January 11, 2018

In winter, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include stocked trout, steelhead trout, panfish, and walleye.  The Rocky River and other area streams are in the process of thawing and breaking up after having been frozen for the past few weeks.  As the streams continue to thaw the most recent river water level, temperature, and clarity (turbidity) at the following links: <Rocky River USGS flow gage data> <Chagrin River USGS flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. (Note: ice jam can cause fluctuating water levels and lead to erroneous flow gage readings).  A combined 3,000 lbs of rainbow trout were stocked at Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge's, and Ranger lakes in mid to late December and ice fishers have been out pursuing them.  The Lake Erie shoreline ice is breaking up and should be considered unsafe.

Area streams are in the process of thawing after having been frozen for the past few weeks.  Expect muddy water and ice jams in the coming days as this continues, and stay tuned to this report for updates on river conditions as the streams recover to fishable conditions.  The Lake Erie shoreline ice is also breaking up and shopuld be considered unsafe. 

Ice fishers are pursuing rainbow trout on our lakes and ponds, although anglers should use extra caution around the shoreline edges at this time.  On Wednesday December 13th we stocked rainbow trout in Wallace (1,400 lbs) and Ranger (100 lbs) lakes and on Tuesday December 19th we stocked Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (600lbs), and Judge's (150 lbs) lakes.  The size of the trout averages from 1-2 pounds, with a few larger.  The second (and final) round of winter trout is tentatively scheduled to go into the same lakes the week of January 22nd.  Stay tuned to the fishing report for updates on that.  Trout are also available at Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area down the hill from CanalWay Visitor Center off E49th Street. 

Trout, overall, bite on PowerBait, jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms, and smallish jigging spoons (such as Forage Minnow and Swedish Pimple).  This week smaller gold jigging spoons and also live minnows have been the hot baits for trout and largemouth bass.  Please note the current seasonal trout regulations:  Lake Erie and all streams 2/day minimum size 12" (this includes steelhead), 3/day no size limit at Wallace, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes, and 5/day no size limit at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal. 

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.  If the spud bar goes through in one hard strike it is a red flag that you need to get out of that area immediately.  Other safety tips are to carry a set of ice spikes on a cord around your neck, fish with a friend, let someone know where you'll be, and focus on areas near where other anglers are already fishing.  If we continue to get good ice this winter I plan to coordinate an ice fishing fundraiser derby, likely in February.  Stay tuned for details on that. 

Fishing Guide Permit Renewals.    Please note that Fishing Guide Permits expired on December 31, 2017.  Renewal materials are being sent to all of our previously registered guides, but other folks interested in guiding on Cleveland Metroparks waters this year may find a link to the application materials following the photos at the end of this report.  Thank you and may all your clients have fish filled trips in the New Year!

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

Mallory caught a sunfish while ice fishing at Wallace Lake (photo courtesy of Trevor Corbett).



Marty caught this fat rainbow trout at Ledge Lake this afternoon, and caught another right after I took this photo.  He was using PowerBait.



Danny and his son Corey caught several trout and largemouth bass on jigging spoons at Wallace Lake on Sunday morning (photo courtesy of Corey Butram).



Moe, owner of Slyman's Restaurant, caught a colorful rainbow trout in a Metroparks lake on a jigging lure (photo courtesy of Moe Slyman).










Brian found some steelhead along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie before the thaw this week, and even got two friends and his dad their first steelhead through the ice.  Fish were caught jigging a 1/8 oz silver Little Cleo sppon and also on jig tipped with maggots (photos courtesy of Brian Ailor).



Brian gor a pair of Wallace Lake trout this week, although the bite there has become more challenging (photo courtesy of Brian Franko).




Although the bite was slow, an event record 262 people cycled through our ice fishing station at Winteriffic on Sunday and hopefully learned something new and had fun (photos courtesy of Bill Britt).






A few scenes from Wallace Lake on Sunday afternoon.



The Rocky River ice is starting to break up today.  This is Morley Ford this afternoon.  Anglers can expect muddy water and ice jams in the days to come.



Simon is dressed appropriately for a cold day of ice fishing!