January 16, 2025

WELCOME TO THE FIRST FISHING REPORT BLOG POSTED ON OUR NEW WEBSITE.  FOR THE TIME BEING WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO POST AS MANY PHOTOS AS WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY POSTED IN THE REPORT.  KNOWING THAT SHARING PHOTOS OF ANGLER CATCHES IS A POPULAR AND INTERACTIVE PART OF THIS OFFERING WE WILL LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS TO REMEDY THAT IN THE COMING MONTHS.

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May***  Winter has truly settled in this week and steelhead fishing conditions have become much more challenging accordingly. A growing amount of ice and slush is limiting the amount of water that anglers can access. 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>. (keep in mind that ice formation on the water level sensors can lead to erroneous readings, though). On the other hand, anglers are getting out on the ice for stocked trout and other species on our inland lakes and ponds as well as beginning to check the ice on Cleveland lakefront harbors. Please read the ice fishing safety guidelines offered below, especially if you are less experienced on the ice.

With winter weather settling upon the region steelhead fishing in the streams has become increasingly challenging.  There is abundant ice and slush and finding remaining open water with some depth will be the best strategy. Slowly drifting smaller marabou/hair jigs (1/32-1/64 oz) tipped with a few maggots and dime to nickel size spawn sacks are top winter offerings as scent can help entice bites quite a bit in cold water.

There are plenty of trout still available as in December we stocked 3,500 pounds of mixed trout between Wallace (1,900 lbs), Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (650 lbs), Judge’s (100 lbs) and Ranger (100 lbs) lakes. The bulk 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. Making things even more interesting some of the fish were of trophy proportions. Given the quality of the trout stocked they are receiving high fishing pressure and folks are reporting a tough bite overall. Some tips are to fish small baits and jigs under small ice floats and to expect very light hits and set the hook quickly. Another good option through the ice are small to medium size jigging spoons, which should 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 is also working for some folks. A second (and final) round of winter trout stocking will occur later this month. Keep posted to this report for details on that. 

Ice fishing on the Cleveland harbors can offer a variety of species including steelhead, yellow perch and northern pike among them. Steelhead through the ice will hit similar baits to stocked trout (listed above) as well as offerings they bite in the river. Yellow perch and other panfish bite a small ice jig tipped with a maggot or two or a waxworm and pike bite jigging spoons and live minnows best. Ice in these areas has more variability than inland lakes so be extra cautious and is not the best idea for less experienced ice anglers. The protected harbors at E55th Marina, Gordon Park/E72nd boat ramps, and Edgewater Park boat ramps are areas most traditionally targeted. People should not venture out onto the ice of the open lake or main Cleveland harbor as it takes a long spell of cold weather to form good ice in these areas, which is a rare occurrence anymore.

For those considering ice fishing we offer the following safety advice. Most state conservation agencies recommend at least 4" of solid ice before anglers should venture out to ice fish, 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 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. Heavy snow serves to insulate the water and slow additional ice formation, as well. 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. A floating "survival suit" is something you may consider, as well. 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 are already fishing.

Cedar Point Road Bridge has been re-opened. Although it was not a Cleveland Metroparks project the Cedar Point Road bridge being out was an inconvenience for many folks who enjoy Rocky River Reservation. After 3.5 years the county has finally completed the project and the bridge is re-opened. Also note there is no longer a stop sign at the site (which had been the case for the duration of the construction), but there is a stop light there now.

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

Mike and friends caught some sunfish, crappie and rainbow trout through the ice at Shadow Lake this week (photos courtesy of Mike Wolf).

Brad scored this beautiful brook trout on a jigging spoon in a Metroparks lake (photo courtesy of Brad Gandener).

Dan isn’t afraid of ice in the rivers and proved it by catching this big buck from the shrinking open water in the Chagrin River (photo courtesy of Dan Szabo).

Jim shows off a chunky Wallace Lake rainbow.  He was hooking a few trout on a small hook with a few maggots while others seemed to be struggling to hook up.

Chris shows off a belated steelhead photo from prior to winter descending upon the region (photo courtesy of Chris Ligan).