August 2024

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May and monthly from June-August*** As we move into late summer highlight species targeted around Cleveland Metroparks include walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, panfish, channel catfish, and common carp. 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>. Please note: the Fishing Blog is updated once a month in June, July, and August and back to weekly in September.
 
Summer means family fishing time for many folks, and panfish fit the bill perfectly for a leisurely picnic and fishing outing. Bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed and other sunfish species can be taken with a number of offerings, but a waxworm or redworm on a small hook (or tiny jig) suspended under a stick float and fished around a weedbed or shoreline brush is always a good choice. Wallace Lake, Shadow Lake, Strawberry Pond and Lakefront Reservation are just a few of many places in the parks to wet a line for various panfish species. Early mornings and dusk are typically better times to fish during the heat of summer. Largemouth bass fishing is worth a look at Wallace and Hinckley lakes, as well at in Lake Erie harbors, although they are present in all park waters.
 
Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the Rocky and Chagrin rivers during the day in summer, and often move to the heads of such pools in the early morning and evening hours to feed actively. A dark olive or brown tube jig of 3-4" length, other lures/flies that imitate minnows or crayfish, and live bait are all offerings that can catch smallmouth. Rock bass are also present in the same river areas as smallmouth, and can be caught using the same offerings.
 
Channel catfish and large carp are also found in the rivers in summer and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water. On June 18, a total of 1,600 lbs of farm raised channel catfish were stocked between Shadow Lake (500 lbs), Ledge Lake (200 lbs), Strawberry Pond (300 lbs), Oxbow Lagoon (300 lbs), Judge’s Lake (200 lbs), and Ranger Lake (100lbs). Channel catfish stocked in late May also remain to be caught at Wallace Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area. Catfish often bite best during the evening using baits such as nightcrawlers, raw shrimp, chicken liver, and processed dough baits.
 
Carp can be found throughout local rivers in summer, as well. Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails. The key to fishing for either carp or catfish is fishing on (or very near) the river/lake bottom. In addition, freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch, and bullhead catfish are also abundant in the northern river reaches (north of Morley Ford) in summer. For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing a nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a sinker.
 
 
The walleye bite has been good in anywhere from 45-55 feet of water out of Gordon (E72nd) and Edgewater parks. Trolling deep diving crankbaits and spoons behind dipsy divers has been the most common presentations. Anglers can also hook up with some tasty walleye by casting worm harnesses and weight forward spinners. For trolling leads 100-125’ back unassisted or 50-80’ back with divers or 4-ounce snap weights have been working well at speeds of 1.5-2.5 mph. Additionally, diverse fishing opportunities including (but not limited to) rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, catfish, freshwater drum and sunfish species can be found along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie on offerings such as tube jigs and live minnows. Note: the walkway out to the old Coast Guard station at Wendy Park will begin restoration work this month and the area is scheduled to be closed for the next year.
  
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

Peter made the surprise catch of his summer camp fishing out at the Ohio & Erie Canal with this 18 inch largemouth bass!




Wei shared “This catfish was caught by Oliver Yuan and Wei Chen in Cleveland Metroparks E55 Marina Fishing Area, catch and release.” (photo courtesy of Wei Chen).








Ava and her dad had a fun July catching channel catfish and sheepshead along the Cleveland shoreline and making summer memories together (photos courtesy of Adam Wachtel).




Ryan caught his first steelhead ever while fishing with Captain Jeff Liskay, who is a registered Cleveland Metroparks fishing guide. A listing of guides is offered at the end of this report (photo courtesy of Jeff Liskay).




Jose shared regarding this brute “Caught this sheephead about 40 feet just out of the Chagrin River” (photo courtesy of Jose Gonzalez).






The Butram family and friends have been having a productive summer of fishing. In the top photo Joey (a friend of Dexter Butram) caught his personal best 2.1 lb largemouth bass kayak fishing Wallace Lake on July 20. They caught 9 bass on Ned rigs. Then on July 29, Dexter (middle pic) and dad Corey caught 12 smallmouth bass in the Rocky River, including Dexter’s first smallie ever (photos courtesy of Dexter Butram).





Mike shared regarding his surprise catch “I started dabbling with fly fishing a few weeks ago but I got obsessed once I started wading the Rocky last week. I’ve caught dozens of panfish and small bass, but I wanted a bigger fish. Today, I was standing waist deep in a hole sight fishing carp when my line finally twitched, and I couldn’t believe what took it!” (photos courtesy of Mike Simon).




Wes caught this white bass along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie, which is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you’re gonna get! (photo courtesy of Wes Bombik).






Speaking of fishing diversity along the Cleveland shoreline, David scored a mix of rock bass, largemouth bass and walleye on both a Ned rig and Mepps spinner (photos courtesy of David Farkas).




An angler was surprised to catch this longnose gar at E55th breakwall. The upper part of the fish’s beak-like mouth apparently broke off.




Local fly fishing personality Jerry Darkes proves that you can still catch a few walleye is the shallower waters near Cleveland even in midsummer (photo courtesy of Jerry Darkes).







Matt has scored a mixed bag of species along the Lake Erie shoreline on recent outings- including walleye, smallmouth bass and white bass (photos courtesy of Matt Arroyo).




I was spraying algae at Judge’s Lake recently and these ladies landed a nice catfish and held it up so I could take a pic from across the water!




Delores, who is doing a great job on my crew this summer, shows off a big largemouth bass from a recent fisheries project.




The fish touch pool always makes a big splash with kids (and adults!) at our summer events.