February 27, 2025

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May***   Local streams have opened up with rain and snow melt this week and are stained and flowing strong. Weekend conditions will depend on how much more rain we receive, but if it is minimal steelhead fishing prospects could be good. 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>. (Note: The flow gage on the Rockyt River is temporarily down due to an upcoming bridge project and Cleveland Metroparks and USGS are in communication seeking a workable interim solution). Ice on our lakes and ponds, as well as Lake Erie harbors, are offering ice fishing opportunities for a variety of species including yellow perch, bluegill 9and other sunfish), and stocked trout.

The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are stained and flowing hard following rain and snow melt. If additional rainfall is minimal the Rocky and Chagrin rivers will both be good bets this weekend. Be aware that treacherous ice slabs are piled up high along the river banks in areas, especially near the Rocky River boat ramps. Drifting brightly colored nickel size spawn sacks is a top tactic in cold and stained water, and as waters clear smaller marabou/hair jigs (1/32-1/64 oz) tipped with a few maggots and egg mimicking beads under floats will take their share of fish. Although the water is likely too cold to bring in a big push of fresh steelhead I would still expect a modest number of fresh fish mixed in with those that have been overwintering in the stream.

Ice fishers are pursuing the stocked trout and panfish on our inland lakes and ponds. In late January we stocked the second (and final) bunch of winter trout at Wallace (1,900 lbs), Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (650 lbs), Ranger (100 lbs), and Judge’s (100 lbs) lakes.  These complement the 3,500 pounds of mixed trout we stocked in the same lakes back in December. The bulk of these fish were rainbow trout averaging a pound each although there were plenty of bonus brook, brown, golden rainbow, and even tiger (brook x brown hybrid) trout in the mix. Anglers should fish small baits and jigs under small ice floats and to expect light hits and set the hook quickly. Another good option is small to medium size (1.5-3”) jigging spoons, which can be worked at various depths of the water column until active fish are encountered. Although jigging spoons do not require bait, they can still be tipped with a few maggots, a waxworm or a small minnow, which can sometimes elicit more bites. A dime size ball of PowerBait on a bare hook or molded on a small jighead can also produce.

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 in winter the daily limit is 2 with minimum size of 12” whether fishing the rivers, harbors or Lake Erie.

Ice fishing on the Cleveland harbors has been offering a variety of species including yellow perch, bluegill, steelhead, largemouth bass, and northern pike among them. Many species will hit a small tungsten jig tipped with a waxworm or small minnow and gently jigged or dead-sticked right on or near the lake bottom. Panfish will hit very gently. Ben from Shine’s Bait and Tackle was doing great on bluegill with some yellow perch on Sunday but he was using a small underwater camera to see when the fish would mouth the bait so he could set the hook. Most bites could not even be detected otherwise and the fish would spit out the offering almost immediately after tasting it. Steelhead and northern pike have been hitting medium size jigging spoons that can be worked more aggressively from mid to lower in the water column. Ice in these areas has more variability than inland lakes so be extra cautious, especially as you get towards the harbor entrances. The protected harbors at E55th Marina, Gordon Park/E72nd boat ramps, and Edgewater Park boat ramps are some of the areas traditionally targeted. 

For ice fishing most state conservation agencies recommend at least 4" of solid ice before anglers should venture out, and in Cleveland Metroparks it is the angler's responsibility to check that. One method is to use a spud bar near shore and check the ice thickness, and if it is > 4 inches and solid, good quality ice then walk out a little further and check again. Ice is often thinnest right at the water's edge and around inlets and outlets of the waterbody. A pair of emergency ice picks held at the ready on a cord around the neck are a safety must, as is an emergency length of rope. Other safety tips are to always fish with a friend, let someone know where you'll be, and focus on areas near where other anglers have already been fishing recently.

Upcoming Rocky River Parkway Bridge Closure. The bridge over the Rocky River by the Rocky River Nature Center will be closed for rehabilitation starting on March 3 and will extend until August 2025. More info and detour outlined here:  <Rocky River Nature Center bridge closure>.

USGS Rocky River Flow Gage is Temporarily Unavailable. Due to the upcoming aforementioned bridge project the USGS flow gage is temporarily out of commission. Cleveland Metroparks and USGS are in communication to seek a workable interim solution. Stay tuned to this report for updates in that.

Annual Metroparks Boat Ramp Tags are now Available for Online Purchase. You can now purchase your Cleveland Metroparks annual boat launch tags online. Discount rates for seniors and veterans ($25), and rates vary if you are a resident of our service area ($30) versus outside the area ($35). You can find more information and purchase at this link: <2025 Boat Launch Tags>. Tags will also be available for in person purchase once our marina shops open again for the boating season in spring.

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

Alex shared “I went out on Wallace Lake for my second time ever Ice fishing and caught my first fish of 2025, my first rainbow trout, and my first fish through the ice!! He hit an ice jig with a crappie tube and waxworms. I would love to be on the fishing report!” (photo courtesy of Alex Mangels).

Dale shows off a real bruiser golden rainbow trout at Shadow Lake.

Sunday was quite a party on the ice at the E72nd public boat ramps off Cleveland Harbor with folks catching a mix of yellow perch, bluegill, largemouth bass, and one fellow even caught a nice northern pike. Steelhead routinely caught here, as well, but I didn’t see any hooked that day.

Brian has had quite a week on the ice! Among his catch he hooked two steelhead on jigging spoons at E72nd boat ramps (landing one), then at Wallace and Ledge lakes he caught a 25” rainbow trout (that broke the lines of 2 other anglers based on the hooks in its mouth), caught a few brook trout, a golden rainbow trout, and even landed a tiger trout yesterday (photos courtesy of Brian Kich).

Mike has scored some silver on the Rocky River this week. After striking out using jigs on Monday he quickly caught 2 in a half hour on shallow diving crankbaits (photos courtesy of Mike Simon).

Mark your calendars - the 10^th annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby fundraiser is coming up on Saturday March 29! More info and online registration <here>. If you are interested in sponsoring the event please get in touch with me.

The parkway bridge by the Rocky River Nature Center will be shut down for rehabilitation starting on March 3 through August 2025. This is on the Main Branch of the river immediately north of the split into the east and west branch. Above is detour information for the area.

#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