***Tuesday December 8 afternoon update: Today we stocked 1,500 pounds of rainbow trout between Wallace (1,250 lbs) and Ranger (250 lbs) lakes.***
In late fall, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include steelhead trout, yellow perch, and walleye. The Rocky River and other area streams are currently flowing moderately well following rain this week, and a fresh run of steelhead entered the rivers accordingly. To monitor the most recent river water level, temperature, and clarity (turbidity) you can check the following links: <Rocky River USGS flow gage data> <Chagrin River USGS flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. Yellow perch, walleye, and steelhead have all been biting along the Cleveland lakefront for shore and late season boat anglers when the conditions have allowed.
The Rocky and Chagrin rivers finally received some much needed rain this week, which encouraged a run of fresh steelhead into the streams. There has been a good mix of adult steelhead (24-28") and skippers (14-18" steelhead), with some fresh fish having run several miles upstream from the lake. When the water is on the stained side, a dime to nickel size brightly colored spawn sack (hot pink or chartreuse are both good) drifted under a float/bobber is hard to beat. As the water clears other offerings, including live/salted minnows, jigs tipped with maggots/waxworm, salmon egg mimicking beads, and various flies (eggs, nymphs, and streamers) will begin taking a good share of the fish. Medium size silvery spoons and spinners are always worth a try, as well, and require less specialized tackle for newer steelhead anglers. The Cuyahoga River and Euclid Creek also receive some stray steelhead, as do other unstocked streams. Fishing will only improve from this point on through spring, especially if we have the mild winter that is being forecasted.
Large numbers of steelhead continue to stage and feed on abundant emerald shiners and small gizzard shad along the Lake Erie shoreline (at Edgewater, E55th, and Wildwood parks). Popular methods for targeting Lake Erie shoreline steelies include suspending a jig tipped with minnow or nightcrawler 2-5 feet below a bobber, as well as casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail). Many of these fish traditionally enter the river in greater numbers following a good rain in late November-early December.
Trout and catfish are available at Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area down the hill from CanalWay Visitor Center off E49th Street. In October we stocked 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout and 600 pounds of farm raised channel catfish at this location. Note: the daily trout limit at this location is five per angler. Trout bite well on PowerBait, canned corn, small spinners, and jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms, and catfish love chicken liver. A nightcrawler worm or piece of shrimp fished right on the canal bottom offers a good bet of hooking either species. The first round of winter trout stockings will occur in our lakes around mid-December.
When conditions have allowed, yellow perch anglers around Cleveland have reported a fair to decent bite in 32-40 FOW off E72nd/Gordon Park and Bratenahl. A few nice catches of perch have also been caught by shore anglers on the north facing breakwall at E55th. Anglers are using perch spreaders and crappie rigs baited with emerald shiners. The shop at E55th is closed for the season, but emerald shiners are available in abundance along the shoreline and in local rivers for anglers who invest in an inexpensive umbrella net. Night walleye anglers are reporting great action off Edgewater and E55thd/Gordon parks from the shore and from boats casting and trolling stickbaits, with larger Husky Jerks and Perfect 10 models being top producers. The ODNR Division of Wildlife weekly Lake Erie fishing report can be viewed <here>. Anglers/boaters can view current lake conditions off Cleveland at the following link: <City Of Cleveland Water Intake Crib Cam>.
City of Lakewood Streambank Stabilization/Fishing Access Project. FYI, a project is slated for early 2016 to improve streambank stability and offer angler access on the Rocky River on City of Lakewood property near the animal shelter. You can view diagrams of the plan below, and learn more about this project <here>.
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
Bryan reports "We landed a few bigger largemouth at Hinckley lake. They were in the 14" range. Caught on a salamander jig." (photos courtesy of Bryan Zacharias).
This trophy 12 pound walleye was caught by a shore angler at E55th on Sunday (photo courtesy of Jen Brumfield).
Brian caught some beautiful steelhead by the Rocky River marina this week (photos courtesy of Brian Smothers).
Pew, Deth, and Si caught some beautiful walleye casting from shore at Edgewater Park this week (photo courtesy of Ranger Chelsea McLellan).
Brion caught this Rocky River chrome after dark on Saturday (photo courtesy of Brion Mcutcheon).
Jon was another angler out after dark this week, and was rewarded with a Fish Ohio 29.5" walleye trolling at Edgewater Park (photo courtesy of Jon Brauer).
Anglers are catching steelhead, walleye, and yellow perch from shore at E55th. I watched one angler land a big walleye on a jig and minnow under a bobber during a recent brief stop there.
Charlie and buds had a good week of steelhead fishing on the local streams (photo courtesy of Charlie Seibolt).
Scott was the latest angler to land a Rocky River brown trout this week. A fair number of these fish stray from other states, like PA and NY, into Ohio streams annually (photo courtesy of Scott Heidrich).
Mike reports "Here is a nice steelhead caught on the Chagrin River on Wednesday November
25th. Also caught a skipper. Both were catch and release." (photo courtesy of Mike Santarelli).
?�n
The Arroyo family continues to make some great walleye catches along the Lake Erie shoreline using blue/silver Husky Jerk stickbaits (photos courtesy of Matt Arroyo).
Congratulations are in order to Josh- "Caught this gal Friday 27th of Nov. On two beads under a float. Measured 20 1/2" and was my first of the season!" (photo courtesy of Josh Betz).
Will had a great week on the Chagrin River. He shares "I went 4 for 8 using spawn and jigs. There were several other fisherman and I witnessed about 20-25 other steelhead hooked that morning from the same pool. 17 or so were hooked by a first time steelhead angler, or at least he claimed to be! He was using minnows and jigs." (photos courtesy of Will Ellis).
The Linda Mae out of Wildwood Marina is wrapping up their season with a bang in terms of diversity, not only catching some big yellow perch, but also a bunch of white bass and a few steelhead and big walleyes?�n (photos courtesy of Wildwood Marina).
An updated Shadow Lake depth map is available <here>. Other recently completed lake depth maps are available <here>.
Learn more about an upcoming City of Lakewood project to stabilize the streambank and offer angler access along the Rocky River at this <link>.
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.