October 31, 2019

In fall steelhead trout are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  The Rocky River is on the rise with more rain coming through tonight, but this is should improve low water conditions in local streams as water levels recede into the weekend.  Steelhead are concentrated in the northern portion of the river 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, but huge winds and resulting waves are in the forecast in the coming days.   Ohio & Erie canal was stocked with channel catfish and rainbow trout recently (details below).

Good catches of steelhead have continued this week off the rocks at Edgewater Park, E55th breakwall, Wendy Park and Wildwood Park. High winds and resulting big waves in the forecast will likely be foiling this opportunity for the next several days, though.  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 (note: this will increase to three rods on Lake Erie starting on January 1, 2020), 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 steelhead have been known to pull unattended rods into the lake!  On the unusual catch front one lucky angler caught a lake trout on a spoon at E72nd this week (see photo below).

Steelhead are also in the northern river sections by the lake, although the river level is rising from rain and lots of leaves are in the river can hamper an angler's ability to make clean drifts in some areas.  Anglers would be wise to check the flow data (link above) before heading out.  Also, there are lots of emerald shiners by the marina making it difficult for an angler's bait to stand out and get attention.  This scenario affords a great opportunity to net, salt and freeze some shiners for later perch or steelhead fishing, though.  Fall 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.  Steelhead fishing in the rivers will continue to improve later into fall, especially following any significant rain that raises water levels. 

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

The walleye continued to bite very good after dark along the Cleveland shoreline this week, although a very rough lake forecast will put this on hold for the next few days.  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.  Yellow perch fishing off Cleveland perked up somewhat off E55th this week (see photos below).  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

 

Olivia caught a largemouth bass at Beyer's Pond (photo courtesy of Billy Miranda).



Alex caught her first ever steelhead in the Rocky River on Sunday (photo courtesy of Nick Zarzezny).



Shane caught a fresh Rocky River steelhead on a Mepps spinner (photo courtesy of Ken Stein).




On Tuesday Tom caught a surprise lake trout at E72nd on a blue and silver Little Cleo spoon.  Along with his buddy Rob (bottom pic) they caught a bunch of steelhead on spoons and shiners under floats, as well (photo courtesy of Tom Riley).



This 14" yellow perch was caught at E55th breakwall yesterday (photo courtesy of Sam Horn).



David was fishing the Rocky River on Tuesday afternoon targeting steelhead and was surprised by this nice smallmouth bass (photo courtesy of David Nose).



Congratulations to Mike on catching his first steelhead of the season at E72nd.  It hit an orange and silver KO Wobbler on his second cast (photo courtesy of Mike Pugh).




Anthony Jr and Sr scored some fine walleye at Edgewater Park this week (photos courtesy of Anthony Avancini).



Jarred made a great catch of big white bass at Wildwood Park.  Schools of these fish are very hit or miss, but when they are around the fishing can be fast and furious (photo courtesy of Jarred Bugg).





Mike from Columbia, South Carolina (top pic) was visiting the area and caught a Rocky River steelhead.  Carmen also landed some quality steelies in the river this week (photos courtesy of Carmen Colagiovanni).



Randy caught a trio of tasty walleye casting crankbaits off the rocks at E55th Tuesday night (photo courtesy of Randy Smith).




Father and son Ephraim and Dave caught some chrome bright steelhead by the Rocky River marina (photos courtesy of Ephrain Bowser).



John was casting for walleye off the rocks at Edgewater Park after dark and caught a nice largemouth bass (photo courtesy of John Lusnek).




Ray caught some huge Lake Erie smallmouth bass on swimbaits, including his personal best at 23" with an 18" girth which was 6lb 8oz on a digital scale.  He noted the bites were surprisingly light (photos courtesy of Ray Vargo).



Although catches are always spotty from shore, some yellow perch were caught at E55th breakwall this week (photo courtesy of Shine's Bait & Tackle).




Travis and Ray took a small boat to the Rocky River marina on Monday and were rewarded with some feisty steelhead (photos courtesy of Travis Males).



John reported catching a golden rainbow trout along with a bunch of the standard rainbow trout stocked at the Ohio & Erie Canal (photo courtesy of "Catfish John").




During carp removal via electrofishing at a lake overrun with this invasive species, I found that the largemouth bass stocked for supplementary carp control are doing their job.  My co-worker Claire named this one "Count Chunkula".