***Thursday June 23 afternoon update: Farm raised channel catfish were stocked today in Ledge (450 pounds) and Judge's (150 pounds) lakes. The fish average 1-3 pounds.***
***Thursday June 16 afternoon update: Farm raised channel catfish were stocked today in Shadow (700 pounds) and Ranger (300 pounds) lakes. The fish average 1-3 pounds.***
As we move into early summer, highlight species targeted around Cleveland Metroparks include smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass, panfish, channel catfish, and common carp. To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data> <Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>. Please note: the Fishing Blog is updated once a month in June, July, and August and back to weekly in September.
Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the river during the day in early summer, and often move to the heads of such pools in the early morning and evening hours to feed actively. A dark olive or brown tube jig of about 4?�� length is one of the best producers of bass in the river. ?��Smallies?�� also bite well on live bait (ie: minnow, crayfish, and leeches), lures (ie: spinners and minnow plugs), and flies (ie: crayfish patterns, Clouser minnows, dark brown or olive sculpin or muddler minnow patterns). Bass of all sizes are abundant bass in the river, with a healthy number of trophy fish up to (and over) 20 inches in length available. It has been very encouraging to see most anglers releasing the larger bass recently so that these fine gamefish can be caught again. Also, note that all smallmouth bass must be released immediately if caught downstream of the Detroit Road bridge through June 24th. Rock bass are also present in the same river areas as smallmouth, and can be caught using the same offerings listed above.
Channel catfish and large carp are also present in some of these same areas in the river, and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water. Good numbers of channel catfish stocked in May also remain to be caught at Wallace Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area, as well as several smaller Metroparks waters. More catfish will be stocked at various locations in June, as well. Catfishing is usually best during lower light conditions using baits such as nightcrawlers, minnows, chicken liver, and processed dough baits. A good number of larger catfish are moving into the river from Lake Erie on their spawning run. Resident channel catfish are available in the river all summer.
Some large carp (some exceeding 15 pounds) will be found in the northern river reaches throughout the month, as well. Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails. A growing contingent of fly anglers looking for a challenge are targeting carp with nymphs and crayfish imitations, as well. The key to fishing for either carp or catfish is fishing on (or very near) the river/lake bottom. In addition, freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch, and bullhead catfish are also abundant in the northern river reaches (north of Morley Ford) in early summer. For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing a nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a sinker.
Summer means family fishing time for many folks, and panfish fit the bill perfectly for a leisurely picnic and fishing outing. Anglers seeking panfish have experienced decent fishing at most of the ponds and lakes in the Park District in the past week. Crappie, bluegill, and other sunfish species can be taken with a number of offerings, but a waxworm or redworm on a small hook (or tiny jig) suspended under a stick float and fished around a weedbed or shoreline brush is always a good choice. Wallace Lake, Shadow Lake, and Lakefront Reservation are just a few of many places in the Park to wet a line for various panfish species. Largemouth bass fishing is often best in Wallace and Hinckley lakes, although bass can be found in most park waters.
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. Yellow perch and walleye are biting off of Cleveland, as well. 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>
Rocky River Clean-Up Saturday June 4. The annual Rocky River volunteer clean-up will be held Saturday June 4 from 9:00-noon, to be followed immediately by a hot dog cookout to thank our valued volunteers. This is a collaborative effort between caring citizens, Rocky River Watershed Council, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, local groups (such as Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Boy Scouts) and Cleveland Metroparks. We will be meeting at 9:00am sharp at the picnic shelter at Scenic Park (near the marina) to form into groups and discuss our plan of attack to clean-up the river. All are welcome at this family/kid friendly event, and don?�+t forget to come dressed to possibly get a bit wet and muddy.
Boating & Fishing Fest at East 55th Marina on Saturday June 11. The free Boating & Fishing Fest will be held Saturday June 11th at East 55th Marina from 11:00am-6:00pm. Enjoy a day of fishing and boating info, fishing for kids, boat rides, food, music, and more! This is a free event.
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
Joshua caught this 19", 3.75 pound, rainbow trout at Wallace Lake on May 27 (photo courtesy of Dorel Stefan).
Nice job to Joe on learning some new local waters- "On May 29th I went out to the Lakefront Reservation, the park behind it and then hopped over to E. 72nd and fished where all the boats are parked behind the Lake. If you want you can add these to your blog whenever the next one goes up. I used Gary Yamamoto Senko worms on just the hook. 3 fish, I'll take it anyday and it was my first time fishing all those places" (photos courtesy of Joe Greve).
On June 1st Jarred caught this 8 lb 4 oz sheepshead by the Rocky River marina after dark. The bruiser drum bit shrimp on the bottom and took 10 minutes to reel in (photo courtesy of Jarred Bugg).
Adam took the 'yak out on Wallace recently and caught a fine 17" rainbow trout among his catch. He upkeeps a nice multi-species blog at coolwaterfish.com (photos courtesy of Adam Eibling).
Adam caught some fine channel cats while night fishing at the Rocky River boat ramps. They bit on his "secret" stink bait concoction (photos courtesy of Adam Davenport).
Tony caught this fine largemouth bass at Lakefront Reservation on a rubber minnow (photo courtesy of Tony Cilluffo).
Despite the blurry pic you can still tell what a bruiser walleye Mark caught by the mouth of the Rock from his rubber raft. Just watch those teeth and hooks in when you land a fish in that raft, buddy! (photo courtesy of Mark Forbush).
Matt has been having a blast catching quality smallmouth, largemouth, and rock bass along the Lake Erie shoreline. Rubber crayfish in green-pumpkin color have been the ticket to success for him (photos courtesy of Matt Arroyo).
Fish all over, like this Rocky River smallie, have been munching down cicada pattern flies in areas of their emergences (photo courtesy of Jeremy Peppeard).
Congrats to Greg on landing this trophy 11.75" rock bass along the Cleveland shoreline (photo courtesy of Greg Young).
Attendees of the Ken Mantkowski Memorial Handicapped Fishing Outing at Ledge Lake on Saturday May 28 enjoyed nice weather, hot dogs, and some willing fish. Trout bit best on bait fished right o the bottom. Thank you to our partners Ohio Central Basin Steelheders and Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities for making this annual offering possible.
THANK YOU to our great group of hard working volunteers who joined us for the 2016 Rocky River Clean-up on June 4th! A higher resolution copy can be found <here>. And folks who want an even better copy can send me an email to request one: [email protected]
Any remaining steelhead that perish in the rapidly warming streams don't go to waste. Photographer Joe Bojc took these great shots of a Great Blue Heron eating a ~4 lb steelhead trout in the Chagrin River. Have doubts the bird could swallow the fish and/or fly off after? Well, I can tell you that I personally witnessed a heron do exactly that with a steelhead this size on another stream years ago! (photos courtesy of Joe Bjoc).
Emma is "The Dragonfly Whisperer".
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.