***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May*** The Rocky River finally got quite an increase in flow over the past week and should be a good level for steelhead fishing this weekend. Another factor, though, will be the return of winter weather and the ice and slush that comes along with it. 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). Conditions permitting the Lake Erie shoreline my offer opportunities for steelhead and 5 local lakes were recently stocked with trout (details below).
Weekend temperatures are looking to be cold but river level will be conducive for steelhead anglers after a week of elevated flows. The mornings, in particular, may be slushy. The Rocky and Chagrin rivers will be good bets this weekend. Drifting smaller marabou/hair jigs (1/32-1/64 oz) tipped with a few maggots, dime to nickel size spawn sacks and egg mimicking beads under floats through the holes are all connecting with some fish. Overall, anglers on the Rocky River have been observing below average numbers of fish (even if the top end size is impressive). There are likely multiple factors at play but I personally believe that the extended low flow all fall into early winter is a big one. We will see what this real increase in flows finally brings in, and I certainly expect a lot more fish as winter transitions into early spring at the least.
When conditions permit the Lake Erie shoreline fishery will continue to offer late season opportunities for steelhead. E55th breakwall is always a good spot to drift a jig tipped with maggots or a nightcrawler 4-6 feet under a float. Anglers should take special care in winter as shoreline rocks and concrete can be covered in treacherous ice and boot/shoe cleats can be invaluable, as is a long handled landing net. If we actually get good ice later this winter, Cleveland harbors can offer a variety of species including steelhead, yellow perch and northern pike (stay tuned to the fishing report for updates on that).
There are lots of trout available as on December 17 and 19 we stocked 3,000 pounds of mixed trout between Wallace (1,400 lbs, adding to the 500 lbs recently stocked here on December 6th), 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. A few of the fish were of trophy proportions and among the most impressive that we’ve ever stocked. Given the quality and quantity of trout stocked they are getting a lot of interest and subsequent high fishing pressure and folks are reporting a tough bite overall. Some tips are to fish small baits and jigs under smaller floats, expect VERY light hits, and move around looking for areas that get less pressure. Also, Wallace Lake gets the most fish (almost half of those divided up between 5 lakes) so it receives the most pressure and switching over to fishing some of the smaller stocked ponds is a strategy that can sometimes pay off.
We will be entering a transitional period coming up where open water in our inland lakes and ponds will be icing over, but will not be safe to ice fish on anytime soon (stay tuned to this report for ice fishing safety guidelines if/when that time comes). When ice is present but not thick enough to walk on anglers can fish through holes in the ice from that safety of shore in areas where the water drops off quickly. Some folks bring a weight lifting plate, smaller anchor, or smaller cinder block tied to a rope to help break up nearshore ice when it’s too thin to walk out and drill holes. A few such areas are from certain fishing docks or platforms (ie platform by Wallace Lake swimming area) and along near-shore sandstone ledges at Wallace Lake (from former quarrying activities). A second (and final) trout stocking will occur in late January or early February.
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
Jessica was excited to catch this large brown trout casting a spoon at Wallace Lake (photo courtesy of James Krasula).
Vinny caught his first rainbow trout of the season on a Berkey minnow under a float (photo courtesy of Brian DiGioia).
Kumbo caught a few Wallace Lake rainbow trout and a bonus brook trout on his own jigs (photos courtesy of Kumbo Leng).
Kevin caught this coho salmon while fly fishing a smaller Metroparks creek. He seems to have all the luck catching unusual fish as a few weeks back he caught an even rarer Atlantic salmon (photos courtesy of Kevin Bjerre).
Eric was visiting home for the holidays (he goes to school in Michigan) and caught this nice Rocky River steelhead (photo courtesy of Eric Abramczyk).
Jimmy sent in some recent photos of himself and friends catching Wallace Lake trout as well as a Rocky River steelhead. Vidali was the lucky one who caught the hefty tiger trout in the first image (photos courtesy of Jimmy Miranda).
Brain caught a beautiful Wallace Lake brook trout this week and also sent in photos of a few walleye he caught along the lakefront recently (photos courtesy of Brian Kich).
Dudley recently caught a nice steelhead on his birthday in a smaller stream (photo courtesy of Mike Dudevsky).
Taylor caught a surprise brown trout while targeting steelhead in a local stream (photo courtesy of Taylor DiBlasi).
Nick shows off a few fine steelhead from this week (photos courtesy of Nick Kosiba).
Dave and his son made their first trip to the Rocky River from Kalida, OH, during sub-optimal conditions and still scored some nice steelies (photos courtesy of Dave Hovest).
Now here is the definition of a CHUNKY rainbow trout! (photo courtesy of Jamie Darr).
Brian caught this bruiser steelhead drifting a jig on the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Brian Ailor).