November 14, 2019

In late fall steelhead trout are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are offering decent fishing conditions today.  Steelhead remain the most concentrated in the northern portion of the rivers closer to Lake Erie. 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 nearshore anglers have been targeting steelhead and walleye.

When Lake Erie is not too kicked up by winds, steelhead are biting off the rocks and breakwalls along the Cleveland shoreline.  Of these spots, Edgewater Park breakwalls by the boat launch, Wendy Park and E55th breakwall are most protected by the outer city breakwall during wavier conditions. Casting a spoon (such as a 2/5 oz Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are a good for connecting with fall lakefront steelhead trout that requires no more than a medium action spinning rig spooled with 8-10 lb monofilament line.  A bobber with a 1/32 oz jig tipped with minnow or maggots suspend 3-6 feet below is also a good producer in the aforementioned areas.  A nightcrawler suspended under a bobber on a bare hook can also work well.  A longer noodle rod is best for fishing floats.  Be especially careful of icy conditions along the shoreline rocks and breakwalls during wintery conditions, with ice cleats being a good safety investment.

Local stream levels have receded after being moderately elevated and stained earlier this week and are offering decent fishing conditions.  Fishing this week has been fair with most steelhead being caught in the northern river sections closer to the lake.  Expect lots of fallen leaves in the rivers, though, as well as an abundance of emerald shiner for angler's baits to compete with by the marina on the Rocky River.  The Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers, as well as Euclid Creek, have all produced some steelhead lately.  River steelhead will hit spoons and spinners, as in the lake, as well as dime to nickel sized brightly colored spawn sacks or small marabou jigs tipped with maggots drifted near the river bottom under a float.  Fly fishers use egg patterns, stremers (Clouser minnows and wooly buggers) and nymphs as the water clears.  As winter weather sets in look for fish to be concentrated in deeper, slow pools where a well controlled drift using a float will shine. 

On October 9th and 10th the Ohio & Erie canal fishing area (off E49th Street) was stocked with 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout (including a few dozen golden rainbow trout) and 600 lbs of farm raised channel catfish.  Additionally, Wallace Lake was stocked with largemouth bass and big bluegill and Beyer's Pond was stocked with bass, sunfish and channel catfish this fall, as well.

The walleye bite has been very good after dark along the Cleveland shoreline when lake conditions permit.  Anglers have been connecting by casting lures like Husky Jerk, Bandit, Rattle Trap, and Perfect 10 stickbaits at dusk and after dark along the Cleveland shoreline.  Wendy Park pier and E55th breakwall are more protected from wind than Edgewater and Wildwood park shorelines.  Some yellow perch have been caught at E55th breakwall recently on emerald shiners fished on crappie rigs on the bottom.  The ODNR Division of Wildlife weekly Lake Erie fishing report can be viewed <here>.

Emerald Necklace and E55th Marina Shops Extended Hours for the Convenience of Fall Anglers and Boaters *NOTE NEW THIS WEEK EXPANDED EXTENDED HOURS AT E55TH ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS*    For the first time we are offering extended fall hours at our marina shops, as follows:

 

E.55th Marina Store will be holding extended winter hours in 2019! Continuing until November 16th, the marina store will be open on Thursdays 9 AM - 3 PM and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 AM - 6 PM. The store will be selling marine fuel, minnows, nightcrawlers, tackle and hot coffee for those looking to hook into a trophy walleye or jumbo perch. Call the marina office with any questions (216) 431-3280

 

At the Emerald Necklace Marina on the Rocky River, starting now and continuing until December 19th, the marina store will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 9 AM - 3 PM. The store is expanding stock with minnows, maggots and other great products to assist in your quest for a chrome steelhead! The shop also has hot coffee and snacks but WILL NOT offer fuel.  Call the marina office directly with any questions (216) 226-3030.

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
 

Daniel, a member of the St Ignatius HS Fishing Club, shared photos of a pair of nice steelhead he caught fly fishing a smaller local creek this past weekend (photos courtesy of Daniel Vrablic).





Casey visited the CLE area from Wisconsin specifically to chase walleye from the shoreline this past weekend- and was not disappointed (photos courtesy of Casey Powell).




Fran and Sam caught fresh chrome steelhead by the marina this morning on jigs tipped with maggots or minnow under a bobber (photos courtesy of Bill Mantle).




On Monday Max caught a pair of Chagrin River steelies on jigs (photos courtesy of Max Madden).



Ed reports "The rain was stirring them up on Veteran's Day near the marina, hitting on blue/silver and all gold 1/3 Cleos." (photo courtesy of Ben).
 



Rick caught some Chagrin River steelhead casting Little Cleo spoons on Friday (photos courtesy of Rick Bower).







Father and son Brian and Zach made some memories on the river this week (photos courtesy of Brian Zaptocky).



Jim had a good day by the marina on Friday.  It started out slow with spinners so he switched to a green and black jig tipped with maggots and minnow and that what the fish wanted (photo courtesy of Jim Gib).



Carmen caught a nice buck steelie in the Rocky yesterday (photo courtesy of Carmen Colagiovanni).



Dave caught a chromer by the Rocky River marina after dark (photo courtesy of Dave Bowser).





Last Thursday I hosted a stream biology workshop for the Great Lake Erie Educators Exchange on Furnace Run, a tributary of the Cuyahoga River in the National Park, and I was surprised to sample an adult steelhead.  From the looks of the fish I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't "wild", or bred in a stream and returned as an adult fish.