December 19, 2024

***NOTE: The Fishing report will not be updated again until January 2 due to the holidays. Otherwise, the Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May*** The Rocky River received a good bump in flow this week and is exhibiting a moderate stain and decent flow for steelhead fishing at this time.  The weekend is looking to offer good flow conditions for steelhead anglers although the mornings may be slushy 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 cold but river conditions will be conducive for steelhead anglers. The mornings, in particular, may be slushy. Despite the weather fluctuations anglers have been catching steelhead in local streams this week. The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are good bets and the Cuyahoga River and Euclid Creek are a few other streams also worth anglers’ attention. Drifting smaller marabou/hair jigs (1/32-1/64 oz) 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 conditions permit the Lake Erie shoreline fishery continues to offer late season 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 can also still produce a few walleye after dark, although the big schools of walleye have moved west by now. Walleye anglers do well with Perfect 10, Husky Jerk and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits. Yellow perch may also turn up and will bite minnows fished on the bottom on a crappie rig. 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.
 
There will be lots of trout available for folks with some time off over the holidays. By this afternoon Cleveland Metroparks will have completed stocking 3,000 pounds of mixed trout (the first half were stocked on Tuesday) between Wallace (1,400 lbs, adding to the 500 lbs recently stocked here on December 6), Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (650 lbs), Judge’s (100 lbs) and Ranger (100 lbs) lakes. The bulk were rainbow trout averaging a pound each although there were plenty of bonus brook, brown, golden rainbow, and even rare tiger (brook x brown hybrid) trout to keep things interesting. A few of the fish were of trophy proportions and among the most impressive that we’ve ever stocked (see examples in the photos below).  Small marabou or hair jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm, a dime sized ball of Power Bait, and smallish to medium size jigging spoons are all great offerings to try for trout. Our lakes and ponds are ice free at this time. A second (and final) trout stocking will occur in late January or early February.
 
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 last 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 recently.
 
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

 
Nick caught some beautiful steelhead on Tuesday, including his 4^th Fish Ohio qualifier (28” or better) of the season (photos courtesy of Nick Kosiba).


 











We stocked 3,000 lbs of incredibile trout this week - a mix of rainbow, brook, brown, golden rainbow and even rare tiger trout (the latter is a brook x brown hybrid) as displayed by myself and a few of my stocking assistants on Tuesday in the images above. The fish were an impressive mix of pan-size up to trophy size. See details in the report.





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.