***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May*** The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are currently elevated and muddy from rain and snow melt, but may be fishable late into the weekend. Anglers may monitor the most recent river water level and temperature at the following links:
<Rocky River flow gauge data><Chagrin River flow gauge data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. Trout were stocked at five locations in mid December and ice is gone from our local lakes and ponds.
Steelhead fishing opportunities have been limited this week, with slushy flows and elevated muddy water hindering fishing. When fishable windows have been presented, though, the steelhead fishing has been good. At the moment area streams are elevated and muddy from rain and snow melt, but are on the verge of cresting and may present fishing opportunities late into the weekend. You can use the links above to stay abreast of the latest trend in flow before heading out to the river. Anglers should expect to employ stained water tactics such are larger nickel to quarter size brightly colored spawn bags and jigs and larger flies in contrasting colors, such as a black with bright orange or pink headed Egg Sucking Leech fly pattern. The size of the larger fish continues to be outstanding this year, with quite a few steelhead exceeding 30 inches in length in the mix, as well as weekly reports of a stray brown trout or two (see images below). A good number of steelhead have migrated well upstream in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers, with fish now being well distributed throughout the watersheds. Smaller streams, such as Euclid and Porter creeks, will drop and clear most rapidly offering the first fishing opportunities into the weekend. As lake conditions permit some steelhead may still be found off the breakwall at E55th Marina and off the rocks at Edgewater Park, as well as Wildwood Park. In the colder water, baits drifted under floats, such as marabou jig tipped with a minnow or a nightcrawlers, have the edge over casting hardware.
In mid December our first round scheduled winter trout stockings took place. This stockings consisted of a total of 3,000 lbs of trout distributed as follows: Wallace Lake (1,400 lbs), Shadow Lake (750 lbs), ledge Lake (650 lbs), Ranger Lake (100 lbs) and Judge's Lake (100 lbs). The majority of the fish are 1 lb rainbow trout, but a good number of brook, brown, golden rainbow and even some trophy tiger trout (more on this below) are in the mix. A fair number of trout remain at Ohio & Erie Canal from stocking in October.
Note: the daily limit at Wallace, Ledge, Ranger and Judge's lakes is 3 trout/angler and the limit at Shadow Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal is 5 trout/angler. The trout can bite well on colorful dime size balls of Power Bait dough, a waxworm ot two on a small marabou or tube jig and jigging spoons. Our lakes are again offerings open water fishing opportunities after being ice covered only a week ago. The second (and final) round of winter trout stocking is scheduled to take place at the end of January and beginning of February.
OCBS Steelhead Workshop on January 26 (FREE). On Thursday January 26 the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders will be hosting the popular annual Steelhead Workshop at the Emerald Necklace Marina Cafe on the Rocky River (1400 Scenic Park Dr. in Lakewood) from 7:30-9:30 PM. All are welcome to this free event and the format will be a variety of self-paced info stations with steelhead focused topics such as fly tying, spawn bag tying, various technique focused tables, and even ice fishing for steelhead (I'll personally be hosting this one). There is something for anglers of all skill levels and food and drinks will be available for purchase. Come join us after work or to warm up after a winter day on the river.
CMNH Trout Club "Fly Master of Cleveland" Event on January 28 (FREE). The Cleveland Museum of Natural History Trout Club is hosting a fly tying event Saturday, January 28 from 7-9 PM at Gormley's Pub (19500 Center Ridge Rd., Rocky River 44116). Participants will receive a bag of mystery tying materials and need to create a fly of their own design. Flies will be judged and 3 top creations selected will receive prizes. The tier of what is judged the best fly will be named the "Fly Master of Cleveland"! No charge and open to everyone, and spectators are welcome. Tiers need to bring vise and tools. Registration is required to participate as a tier and can be done
<here>.
Photo Release Waivers for Fishing Blog Photos (fast and easy to complete online). Photo release waivers for photos sent in for the fishing report can easily be completed online through Smart Waiver (takes only about 30 seconds to complete) at the following link:
<Smart Waiver link>. You only need to do this one time and any future additional photos submitted are already covered.
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
Note: The fishing report is updated monthly in June, July, and August and weekly every other month
***Note: All photo submissions must first complete the Cleveland Metroparks photo waiver.***
2024 Cleveland Metroparks Registered Fishing Guides
(name, company, contact)
- #24-001 Gareth Thomas, Alley Grabs Guide Service, [email protected] (216) 235-5056
- #24-002 Jeff Liskay, Great Lakes Flyfishing LLC, [email protected] (440) 781-7536
- #24-003 Monte Casey, The Steelhead Guide, (440) 773-8064 www.steelheadguide.com
- #24-004 Anthony Montagnese, Covered Bridge Outfitters, [email protected] (440) 320-105
- #24-005 Lucas Smith, What That Vise Do LLC, [email protected] (724) 841-1564
- #24-006 Nicholas DelVecchio, Wildwood Outfitters, [email protected] (724) 433-2315
- #24-007 Nate Miller, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com (440) 796-6105
- #24-008 Jim Lampros, [email protected] (216) 513-6011
More information on Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Guide Permit requirements, including the permit application, you may check the following link:
<Fishing Guide Permit Program>
Learn how you can support recreation opportunities through a donation to the Cleveland Metroparks
Fishing Fund.