September 19, 2024

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  As the days get cooler as we approach fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include smallmouth bass, carp, panfish, and channel catfish with some folks also turning attention towards early returning steelhead trout. 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 inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.
 
Reports of early steelhead being caught around Cleveland have continued this week. As the weather cools, steelhead first begin to show up around off the rocks at Edgewater and E55th, Wildwood Park and in the northernmost river sections closer to Lake Erie (the Rocky River marina area is one such spot).  The rivers are low from lack of rain lately keeping a few of these fish from running further upstream. Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are a good a bet for connecting with an early steelhead trout. These same areas can also produce walleye after dark as the temperature cools, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well. I did a podcast with 120 Outdoors that discusses early season steelhead as well as the upcoming Steelhead Expo that is available on <Apple> and <Spotify>.
 
Along the Cleveland shoreline a few yellow perch have made an appearance at E55th breakwall and have been biting minnows fished on the bottom on a crappie rig. The best bite is often in the morning and late afternoon. 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.
 
In addition to anxiously anticipating some early returning steelhead anglers may find a mix of other species in the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers. Smallmouth bass are the most sought after among them and bite best in deeper, rocky pools. A ned rig or dark olive or brown tube jig 3-4" length are both proven producers of bass in the river. "Smallies" also bite well on live bait (ie: minnow, crayfish, and leeches), lures (ie: spinners and minnow plugs), and flies (ie: crayfish patterns, Clouser minnows, dark brown or olive sculpin or muddler minnow patterns).  Channel catfish, common carp and panfish are among a host of other species also available in local streams.
 
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 other spots worth poking around in late summer. Hinckley Lake is currently drained for a dam rehabilitation project and will not be refilled until sometime in 2025.
 
Steelhead Expo at the Rocky River Nature Center Saturday, September 28. The Steelhead Expo is a great way to kick off the steelhead season and will be held at the Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday, September 28. This event is a collaborative effort between the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Cleveland Metroparks and will offer a full day of expert speakers and seminars, vendors, and other related information to usher in the fall steelhead season. There is no charge for the event but OCBS, a non-profit sportman's group which is very active in the local fishing and conservation communities, is offering a raffle as a fundraiser so donations or participation in the raffle is encouraged. Location info here: <Rocky River Nature Center>.
 
Fall Family Fishing Fest will be held Saturday, October 12. Come out and join us for Fall Family Fishing Fest at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation on Saturday, October 12 from 10 - 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

A young angler caught this steelhead at Wildwood Park by Euclid (photo courtesy of Joe).




Joey caught his personal best channel catfish measuring 28 inches at Wallace Lake (photo courtesy of Corey Butram).





Rocco caught a few earlier steelhead fishing the Cleveland shoreline from his kayak (photos courtesy of Rocco Serio).







Mike shared regarding his mixed match from the Cleveland shoreline this week “Surprise Smallie, a delicious skinny 25in eye, and another fish O white bass! Trying hard to add a steelhead to the roster this week- fingers crossed” (photos courtesy of Mike Simon).




Owen was casting for walleye from the shoreline at E55th breakwall at dusk and caught a bonus largemouth bass (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).




Thomas caught this channel catfish on September 15 while fishing with his dad Tom (photo courtesy of Tom Henderson).






Expert kayak angler Chuck Earls and friends have been catching some steelhead in the lower Rocky River and nearshore Lake Erie (photos courtesy of Chuck Earls).





Scott shared from the Cleveland shoreline “Northeast wind put them close and the moon had them feeding. I lost one male trout that had to be 15 lbs we could not get into the net” (photos courtesy of Scott Mills).


 

Phil was surprised to catch a yellow perch on a pink Roostertail spinner in the Rocky River by the boat ramps (photo courtesy of Phil Drdek).





Wes and his buddy Ernie caught enough yellow perch for a meal or two as well as a bonus channel catfish that gave a great fight. Wes noted that some days frozen emerald shiners work better and others live golden shiners work best (live emerald shiners have been hard to find lately).  He also noted some days they want the bait sitting still and others they want it jigged. And that’s why they call it fishing and not catching! (photos courtesy of Wes Janke).





Mark caught a nice steelhead from the Cleveland shoreline and also spotted a mink. Mink are highly skilled at catching fish (photos courtesy of Mark William).