September 28, 2023

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***   As the days get cooler into early fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include steelhead, smallmouth bass, carp, panfish, and channel catfish. 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>.  Lake Erie anglers are primarily targeting walleye and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.
 
A decent number of steelhead are starting to make an appearance in our northernmost river sections closer to Lake Erie (the Rocky River marina area is one such spot) as well as around the rocks at Edgewater, E55th, and Wildwood parks.  Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with an early steelhead trout. These same areas are also producing a few walleye after dark as the temperature cools, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well.
 
Some fair catches of white perch and yellow perch have turned up along the shoreline at E55th breakwall and Wendy Park at the old Coast Guard station. They have been biting on bits of worms or small minnows fished on the bottom on a crappie rig. The best bite is often in the morning and late afternoon. Largemouth bass and rock bass are also available in nearshore areas.
 
In addition to early returning steelhead, anglers are pursuing a mix of warmwater species in the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers. Smallmouth bass are the most sought after among them and bite best at the heads of deeper pools. A dark olive or brown tube jig 3-4" length (used with tube jig head, ned rig or drop shotted) is one of the best producers of bass in the river.  "Smallies" also bite well on live bait, including minnows, crayfish, and leeches. Channel catfish, common carp and panfish are among a host of other species also available in local streams.
 
Anglers at our inland lakes and ponds are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish. Wallace Lake, Ledge Lake, Shadow Lake, Strawberry Pond, and Beyer's Pond are just a few other spots worth poking around in late summer.
 
Fall Family Fishing Fest will be held Saturday October 14. Come out and join us for Fall Family Fishing Fest at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation on Saturday October 14th from 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. This event is free and we will have a limited number of fishing poles to loan out, as well as bait. We will be stocking 600 lbs of channel catfish and 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout at the Ohio & Erie Canal in anticipation of the event. Although anglers of any age can participate, prizes in several categories will be reserved for kids 15 years old and under. And all attendees will be eligible for the grand drawing of a walleye fishing trip with dog Pound Charters (must be present to win). Thank you to Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders for supporting this great event with grant funds.
 
Hinckley Lake Drawdown Plans.  In a long anticipated project, Hinckley Lake has been closed for an extended dam repair and dredging project. The lake is not scheduled to reopen until 2026. More information is available in this <article>.
 
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


 

Congratulations to 17 year old Cooper Taucher on catching his first steelhead ever this past Friday.  He was casting a Little Cleo spoon by the Rocky River Marina (photo courtesy of Ken Harper).





Fred shared from the Chagrin River “My fishing buddy/coworker/new best friend Kevin Bjerre (top photo and I have been try all week to land our first (Kevin’s first ever!) chrome of the season! My buck was a new PB and a Fish Ohio coming in at 28.5” and 10.5lbs! PS. Come visit us at Kate’s Fish in the Westside Market!!!” (photos courtesy of Fred Sandoval).




Proud father Brian shared yesterday “Vinny caught 2 smallmouth bass today after school in the Rocky River on his fly rod. Luckily his homework was done” (photo courtesy of Brian Digioia).





Aiden had a great week on the Chagrin River, scoring a surprise pink salmon and a nice resident smallmouth bass on spinners (photos courtesy of Aidan Williams).




Brent also caught a male pink salmon this week. The males have the characteristic humped back as evidenced in the photo above (photo courtesy of Brent O’Neill).






It is certainly a banner year for stray pink salmon on our streams!  Dan must hold some kind of unofficial record catching THREE pink salmon on spoons in the Rocky River yesterday! The thin fish without hump back is a female and the other two are males. He released the all (photos courtesy of Dan Vitou).





John caught two steelhead on crankbaits by the Rocky River Marina on Sunday (photos courtesy of John Zupan).








Wes continued to make some great catches of yellow perch off Rocky River and Cleveland on Lake Erie.  He was using half a frozen emerald shiner per hook on his bottom rig (photos courtesy of Wes Janke).







Chuck is fully appreciated the early fall fisheries bounty of our region. This week he caught steelhead and largemouth bass on the lower Rocky River and walleye from the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie (photos courtesy of Chuck Naujoks).




The steelhead returning this year are healthy and full of fight! (photo courtesy of Ken Harper).