February 20, 2020

In winter steelhead trout are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  Local streams are exhibiting good flow and stain this snd the weekend fishing forecast remains very good.  Anglers can keep an eye on the flow data at the following link: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity>.  A total of 3,000 lbs of trout were stocked at five Metroparks lakes in mid January, as well.

Local streams are offering good flow with a greenish stain this morning and given dry weather in the forecast they will continue to drop and clear into the weekend.  Overnight temperatures in the teens may lead to some slush  tomorrow mornings, but the forecast beyond is mild into the weekend.  A mix of fresh run and more colorful steelhead (that have been in the river awhile) have been being caught by anglers this week, and the entire Main Branch of the Rocky River (from Cedar Point Road bridge north to the emerald Necklace Marina) produced good catches this past weekend.  Newer steelhead anglers can find some reliable spots to get started on the Rocky, Chagrin, Cuyahoga and other streams at this link: <ODNR steelhead fishing river maps>.  Steelhead have been biting on dime to nickel size spawn sacks in bright colors, small marabou jigs (1/32 and 1/64 ounce are most popular) tipped with maggots, live or salted minnows, 3" rubber worms (pink and white have been good) and salmon egg mimmicking beads drifted near the river bottom under a float have all been taking a share of the fish. As the water continues to clear into the weekend, a finesse approach employing smaller offerings, lighter leaders (6 pound flourocarbon is my choice in clear water) and smaller 3-5 gram floats can make a big difference.

In mid January we stocked 3,000 lbs of trout at Wallace (1,400 lbs), Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (600 lbs), Judge's (150 lbs) and Ranger (100 lbs) lakes.  This complements the 3,000 lbs distributed between the same locations back in mid-December.  This was our second and final winter trout stocking.  The size of the trout averages about a pound and a half each, and along with the predominantly standard rainbow trout are good number of bonus golden rainbow trout and brook trout (see photo below).  These trout bite on jigging spoons, brightly colored PowerBait, and small jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm.  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).   Local lakes and ponds currently have a thin ice of crust covering them and anglers are currently fishing from the safety of shore in areas where the water drops off quickly, such as from docks, other platforms, etc.

OCBS Steelhead Workshop on Thursday February 27th.  On February 27th the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders will be holding their annual Steelhead Workshop.  The FREE event will be from 7:30-9:30pm at the Buffalo Wild Wings on Pearl Road located in Strongsville.  There will be a whole array of member hosted stations set up to teach the various techniques, equipment, and other points of interest used for local steelhead fishing.  More at <OCBS website>.

7th Annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby Fundraiser on March 28.  On Saturday March 28th we will be hosting the seventh annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby on the Rocky River.  Trophies, prizes for three largest steelhead, raffles, and a cookout are all part of the day's festivities for this fun event where anglers must fish for steelhead with a kiddie fishing pole!  For the second year in a row we will be offering a children's division, as well. Lead organizers Mark Warren and Greg Young and the rest of the coordinating team have already rounded up an amazing list of prizes and <sponsors>  and they are still adding to them weekly!  Proceeds from the fundraiser event go to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund.  A <website> has been set up for the event, as well as a Facebook page.  PLEASE NOTE: The event headquarters has been moved to South Mastic Woods Picnic Area (immediately south of the Putritas Road bridge), a more central location on the Rocky River that offers almost twice the space.  Don't miss this fun event for a great cause!

Cleveland Metroparks Annual Boat Launch Passes are Now Available.    This week the 2020 season Cleveland Metroparks Boat Launch Pass went on sale.  The base price (there are certain discounts) is $30.   You can purchase in person at Lakefront Administration Office, 8701 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44108 Monday-Friday from 9 AM - 3 PM or online at: <2020 Boat Launch Pass>.  Note: this applies only to motorized watercraft that are trailered.

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

John caught a buck steelhead on the Rocky River by the dog park this week (photo courtesy of John Schultz).



Doug caught his best steelhead of the season on the Rocky River on Saturday (photo courtesy of Doug Reilly).




Jason took his girlfriend fishing on the Rocky and got her into her first two steelhead ever (photos courtesy of Jason Diedrick).






Timmy and a buddy made their first trip to the Rocky River from Pennsylvania on Saturday and here not disappointed.  They were using beads (photos courtesy of Timmy Sheehan).



Nick caught this bruiser 30" steelhead in the Rocky River on Sunday (photo courtesy of Nick Zarzeczny).



Bill caught this steelhead in a slushy Chagrin River this week.  I like the contrast between the fish and the background water in this photo (photo courtesy of Sam Horn).




Joseph found some fishable (not too stained) water quite a way upstream on the Rocky River yesterday and was rewarded with a silvery buck steelhead (photo courtesy of Joseph Jakab).



Tony caught his biggest steelhead of the year on the Cuyahoga River on Saturday (photo courtesy of Tony Cilluffo).




Steelhead can vary greatly in appearance in winter, with fresh run fish being bright and silvery in contrast to very colorful fish that have spent some time in the river (photos courtesy of JP Webb and Tom Riley, respectively).




Greg got out on the Rocky yesterday and got one on a big pink spawn sack in the muddy water (photos courtesy of Greg Palka).



We headed north to seek ice for a short weekend trip and were rewarded with a few nice brown trout.




Mike had to say goodbye to his fishing buddy and noted that Harley never missed a fishing trip in 15 years.  May the wind always blow your ears around at the front of the boat across that Rainbow Bridge, Harley (photos courtesy of Mike Zaleski).