March 7, 2024

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May***  Streams are elevated in flow and muddy currently, but as they recede steelhead fishing prospects will improve. Anglers can monitor the most recent river conditions at the following links: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. Cleveland Metroparks has stocked a combined 6,500 pounds of mixed trout between five locations throughout the winter and spring stocking of the East Branch rocky river is right around the corner (details in report below).

Area streams are flowing high and muddy at the moment, but as they recede will offer very good spring steelhead fishing prospects. With more rain in the forecast anglers will need to stay tuned to the flow data at the links above before making a visit to fish the rivers. Dime to nickel size spawn sacks (trout or salmon eggs in chartreuse, hot pink, orange and white mesh), live minnows, 1/64 or 1/32 oz marabou jigs tipped with maggots, soft plastic minnows/nymphs/tubes on a small jig, and salmon egg mimicking beads can all work well in our current conditions. Offerings should be drifted under a float with enough 6-8 lb leader (fluorocarbon is popular) and split shot to keep the offering very close to the river bottom, but not dragging too much. Fly fishers are dead drifting egg patterns, beadhead nymph and streamer patterns under strike indicators. There are a mix of pre-spawn, spawning and post spawn fish present in the streams, and they are well distributed throughout the watersheds.

The final winter trout stocking occurred in late January making the total this winter a combined 6,500 lbs distributed between Wallace (2,300 lbs), Shadow (1,500 lbs), Ledge (1,300 lbs), Judge’s (200 lbs) and Ranger (200 lbs) lakes. The majority 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. 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 spinners are all great offerings to try for trout this time of year. Spring stocking of rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River will commence around mid March. Keep posted to this report for details on that.

Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby is back on Saturday March 30th and ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!  The always popular Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby is back this year and scheduled for Saturday March 30th. 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 (this event has raised $49K since 2015).  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! You can save $5 versus the day of the event ($30 vs $35) by registering for the Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby online. More info and register online here:  <Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby>.

A big thank you to our current event supporters, as follows. Westside Toyota is a Supporting Sponsor and repeat sponsors Jason’s Automotive Inc, Point Blank Hunts, Erie Outfitters, Dog Pound Charters, EnviroScience and Kevin Kilbane. Joining us as a first time sponsor is M3 Technologies. Contributors to the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders raffle include Shine’s Bait & Tackle, Erie Outfitters, River Roe Tackle, VooDoo Custom Tackle, Cuyahoga Falls Parks & Recreation Department, ASG Custom Rods, Majestic Reels, Furball Custom Baits, Lake Erie Kayak Fishing with Chuck Earls, Cast Cray Outdoors, Olmsted Laser Wash, Cleveland Fishing Company, Church of Perch, Capt. Jeff Liskay, Jerry Darkes and Richard Angelone. Please consider patronizing these businesses that support local fishing!

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

Ken shared regarding fishing with his daughter on the Rocky River on Monday “I’m sending these photos of Elizabeth, who did well yesterday, 2/3, when considering the low clear water. I only got taps and pecks! Unlike me, who constantly tries to get inside the fish’s heads, Elizabeth just casts and mixes up her retrieve techniques. Lesson learned: Don’t try to get inside their head; just have fun! And here’s a nice 32” hen I caught last Friday (bottom image).” (photos courtesy of Ken Stein).

Greg of Brook Park shared “Some photos of a couple of nice trout caught during an after work trip to Wallace Lake. 3/1/24 Both hit spoons hard. First golden trout for me. Both caught and released.” (photos courtesy of Greg Harmon).