April 10, 2025

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May***  Local rivers are have dropped to fishable levels after a week of high water, but are slowly rising due to rain. Anglers can expect good numbers of lake-run smallmouth bass and a modest number of fresh steelhead. To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link: <Rocky River Main Branch flow gage data> <Rocky River East Branch flow gage data> <Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. (Note: The flow gage on the Rocky River Main Branch is temporarily down due to an upcoming bridge project and Cleveland Metroparks and USGS are in ongoing communication seeking a workable interim solution. The East Branch flow data above will still give anglers a good idea of the trend in river flow in the meantime). Anglers are pursuing rainbow trout in Wallace and Shadow lakes, both of which were recently stocked.

The Rocky and Chagrin rivers were offering fishable conditions after a week of being high and muddy, but are slowly rising from rain. Weekend conditions will be good if we receive minimal additional rain. I would expect a modest number of steelhead to still be available, including a few fresh fish. A big push of steelhead has not happened and this will likely remain the status quo for the remainder of the spring. The reasons why are unclear at this time, but the trend was observed on all Ohio steelhead streams (most pronounced the further west you venture). The best explanation could be lower survival of the current cohorts of steelhead, but the reasons for that would only be speculation at this time. On the plus side, the run of smallmouth bass and white suckers is going strong. This is a great time of year to score the “silver and bronze”, which is catching a steelhead and a big smallmouth bass on the same outing using crankbaits, spinners, or jigs tipped with minnow or waxworm drifted under a float.

With rivers being flooded last week we stocked the 900 lbs of rainbow trout into Wallace Lake instead last Tuesday. Also, on March 18, the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked just over 1,000 rainbow trout in Shadow Lake but note that these trout average a half pound each (versus the Metroparks stocked fish that are at least twice that size). These smaller trout are perfect for children and for fish fries. Additionally, throughout winter a total of 6,500 lbs of mixed trout were stocked between Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge’s, and Ranger lakes and a fair number of those trout are still around. Small to medium size spoons and spinners, a dime size ball of PowerBait on a bare hook and fished about 18” from a sinker on the bottom, and small jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm below a float/bobber are just a few proven offerings for stocked trout.

As long as the water level is not too elevated the East Branch Rocky River in Mill Stream Run Reservation will be stocked with trout again next week weeks. On March 17, we stocked (900 lbs) of catchable size rainbow trout in the river. Fish were released at the parking area off the parkway just north of Rt 82/Royalton road, as well as off the bridges to the Strongsville Wildlife Area, The Chalet, and the low ford that crosses the river just south of Wallace Lake. The covered bridge spot was not stocked because the ground was too soft from recent construction work and rain.  Trout will be released into this stretch of river roughly every other week until the end of April.

To clarify trout limit by location (all trout species combined), the daily limit is 3 trout at Wallace, Ranger, Ledge and Judge’s lakes. The daily limit is 5 trout at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal.  For steelhead/rainbow trout in the rivers, harbors and Lake Erie this time of year the daily limit is 2 with minimum size of 12”.

In spring there are a variety of fishing opportunities along the Cleveland shoreline.  Largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, steelhead, yellow perch, and sunfish can all be found in area harbors and breakwalls. This fishery will only get better as water temperature increases further in the coming weeks. The courtesy docks have been installed at both E72nd/Gordon Park and Edgewater public launch ramps for the convenience of early season boaters. The docks at Emerald necklace ramps on the Rocky River will not be installed until the river is dredged-  likely in early May.

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

Carlos display a Wallace lake largemouth bass caught this week (photo courtesy of Carlos Velez Serrano).

Vinny and his dad stopped by the Rocky River yesterday with the flyrods and an hour and a half to kill thinking they might get into some suckers, but ended up pleasantly surprised by this fine steelhead (photo courtesy of Brian DiGioia).

Corey shared from Wallace Lake last Tuesday “The day you stocked these 2 dudes walked up on the corner by the oak tree and started throwing a giant crappie jig head with half a night crawler on it and pulled out a monster brown and a rainbow.  Best picture I could get. I got 1 rainbow.” (photo courtesy of Corey Butram).

Tony caught this largemouth bass on a rainy Saturday (photo courtesy of Tony Modic).

Ted shared a pair of lake-run smallmouth bass from the Rocky River 9photos courtesy of Ted Choukalas).

Jimmy and Billy scored a few crappie, colorful rainbow trout and a big brown trout at Wallace Lake this week (photos courtesy of Jimmy Miranda).

A two man limit of walleye and some bonus yellow perch (photos courtesy of Ted Choukalas).

Chris reports from the Rocky “Tied my first Babine Special and had no luck all season with this fly and FINALLY landed a chromer to close out the season this past Sunday.” (photos courtesy of Chris Ligan).

Mike found a dead muskie washed up along the Cleveland shoreline (photo courtesy of Mike Simon).

Attention female anglers!  You can make an easy $50 just for sharing your experiences. This research is being conducted by Carleton University.

#25-001 Jeff Liskay, Great Lakes Flyfishing LLC, [email protected] (440) 781-7536

#25-002 Gareth Thomas, Alley Grabs Guide Service, [email protected] (216) 235-5056

#25-003 Jim Lingenfelter, Wild Ohio Outdoors Guide Service, [email protected], (440) 731-9160

#25-004 Monte Casey, Steelhead Guide, (440) 773-8064 www.steelheadguide.com

#25-005 Nicholas DelVecchio, Wildwood Outfitters, [email protected] (724) 433-2315

#25-006 Lucas Smith, What That Vise Do LLC, [email protected] (724) 841-1564

#25-007 Nate Miller, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com (440) 796-6105