December 12, 2024

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May*** The Rocky River received a good bump in flow this week and is exhibiting a good level for steelhead fishing at this time. Alternating between wintery and mild weather has had the day to day conditions on the water changing accordingly but the weekend is looking to offer comfortable fish conditions based on the forecast. 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>. The Lake Erie shoreline continues to offer opportunities for steelhead, yellow perch and walleye and inland anglers are catching a few rainbow trout at Wallace Lake.
 
Weekend temperatures are looking to be milder and steelhead anglers can expect good conditions with moderate flow on our streams. Despite the dynamic weather fluctuations anglers have been catching steelhead in local streams this week. The Rocky and Chagrin rivers have been producing and the Cuyahoga River and Euclid Creek are also worth anglers’ attention. Drifting smaller marabou/hair jigs tipped with a few maggots, dime to nickel size spawn sacks and egg mimicking beads under floats through the holes are all connecting with some fish.
 
When wind and wave conditions permit the Lake Erie shoreline fishery continues to offer opportunities. Along the lakefront steelhead can be caught off the rocks at Edgewater Park, E55th breakwall, and Wildwood Park. Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are a good bet for connecting with steelhead trout. These same locations are still producing a few catches of walleye after dark, although the big schools of walleye are beginning to move west. Walleye anglers do well with Perfect 10, Husky Jerk and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits. Anglers should take special care in winter as shoreline rocks and concrete can be covered in treacherous ice and boot/shoe cleats can be invaluable, as is a long handled landing net.
 
Yellow perch are still available to late season boaters near the Cuyahoga River outer lighthouse and at the east end of the outer city breakwall and a few perch have also turned up at E55th breakwall, although shore fishing for them is less predictable. Perch will bite minnows fished on the bottom on a crappie rig, as well as using spreaders if fishing from a boat (the color and spinner blades on the latter can trigger bites some days).
 
Wallace Lake was stocked with 500 pounds of trout on Friday, December 6. The majority of the fish were rainbow trout but an impressive percentage were golden rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout and even a few rare tiger trout (see some photos below). The lake has alternated lately between being open water and having some ice coverage. When thin ice covers the lake anglers can still target trout from the safety of shore in areas where the shoreline drops off the deeper water quickly such as off the fishing docks, lifeguard platform and areas with sandstone ledges from past quarrying are present. A small marabou or hair jig tipped with maggots or a waxworm, a dime size ball of PowerBait dough fished off the bottom as well as small to medium size spinners and jigging spoons all catch their share of trout. Next week we plan to stock 3,000 lbs of trout between 5 lakes so stay tuned to the fishing report for details on that.
 
Winter Updates on Boat Launch Facilities. The floating courtesy docks at our public boat launches at Rocky River, Edgewater Park and Gordon Park (E72nd) were all pulled out for the season this week. Note that Edgewater and Gordon parks each have a permanent concrete and steel dock that are available year around. The fish cleaning station at Gordon Park was also winterized and closed for the season last week.
 
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


 

Alex shared regarding his tiger trout catch from Wallace Lake “What a special day at Wallace Lake! 12/09/24 ABU Garcia rod with a spinner I found on the ground on my way to use the bathroom, can’t even make that up!!!!!” (photo courtesy of Alex Mattson).


 


Megan shared “Writing to report some good luck fishing this past weekend for a father and son duo - Saturday, December 7 in Rocky River. My dad Mike thought he caught at whopper until my brother Jim caught a 36 inch fish.” (photos courtesy of Megan Wise).




Gavin caught a bonus buck brown trout while fishing a Metroparks creek for steelhead yesterday (photo courtesy of Gavin Bish).




Keagon caught this monster 15 lb 12 oz buck steelhead in the Rocky River yesterday and is getting bthe trophy fish mounted (photo courtesy of taxidermist Allen Reinke).



 


Jimmy likes when the weather gets wintery - more anglers stay home but the Rocky River steelies are still hungry (photos courtesy of Jimmy Miranda).





Ron found success on the Rocky River for steelhead as well as Wallace Lake for rainbow trout this week (photos courtesy of Ron).





Blaine shows off a beautiful brown trout and tiger trout stocked at Wallace Lake recently. More details in the report above.





Dr. Jeff Miner of Bowling Green State University is seeking the assistance of local anglers for a steelhead study.  See the information above about the project and please consider participating if you harvest steelhead of the requested size.