January 30, 2025

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May***  Icy rivers are beginning to thaw and should continue to do so into the weekend based on the forecast. Ice fishers have been pursuing stocked trout and other species on our inland lakes and ponds as well on the Cleveland lakefront harbors. Please read the ice fishing safety guidelines offered below, especially if you are less experienced on the ice.

Frozen rivers are beginning to thaw and will continue to do so into the weekend, but ice jams could be likely as this continues to occur. Although some folks were ice fishing the Rocky River boat ramp area this week this area should not be considered safe as the river conditions thaw.

The milder weather forecast will affect ice conditions on smaller lakes and ponds more slowly than in the dynamic river. Stocked trout have been a highlight for local ice fishers. On Tuesday this week we stocked the second (and final) bunch of winter trout at Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (650 lbs), and Judge’s (100 lbs) lakes and this afternoon we plan to stock Wallace (1,900 lbs) and Ranger (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 through the ice are medium size (2-3”) 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 can offer a variety of species including steelhead, yellow perch and northern pike among them. The trick is to find areas that are not loaded too thick with schools of gizzard shad (they can get so abundant that at times you can’t avoid snagging them while jigging).  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. The protected harbors at E55th Marina, Gordon Park/E72nd boat ramps, and Edgewater Park boat ramps are some of the areas 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.

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

Brian caught this steelhead on a jigging spoon through the ice at the Rocky River marina area. With the thaw in progress this area should not be considered safe to fish at this time (photo courtesy of Brian Ailor).

Kumbo sent in a photo of a bruiser buck steelhead he caught in the river prior to the deep freeze (photo courtesy of Kumbo Leng).

Brian has been having luck on stocked trout and a few bonus panfish at Wallace and Ledge lakes. He has been using small spoons and tiny jigs tipped with a few maggots near the lake bottom (photos courtesy of Brian Kich).

Dale sent in a few belated photos of trophy tiger trout and brown trout he caught in Shadow Lake back in December (photos courtesy of Dale).

#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