As we transition into early summer, highlight species targeted around Cleveland Metroparks include smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass, panfish, channel catfish, and common carp. 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>. Please note: the Fishing Blog is updated once a month in June, July, and August and back to weekly in September.
Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the river during the day in early 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 3-4" 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). Bass of all sizes are abundant bass in the river, with a healthy number of trophy lake-run fish available through at least early June. It has been very encouraging to see most anglers releasing the larger bass recently so that these fine gamefish can be caught again. Note: as of May 1 the Lake Erie zone smallmouth/largemouth bass combined bag limit changed to 1 bass/day of 18 inches minimum size. The zone includes Lake Erie waters and (locally) the Rocky River to Detroit Road bridge, Cuyahoga River to Harvard Road bridge, and Chagrin River to Route 283 bridge. Rock bass are also present in the same river areas as smallmouth, and can be caught using the same offerings listed above.
Channel catfish and large carp are also present in some of these same areas in the river, and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water. Good numbers of channel catfish stocked in May also remain to be caught at Wallace Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area, as well as several smaller Metroparks waters. More catfish will be stocked at various locations in late June, as well. Catfishing is usually best during lower light conditions using baits such as nightcrawlers, minnows, chicken liver, and processed dough baits. A good number of larger catfish are moving into the river from Lake Erie on their spawning run. Resident channel catfish are available in the river all summer.
Some large carp will be found in the northern river reaches throughout the month, as well. Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails. A growing contingent of fly anglers looking for a challenge are targeting carp with nymphs and crayfish imitations, as well. The key to fishing for either carp or catfish is fishing on (or very near) the river/lake bottom. In addition, freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch, and bullhead catfish are also abundant in the northern river reaches (north of Morley Ford) in early summer. For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing a nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a sinker.
Summer means family fishing time for many folks, and panfish fit the bill perfectly for a leisurely picnic and fishing outing. Anglers seeking panfish have experienced decent fishing at most of the ponds and lakes in the Park District in the past week. Crappie, bluegill, and other sunfish species can be taken with a number of offerings, but a waxworm or redworm on a small hook (or tiny jig) suspended under a stick float and fished around a weedbed or shoreline brush is always a good choice. Wallace Lake, Shadow Lake, and Lakefront Reservation are just a few of many places in the Park to wet a line for various panfish species. Largemouth bass fishing is often best in Wallace and Hinckley lakes, although bass can be found in most park waters.
Rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, northern pike, catfish, freshwater drum and sunfish species are biting along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie on offerings such as tube jigs and live minnows. The walleye bite has been excellent and the yellow perch bite good in the nearshore waters of Cleveland, as well. The ODNR Division of Wildlife weekly Lake Erie fishing report can be viewed <here>.
Rocky River Clean-Up Saturday June 1. The annual Rocky River volunteer clean-up will be held Saturday June 1 from 9:00-noon, to be followed immediately by a cookout to thank our valued volunteers (thank you to local business Slyman's Restaurant for sponsoring this year's cookout with a donation of 120 hot dogs, buns, and condiments). A big thank you as well to locally owned Earnest Machine for their support on this event for several years running- this year providing multople volunteers as well as donating $500 for event related expenses. Additionally, Cleveland Fishing Co. is offering all attendees 20% off their merchandise (they already donate 5% of all company profits to the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund). This undertaking is a collaborative effort between caring citizens, Rocky River Watershed Council, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, local businesses, groups (such as Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Boy Scouts) and Cleveland Metroparks. We will be meeting at 9:00am sharp at the picnic shelter at Scenic Park (near the marina) to form into groups and discuss our plan of attack to clean-up the river. All are welcome at this family/kid friendly event, and please come dressed to possibly get a bit wet and muddy.
Recent Donations to the Fishing Fund. We've had some generous recent donations to our Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund that I'd like to acknowledge. Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders acquired $1,917 in grant funds from the Ohio Division of Wildlife to support our Spring Children's Fishing Derbies. The Optimist Club of West Suburban Cleveland donated $1,000 to support our children's fishing events, as well. And last but definitely not least the Saint Ignatius High School Fishing Club, lead by teacher (and local angler) Dave Cicetti, raised an impressive $1,000 to support our public fishing programs. Thanks to all who have donated past or present to help make the Cleveland Metroparks urban fisheries program second to none!
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 [email protected] .
Tight Lines,
Mike
Jaidence and Jayce recently caught two smallmouth bass in the Rocky River while fishing with their dad (photo courtesy of Mike Petruska).
This lad caught a longnose gar while fishing the river with his older brother.
Kevin, from Garfield Heights, was fishing Oxbow Lagoon using a finesse jig and craw trailer and landed this fine 2.5 pound largemouth bass (photo courtesy of Kevin Nowak).
David reported getting some nice yellow perch from shore at Edgewater Park, including this 12 incher (photo courtesy of David Wagner).
Steve caught a northern pike in a CLE lakefront harbor (photo courtesy of Sam Horn).
Corey accomplished a personal goal of catching a longnose gar in the Rocky River, and scored some nice smallmouth bass in the process (photos courtesy of Corey Zelinski).
Ed shows off one of the Wallace Lake largemouth bass he landed (photo courtesy of ed Schmitt.
James displays a fine Rocky River smallmouth bass caught recently (photo courtesy of James Lilly).
Nando and Julie had fun catching channel catfish and big freshwater drum at the Ohio & Erie Canal and Cuyahoga River at Scranton Flats (photos courtesy of Nando Fanta).
John caught a nice diversity of gamefish from his kayak along the CLE lakefront. His cool hat is from the Cleveland Fishing Co., which donates 5% of company profits to the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund (photos courtesy of John Proch).
Kevin displays a trophy rock bass from the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Kevin Elfers).
Jarred displays some channel catfish caught in the Cuyahoga River at ohio & Erie Canal Reservation (photos courtesy of Jarred Bugg).
Miles displays a couple of Cuyahoga River bronze beauties (photos courtesy of Miles Boozer).
Sergey, Carl and friends have been catching some nice rainbow trout on the east Branch Rocky River at Bonnie Park (photos courtesy of Carl Schweisthal).
Anglers at E55th have been catching yellow perch, walleye and smallmouth bass on the lake side and various panfish species (bluegill, rock bass, and pumpkinseed sunfish) and largemouth bass on the marina side.
The old Coast Guard station at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River at Wendy Park is a good place to wet a line for yellow perch, walleye and channel catfish in early summer.
Andrew and his brother Matt caught scored some largemouth bass and northern pike at E55th Marina (photos courtesy of Andrew Sowinski).
The former Cleveland Metroparks Rangers are now called the Cleveland Metroparks Police. The photos above are from a recent "Fish with a Cop" outing they hosted at Ohio & Erie Canal (photos courtesy Captain Robert Butler).
Can you name this sunfish species captured at Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation? This one is tough! It is a grren sunfish x pumpkinseed sunfish hybrid.
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.***
2025 Cleveland Metroparks Registered Fishing Guides
(name, company, contact)
#25-001 Jeff Liskay, Great Lakes Flyfishing LLC, [email protected] (440) 781-7536
#25-002 Gareth Thomas, Alley Grabs Guide Service, [email protected] (216) 235-5056
#25-003 Jim Lingenfelter, Wild Ohio Outdoors Guide Service, [email protected], (440) 731-9160
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.