April 30, 2020

In mid-spring steelhead trout and lake-run smallmouth bass are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  Area streams are in good shape currently but we have quite a bit of rain in the forecast that could impact conditions into the weekend.  Anglers can check river conditions at the following links: <Rocky River flow gauge data><Chagrin River flow gauge data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  A total of 800 lbs of mixed trout were stocked at Wallace Lake on Tuesday.

Area streams are in good shape today but we have quite a bit of rain in the forecast leading into the weekend so wise anglers will monitor flow gauge and weather information prior to heading out.  The tide has turned for the spring steelhead run and numbers of post-spawn (aka "dropback") steelhead are outnumbering fresh fish.  Spring steelhead can be caught using all kinds techniques: drifting bait or jigs under floats, dead drifting or swinging flies and casting hardware like spoons, spinners or crankbaits among them. Steelhead numbers will continue to dwindle into early May and and lake-run smallmouth bass are beginning to steal the spotlight.  Lake-run smallmouth bass hit well on a 3-4" dark olive or brown tube jig, lures that imitate minnows (like a white and silver Rooster Tail spinner or Rapala) and live bait (minnows and crayfish).  This time of year anglers can pursue the "Silver and Bronze Challenge"- catching a steelhead and smallmouth bass from a local stream in the same day.

On Tuesday 800 lbs of trout (originally scheduled for the now cancelled spring childrens fishing derbies) were stocked in Wallace Lake.  This batch included some trophy size rainbow trout, as well as a good mix of bonus brook, brown and golden rainbow trout.  A total of 4,400 lbs of trout have been released since March 17 between the East Branch Rocky River and Wallace, Ledge and Ranger lakes and the Ohio Division of Wildlife recently stocked Hinckley and Shadow lakes.  The Ohio Division of Wildlife plans to stock trout in the Ohio & Erie Canal today, as well. The trout Metroparks stocked fish average larger than the state stocked trout, the latter being perfect for kids.  Stocked trout bite on brightly colored PowerBait shaped into dime size balls, 3" rubber trout worms (pink, orange and white), small jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm and small to medium size spinners.  NOTE: the limits on these trout at 3/day at Wallace, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes and 5/day at Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area (there is no size limit, unlike the river where trout need to be minimum length of 12" and you can harvest 2/day this time of year).

The breakwall at E55th, pier at Wendy Park (old Coast Guard station) and rocks/pier at Edgewater Park and E72nd offer a chance at steelhead, walleye, bass (largemouth and smallmouth) and a variety of other species in early spring.  The boat launch ramps at Emerald Necklace (Rocky River), Edgewater, Gordon Park, and Wildwood park are all usable at this time, with courtesy docks having been installed at all locations.  In spring, these harbor areas are good locations to find pre-spawn northern pike and largemouth bass, as well as a variety of panfish species.  A white spinnerbait with silver blades worked slowly is a good early season choice for both bass and pike. The post-spawn shoreline bite for walleye typically picks around Cleveland in late April. 

Gizzard Shad Die-Offs.  Lately I've been recieving quite a few correspondences over the past few weeks about people obseving lots of dead fish in lakefront harbors and the Cuyahoga River closer to Lake Erie.  In all cases reported the fish were gizzard shad.  While unsightly and shocking to those who have not witnessed this before, gizzard shad die-offs are a common and natural occurrence during transitional weather in winter and spring.  This species exhibits a life strategy of reproducing in huge numbers so many can die-off without negative consequnces to the population.  I do appreciate folks reporting anything that seems out of the ordinary in terms of water quality, though, and I thank everyone who reported this and encourage you to report anything that seems out of the ordinary in the future. 

Boat Launch Pay Kiosks Are Installed.  Launch ramp pay kiosks have been re-installed for the boating season at Emerald Necklace (Rocky River), Edgewater, Gordon Park (E72nd St) and Wildwpood Park boat launches.  Boaters can pay daily onsite with a credit card or order an annual pass at the following <link> (Note: allow 2-4 weeks for delivery but printed confirmation at time of purchase can serve as interim launch pass until recieved).  Applies to all powered, trailered watercraft (kayaks and other hand powered watercraft are exempt from launch fees).

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

Max had fun catching bluegill at Wallace Lake on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Corey Butram).



John was drifting a live minnow under a float on the Rocky River yesterday and caught this huge 20" smallmouth bass along with a few fresh steelhead.  Catching a steelhead and smallmouth bass in the rivers in the same day- the "Silver and Bronze Challenge"- is possible right now.  (photo courtesy of John Burkhart).






Owen shared "I met up with my buddy Eric again and we fished the Rocky for steelhead. We got some good sized fish. I also noticed that they are jumping out of the water a lot." (photos courtesy of Owen Seiler).





The Deluca family caught some gorgeous smallmouth bass fishing along the Lake Erie harbors (photos courtesy of Jeff Deluca).





Kelsey and Ross had a great outing catching agressive post-spawn steelhead on the Rocky River (photos courtesy of Ross Bailey).





Carl scored some fine trout on several outings to Wallace Lake this week (photos courtesy of Carl Schweisthal).



Jimmy went fishing with his dad on the Rocky River this week and his dad caught this football of a smallmouth bass (photo courtesy of Jimmy Pease).



Tony shared "Caught this brute fishing one of the local Metropark rivers on a pink and black fly with maggots".  This is commonly known as a "mirror carp" based on the fewer and larger scales, which is caused by a harmless genetic quirk (photo courtesy of Tony Modic).






Ed shared "Still an aggressive bite today around the golf courses (on the Rocky). Check out biggie smalls in the top 5 smallmouth of my life!" (photos courtesy of Ed Schmitt).



David caught this 9” bluegill on a worm and float at Wallace Lake on Tuesday (photo courtesy of David Kratenick).



Michael caught this big golden redhorse sucker while targeting steelhead (photo courtesy of Michael McConnell).





Nick took his new kayak out on a Metroparks lake and caught some rainbow trout and bonus largemouth bass (photos courtesy of Nick Zarzeczny).





On Tuesday we stocked 800 lbs of mixed trout in Wallace Lake, which included some trophy rainbow trout as well as a good bunch of brook, brown and golden rainbow trout.  These were the fish scheduled for the cancelled mid-May children's fishing derbies.