***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May*** As we begin our approach to fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include steelhead trout, smallmouth bass, carp, panfish, and channel catfish. Several anglers reported catching smaller skipper steelhead (16-20" fish) in the northern reaches of the Rocky River this week. 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>. Lake Erie anglers are targeting walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and panfish, and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.
Early steelhead first show up around off the rocks at Edgewater and E55th, Wildwood Park, and in the northernmost river sections by the lake. A few anglers reported hooking a steelhead off the shore at Edgewater and within a mile of the CLE shoreline this week. 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. As the river level dropped and cleared this week several anglers reported catching smaller skipper steelhead (16-20" fish) in the northernmost mile of the Rocky River this week. One seasoned angler I know well caught 15 this week, and another reliable source reported catching 6 in one morning by the marina. Things traditionally start to heat up with the steelhead fishing into October.
Anglers are also pursuing a mix of warmwater species in the streams. Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the river during the day in 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). There have been a shocking number of baby walleye in our streams lately, as well! Please be gentle handling these cigar size fish from the outstanding 2018 hatch.
Anglers at our inland lakes and ponds are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish. On Monday we released 746 largemouth bass, sunfish,and channel catfish at Beyer's Pond following the Middleburgh Heights Family Fishing Days this past weekend. Wallace Lake, Ledge Lake, and Shadow Lake are a few other spots worth that can be worth poking around in early fall.
Rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, freshwater drum and sunfish species can be found along the Cleveland shoreline in summer and can be caught on offerings such as tube jigs, dropshot rigs and live bait. Some good eater size walleye (15-20 inches) have been found in water as shallow as 16-24 feet deep by Cleveland area boating anglers, although more consistent catches are being made in 68-70 FOW. Yellow perch fishing off Cleveland has been heating up off Wildwood Park in 32-38 foot of water. The ODNR Division of Wildlife weekly Lake Erie fishing report can be viewed
<here>.
Steelhead Expo at the Rocky River Nature Center is this Saturday September 22ndh. A great way to kick off the steelhead season is to attend the annual Steelhead Expo, which will be held at the Rocky River Nature Center this Saturday September 22nd. This event is a collaborative effort between the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Cleveland Metroparks and will offer a full day of expert speakers and seminars, vendors, and other related information to kick off the fall steelhead season. There is no charge for the event but OCBS, a non-profit sportman's group which is very active in the local fishing and conservation communities, is offering a raffle as a fundraiser so donations or participation in the raffle is encouraged. You can check out the OCBS website and find out details regarding the event at this link:
<Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders website>.
Rocky River Watershed Council Fundraiser at Slim & Chubby's on September 22nd. Immediately following the Steelhead Expo the Rocky River Watershed Council is having a fundraiser at Slim & Cubby's in Strongsville (12494 Prospect Road) from 5-8:00pm. For only $35 attendees get unlimited appetizers and drinks and can partake in a silent auction and raffle all to benefit watershed protection efforts! RSVP at
www.myrockyriver.org and walk-ins are welcome. Make a full day and stop by after the Steelhead Expo!
Local Chapter of Project Healing Waters Fundraiser. Monte Casey wanted to share an
<info page> regarding a fundraiser for the local chapter of Project Healing Waters.
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