October 18, 2018

In fall anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams are pursuing steelhead trout, as well as a surprise number of walleye in the northernmost river reaches.  The Rocky River is currently low in level and fairly clear and will remain that way until our next significant rain.  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>.  Nearshore Lake Erie anglers are targeting walleye, steelhead, bass (largemouth and smallmouth), and yellow perch.  Anglers at Ohio & Erie Canal are catching recently stocked rainbow trout and channel catfish. 

The Rocky River is flowing low and fairly clear and will remain that way until we recieve some significant precipitation.  A growing number of steelhead turned up this week off the rocks/breakwalls at Edgewater, E55th/E72nd, Wildwood Park, and in the northernmost river sections by the lake (especially around the Rocky River boat ramps).  Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with an early steelhead trout.  Things will continue to heat up as the weather further cools.

Anglers at our inland lakes and ponds are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish. A highlight this week has been the rainbow trout (1,000 lbs) and farm raised channel catfish (600 lbs) that were stocked in the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area last week.  The Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked 1,000 yearling (juvenile) channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal a few weeks ago, as well.  Our lakes/ponds are scheduled to be stocked with rainbow trout around mid December.

Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum, walleye, and panfish species can also be found along the Cleveland shoreline in early fall and can be caught on offerings such as tube jigs, dropshot rigs, crankbaits, and live bait.  Increasingly good catches of walleye are being made along the Cleveland shoreline after dark as the weather cools.  Yellow perch fishing off Cleveland continues to sputter along off Wildwood Park in 32-38 foot of water.  The ODNR Division of Wildlife weekly Lake Erie fishing report can be viewed <here>.

CMNH Trout Club News:  Hank Patterson Event This Saturday October 20.   The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) Trout Club is hosting Hank Patterson (fly fishing comedian/entertainer) for an event from 6:00-9:00pm on the evening of October 20th. Hank will release his new video and do a Q&A as the headline guest.  Before Hank goes on stage they will have beer and whiskey, food, and offer 6 seminar tables (Cleveland Metroparks will be hosting one of them). Tickets are available <here>.

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

Jerry reported from the Rocky this morning this morning "The last 2 days the hot action at the marina on blue and chrome Little Cleos.  Not a lot of size" (photo courtesy of Jerry Roman).



Keith caught a nice Cuyahoga River chromer this morning, which happened to be his first river steelie ever.  He's caught plenty of them along the lake shoreline (photo courtesy of Bill Mantle).




John was targeting walleye at E55th and was surprised by a nice size northern pike.  John caught a surprise muskie casting from shore at Esdgewater a few months back, too (photos courtesy of John Winters).



Greg reported "I scored my first one of the year on Friday, October 12th.  A minnow on a jig head worked. By the Fairview Bridge is where I caught it.  It was released fine, and swam off." (photo courtesy of Greg Palka).



Richard was targeting steelhead on the Chagrin River when he was surprised by this channel catfish (photo courtesy of Richard Michael).



Congratulations to DeAngelo on catching his first steelhead of the season at E55th breakwall this week (photo courtesy of DeAngelo Williams).








Warren and his buddies are doing great for walleye casting along the CLE shoreline after dark (photos courtesy of Warren Feucht).




Despite the low, clear water Brad is scoring some steelhead in the Rock (photos courtesy of Brad Gardner).





The Butram family came out to Fall Family Fishing Fest this past Saturday and the kids scored a largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill (photos courtesy of Corey Butram).


















The weather was cold and rainy for Fall Family Fishing Fest and the fishing was slow-  but that didn't stop lots of families from enjoying the morning with us this past Saturday!






Yestrday a Westlake HS advanced placement biology class joined us to sample fish at the Scranton Road Restoration Project along the Cuyahoga River.  We collected 13 different kinds of fish in a short sampling session, which included juvenile walleye and yellow perch and adult largemouth bass and channel catfish.