October 10, 2024

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***   The cooler weather has maintained the early season steelhead fishing along the lakefront with some fish also present in local streams. 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 targeting walleye and yellow perch, and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.
 
Reports of steelhead being caught around Cleveland have continued to trickle in this week. With the cooler weather and shorter days steelhead are showing up around the rocks at Edgewater Park, E55th breakwall, and Wildwood Park as well as in the northernmost river sections closer to Lake Erie (the Rocky River marina area is one such spot). The river levels are low and could use some rain to lure some fish to run further upstream.  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 an early steelhead trout. Trolling spoons and medium size crankbaits (like Flicker Shad) around the river mouths can also produce. These same locations may also produce walleye after dark, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well.
 
Along the Cleveland shoreline yellow perch are being caught by boaters around the Cuyahoga River outer lighthouse as well as at the east end of the outer city breakwall. A few perch are also turning up at E55th breakwall and will take minnows fished on the bottom on a crappie rig. Please note that Wendy Park at the old Coast Guard station is closed for repairs and will reopen to the public in roughly August 2025.
 
Anglers at our inland lakes and ponds are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish. Wallace Lake, Ledge Lake, Shadow Lake, and Beyer's Pond are just a few spots worth poking around in early fall. The Ohio & Erie Canal at E49th Street will be stocked with rainbow trout and channel catfish in mid October. Please note that Hinckley Lake is currently drained for a dam rehabilitation project and will not be refilled until sometime in 2025.
 
Fall Family Fishing Fest will be held this Saturday, October 12. Come out and join us for Fall Family Fishing Fest at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation this Saturday, October 12 from 10:00 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.  Thank you to Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders for supporting this great event with grant funds.
 
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

Max caught this buck pink salmon on the Chagrin River (photo courtesy of Max Madden).


 




Carter and his dad made a nice catch of yellow perch from the Cleveland shoreline (photos courtesy of John Lusnek).



 
Domonike caught this steelhead along the Cleveland shoreline casting a blue and chartreuse shallow diving crankbait (photo courtesy of Domonike Golphin).



 


Mariah shared of her son Dexter and friends from Wallace Lake “Every milestone always involves fishing. Homecoming 2024. #fishingislife” (photos courtesy of Mariah Butram).


 

Wes and his wife made a limit catch off Cleveland this week, and the perch fishing is only going to get better into fall (photo courtesy of Wes Janke).




I just thought readers might like to see a pair of trophy largemouth bass from Beyers Pond caught during a recent survey. These are the biggest two bass from the survey - not representative of the typical bass in the lake.