In late winter, highlight species targeted by anglers in Cleveland Metroparks include stocked trout, steelhead trout, and panfish. The Rocky River and other area streams are elevated and muddy with quite a bit more rain in the forecast. To keep a handle on stream conditions anglers can check 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: the NEORSD station sustained some ice damage during the thaw and is being repaired). A combined 3,000 lbs of rainbow trout were stocked at Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge's, and Ranger lakes in late January,
and these lakes are currently offering open water fishing opportunities. The Lake Erie marina and harbor areas are also largely ice free at this time and are offering steelhead trout, northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish.
Area streams have been elevated and muddy all week and with more rain on the way this scenario is unlikely to change for the better by the weekend. Smaller tributaries, such as Euclid Creek at Wildwood Park, will drop and clear more rapidly than the larger rivers and have offered up some steelhead this week. In stained water a brightly colored spawn sack about the size of a nickel has been the top producer, although bright or contrasting colored jig and fly patterns also catch muddy steelhead under such conditions. Anglers can look forward to some of the best steelhead fishing of the season as the river levels recede and begin to clear.
Ice fishing came to an abrupt halt this week but the Cleveland shoreline marinas and harbors on Lake Erie atre currently offering open water and anglers are making good catches of steelhead, along with northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. Places producing include Edgewater and Wildwood parks boat ramp areas and East 55th breakwall. The last of the ice is melting at East 72nd/Gordon Park boat ramp area. For steelhead a medium size Little Cleo spoon (or similar) or jig tipped with minnow or maggots suspended under a float are top producers. For northern pike and largemouth bass a white and silver spinnerbait is often a producer.
Our inland lakes are offering open water fishing opportunities at this time. We stocked 3,000 pounds of trout in late January, as follows: January 22nd Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (600 lbs) and Judge's (150 lbs) lakes and on January 24th Wallace (1,400 lbs) and Ranger (100 lbs) lakes. Most impressive were the Wallace Lake batch- these fish were hands down the best bunch of trout that I've ever had the privilege of stocking is terms of size and species diversity. The average rainbow trout was between 1-2 lbs, but there were many trophy fish in the 5-10 lb range in the mix. And there were plenty of brook and brown trout up to 2 lbs, and even a peppering of foot long golden rainbow trout. These fish complement the 3,000 pounds stocked back in mid-December at the same locations. This concludes our scheduled winter trout stocking. Some trout also remain from an October stocking at Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area down the hill from CanalWay Visitor Center off E49th Street.
Trout typically bite well on PowerBait, jigs tipped with a few maggots/waxworms, and smaller spinners (such as Rooster Tail). 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, Judge's and Ranger lakes, and 5/day no size limit at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal. Please note: Ledge Lake is posted as catch and release fishing only until further notice. We tentatively plan to begin spring stocking of rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River at Millstream Run Reservation around mid-March. Stay tuned to the fishing report for details on that.
Fly Fishing Film Tour on March 3rd. On Saturday March 3rd the very popular national Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) with be stopping in Cleveland at the Museum of Natural History. Get your tickets soon as this fun event sells out every year! Cleveland Metroparks is a Supporting Sponsor again this year. More here: <F3T CLE>.
5th Annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby Fundraiser on April 7. On Saturday April 7th we will be hosting the fifth annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby on the Rocky River. Trophies, prizes for three largest steelhead, raffles, and a cookout are all part of the day's festivities for this fun event where anglers must fish for steelhead with a kiddie fishing pole! I didn't think we would be able to top last year in terms of the amazing prize packages, but lead organizer Mark Warren and his friend Greg Young have already rounded up prizes and
<sponsors> for the event that exceed last year- and they are still adding to them weekly! Proceeds from the fundraiser event go to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund. A
<website> has been set up for the event, as well as a Facebook page. Local angler Andy Wahl put together this outstanding
<video> detailing last year's event. Don't miss this fun event for a great cause!
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