As late spring transitions into summer, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include steelhead trout, stocked trout, panfish, catfish, walleye, yellow perch, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. The rivers are elevated and muddy at the moment. 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>.
The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are elevated and muddy at the moment. Anglers can keep an eye on the flow gage to determine when water levels are dropping and leading to fishable conditions. Taking the spotlight this time of year are lake-run smallmouth bass and channel catfish. These species are present in deeper, rocky holes throughout the Rocky and Chagrin rivers. For bass, good bets are 3-4" dark olive or brown tube jigs bumped along the bottom. Catfish like shrimp, chicken liver, and nightcrawlers. A live crayfish or minnow will catch either species. Note: smallmouth bass may not be kept in Lake Erie or the Rocky River downstream of the Detroit Road bridge between May 1 and June 24. Freshwater drum (sheepshead), white suckers, white perch, sunfish species, and a lagging steelhead are all other possible river catches at this time.
Last week we stocked channel catfish (1,400 pounds split evenly) and rainbow trout (1,300 pounds) in Wallace Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area in anticipation of the Childrens' Spring Fishing Derbies we just hosted. Ohio Division of Wildlife also stocked 3,000 trout at the canal this past Friday. Lots of these fish remain and offer an outstanding fishing opportunity. Trout hit well on PowerBait fished near the bottom, jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms suspended below a bobber, minnows, and smaller spoons and spinners. Catfish hit well on chicken liver and shrimp. Either species can be caught on a worm fished on the bottom. Please note the current seasonal trout regulations: Lake Erie and all streams 5/day minimum size 12" (post May 15, it was 2/day prior to that date), 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.
Rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, freshwater drum and sunfish species are biting along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie on offerings such as tube jigs and live minnows. Walleye are also biting along the Cleveland shoreline after dark on Husky Jerk and Perfect 10 style stickbaits. Yellow perch are being caught from shore intermittently at E55th on emerald shiners fished on crappie rigs on the bottom, as well. Various panfish are being caught around laklefront marina areas. The ODNR Division of Wildlife weekly Lake Erie fishing report can be viewed
<here>.
Handicapped Fishing Outing This Saturday May 27. This Saturday May 27 from 9-1:00 we are hosting a collaborative handicapped fishing outing at Ledge Lake in Hinckley Reservation with the assistance of City of Middleburg Heights and the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders. All bait and gear is provided free of charge and 200 pounds of trout are being stocked for the event. Although the focus will be assisting people with physical and/or mental disabilities, anyone is welcome.
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
md@clevelandmetroparks.com.
Tight Lines,
Mike
Note: The fishing report is updated monthly in June, July, and August and weekly every other month
2018 Cleveland Metroparks Registered Fishing Guides (name, company, contact)
#18-001 Monte Casey, The Steelhead Guide, montecasey@roadrunner.com www.steelheadguide.com
#18-002 Jeffery Liskay, Silver Fury Guide Service & Schools, jeffliskay@gmail.com (440) 781-7536
#18-003 Josh Trammell, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com (888) 453-5899
#18-004 Joseph Beno, On The Swing, Joseph93935@hotmail.com (440) 667-2278
#18-005 Daniel Bennett, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com (888) 453-5899
#18-006 Brad Dunkle, Wildwood Anglers LLC, brad@wildwoodanglers.com (419) 540-8585
#18-007 Nathan Miller, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com (888) 453-5899
#18-008 Justin Pribanic, Chagrin River Outfitters, jpribanic20@gmail.com (724) 799-5011
#18-009 Patrick Robinson, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com (888) 453-5899
#18-010 Travis Larson, Hatch Run Fly Fishing, troutbum814@gmail.com (814) 706-1958
#18-011 Mario Chance, Chagrin River Outfitters, mariochance1@gmail.com (330) 984-3086
#18-012 Don Mathews, Steelhead School, www.steelheadschool.com (330) 565-5457
More information on Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Guide Permit requirements, including the permit application, you may check the following link: Fishing Guide Permit Program
Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund
Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund helps provide a rewarding fishing experience to Northeast Ohio anglers through the stocking of rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and other sport fish. The Fund also supports children's fishing derbies and creation and restoration of essential habitat in the ponds, lakes, and rivers within Cleveland Metroparks.
For more information or to make a gift to Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund, including a web donation option, please visit: <Fishing Fund Donations Online>