October 17, 2019

In fall steelhead trout are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  The modest bump in flow local streams experienced over the past day will entice more steelhead to enter the northern portions of the watersheds. 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 are primarily targeting steelhead and walleye and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.  Ohio & Erie canal was stocked with channel catfish and rainbow trout last week (details below).

With the return of cooler weather an increasing number of steelhead are being caught off the rocks at Edgewater and E55th, Wildwood Park, and in the northernmost river sections by the lake.  The bump in flow in local streams over the past day or so, albeit modest, has enticed more steelhead into the streams.  The lake has been kicked up with big waves the past two days, but anglers can expect the good fishing along the lakefront to resume when things settle down.  Casting a spoon (such as a 2/5 oz 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.  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.  Since an angler can use two rods in Ohio, one strategy is to cast out a bobber rod with bait and watch it while working a spoon or spinner with the other rod.  But be sure to keep a close eye on the bobber rod, as one unlucky angler had his rod pulled in by a jumping steelhead at Edgewater Park this week!  Steelhead fishing can be expected to further improve later into fall.

Anglers at our inland fishing areas are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish.  Just last week 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 224 largemouth bass and big bluegill and Beyer's Pond was stocked with 848 bass, sunfish and channel catfish over the past 3 weeks.

When the6lake hasn't been too rough walleye are biting after dark along the Cleveland shoreline. Anglers are connecting by casting Husky Jerk or Perfect 10 stickbaits at dusk and after dark at Edgewater Park and E55th breakwall.  Yellow perch fishing off Cleveland continues to be slow.  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.    For the first time we are offering extended fall hours at our lakefront shops, as follows:
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

Steelhead were biting great at E55th breakwall and Edgewater Park before the wind kicked up the lake the past few days (photo courtesy of Norman Allen).




Jarred caught a nice walleye for dinner at Edgewater Park (photos courtesy of Jarred Bugg).



Igor caught a bruiser largemouth bass on Friday night (photo courtesy of Igor Gromilic).



Shaun caught a 14 pound channel catfish from his kayak this week (photo courtesy of Shaun Cassidy).




Brandon caught a trophy walleye off Cleveland (photo courtesy of Brandon Kraemer).



"Lucky" caught a nice steelhead at Edgewater Park on Tuesday.  Mark reports that several were caught between 9:00am and 1:00pm on silver and blue and silver and green K.O. Wobbler spoons (photo courtesy of Mark Forbush).



Brian also caught a fine steelhead on a spoon at Edgewater Park (photo courtesy of Mike Reed).



Melvin caight a big walleye at E55th on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Orenzie Spencer).




Ted took the Nick and Matt to Beyer's Pond and they caught some largemouth bass and channel catfish (photos courtesy of Ted).



Ryan is on the board with this lakefront steelhead (photo courtesy of Ryan Simmons).









John reports "Another fun evening of fishing Lake Erie out of Cleveland, Ohio. Started off casting and jigging around harbor walls where I caught many small sheepsheads plus 1 big Fish Ohio sized. Also caught a channel catfish, a small bass, and some smaller walleye. I finished up a walleye limit trolling stickbaits out along the harbor walls.  I had to take advantage of the relatively calm conditions as the following days were calling for small craft advisories again with waves up to 7 feet. The bites can be great for so many species this time of year, but the Fall winds can often make for rough water. Stay safe and choose your days on the water wisely" (photos courtesy of John Proch).













We had a great day at Fall Family Fishing Fest this past Saturday.  The photos above offer a small sampling of the many fish caught.



This past weekend I had the great fortune to catch and release my second musky exceeding 50" in length (photo courtesy of Elizabeth Kresse).