In early winter, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include steelhead trout, stocked trout, and walleye. The Rocky River and other area streams are largely filled with ice and slush following an arctic blast this week. When the streams are not frozen anglers can monitor 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 can interfere with reliable flow gage readings). A combined 3,000 lbs of rainbow trout were stocked at Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge's, and Ranger lakes over the past two weeks and the very first ice fishers are cautiously venturing out to pursue them. When conditions permit walleye and steelhead are still being caught along the Cleveland lakefront shoreline.
Area streams are largely filled with ice and slush following a week of arctic temperatures. There is still a limited amount of open water, but it's disappearing rapidly. But ice tends to come and go with thaw in a typical winter, so the ice is likely not here to stay until spting. Bait often rules in winter, with dime size spawn sacks, live/salted minnows, and small jigs tipped with maggots/waxworm all being among the top producers. The Cuyahoga River in Brecksville Reservation typically stays more open than other local stream reaches during harsher winter periods.
Decent catches of steelhead are still being reported along the Lake Erie shoreline this week, especially at E55th breakwall, even though even the lajkefront is getting ice and slush. 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). Slow down retrieves on your lures in colder coditions of winter. Night walleye anglers are also still making good catches at E55th from the shore casting crankbaits, with with larger Husky Jerks and Perfect 10 models being top producers. Make sure to bring a long handled net and cleats for icy shoreline areas.
A total of 3,000 lbs of rainbow trout were stocked in Metroparks lakes over the past two weeks. On Wednesday December 13th we stocked 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. Some coho salmon, stocked back in October, are still being caught at Wallace Lake on the same baits being fished for trout, as well. The size of the trout averages from 1-2 pounds, with a few larger, and the fish are colorful as a result of our supplier including beta carotene in their diet. Along with the predominantly standard rainbow trout are a few brown trout and brook trout for variety. The second (and final) round of winter trout will go into the same lakes around late January/early February.
Trout are also available at Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area down the hill from CanalWay Visitor Center off E49th Street. Trout bite well on PowerBait, jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms, and smallish jigging spoons (such as Forage Minnow and Swedish Pimple). 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. A second (and final) round of winter trout will be released in about a month.
The very first ice fishers are cautiously beginning to venture on to smaller bodies of water, such as Wallace, Ledge, and Shadow lakes. Since it is early in the ice fishing season I'll offer some safety considerations. Sadly, an ice fisherman in northern Pennsylvania drowned this week when he ventured onto ice reported to be <3 inches thick. 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 always fish with a friend, let someone know where you'll be, and focus on areas near where other anglers are already fishing. If we do receive good ice this winter we hope to hold an ice fishing fundraiser derby, likely in mid February. Stay tuned for details on that.
Winteriffic Ice Fishing Offering. Cleveland Metroparks annual Winteriffic event will be held on Sunday January 7th. We always schedule an ice fishing activity at Wallace Lake associated with the event, but typically need to cancel it roughly half of the time due to unsafe ice conditions. But this year ice is shaping up great and I'm optimistic. All gear, bait, and instruction is provided free. The two offerings are from 1:30-2:30pm and again from 3:00-4:00pm. Stay tuned to this report for confirmation of this activity and more info here:
<Winteriffic Ice Fishing>.
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 .
Happy Holidays,
Mike