





Ken shared the following observation and tip “I was fishing a long stretch of popularly-fished water upstream, before sunrise on Tuesday, using Rapalas at the tailout of a large run. The fish were rolling for no more than a half-hour. I caught one before they shut down. Just for the heck of it, I moved to the very top of the run (below the feeding pool) and was surprised to see large numbers of steelhead swimming in the shallows (sandy/rocky area). I didn’t think I’d get a hit on a 2” lure in the low and clear water but landed a 27” buck! I guess the thing that surprised me was how many fish were in the fast water when the water temperature was only 40 degrees.” (photos courtesy of Ken Stein).









Brad shared some of his better quality fish from the past week, including 3 over 30 inches.  All were taken on jigs (photos courtesy of Brad Gardner).







Matt shared “Really did some damage on the Chagrin this weekend. 19 fish landed, well over 40 hooked. Jig bite was hot.” (photos courtesy of Mat Ohly).