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    September 20, 2018

    Parks | Recreation | Fishing Report | September

    September 20, 2018

    Posted: September 20, 2018
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    ***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
     






    Tony has been enjoying the diversity of fish offered by the CLE lakefront and Cuyahoga River this summer (photos courtesy of Tony Cilluffo).




    Ray caught this steelhead about a mile from shore (photos courtesy of Ray Lancaster).





    James shared "All fish were caught from creeks off the Cuyahoga River, all released.  The smallmouth and largemouth were caught today and the white bass was last week, I would like to have them posted into the fishing report.. Thank you" (photos courtesy of James Lilly). 




    Greg was fishing a 1" Gulp minnow jig at Morley Ford on the Rocky River yesterday and was shocked to catch around 15 baby walleye in an hour.  The 2018 hatch was epic and these little fellas are everywhere (photos courtesy of Greg Palka).




    Brad caught some nice walleye and a fine sunset off CLE this week (photos courtesy of Brad Gardner).



    Corey and his 3 sons attended our Hooked on Fishing event last week and he put together this fun <video> on YouTube (video courtesy of Corey Butram).

















    Our 4th annual Family Fishing Day at the Middleburgh Heights pool on September 15 & 16 was a success with lots of fish and smiles!  A sampling of photos from the event is offered above and a full photo album can be viewed <here>.




    746 fish from the Middleburgh Heights derby were released in Beyer's Pond on Monday.  Among the sunfish, largemouth bass, and catfish were four albino channel catfish.





    The Lindae Mae party boat out of Wildwood Marina is finding some yellow perch off Euclid (photos courtesy of Wildwood Marina).



    The Ohio Division of Wildlife is requesting any anglers that catch a lake trout or see one caught in Ohio waters report it to the Fairport Fisheries Research Unit as noted above.

    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.***


    2023 Cleveland Metroparks Registered Fishing Guides
    (name, company, contact)

    • #23-001 Jeff Liskay, Great Lakes Flyfishing LLC, jeffliskay@gmail.com (440) 781-7536
    • #23-002 Monte Casey, The Steelhead Guide, (440) 773-8064, www.steelheadguide.com
    • #23-003 Gareth Thomas, Alley Grabs Guide Service, alleygrabs@gmail.com, (216) 235-5056 
    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.
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