March 12, 2020

As late winter transitions into early spring steelhead trout are the highlight in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers.  The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are offering very good fishing conditions today.  There is rain in the forecast tonight and weekend fishing conditions will be dependant on how much we recieve.  If precipitation is minimal, fishing conditions will continue to be good.  Anglers should keep an eye on the flow data at the following link to determine conditions: <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, and spring stocking of the East Branch Rocky River is scheduled to begin next week (conditions dependant).

The Rocky and Chagrin rivers are offering very good fishing conditions today, but there is rain in the forecast tonight.  Weekend steelhead fishing opportunities will be contingent on how much of that we recieve so anglers should keep an eye on the flow trend at the links offered above to determine conditions (a falling or even stable flow into the weekend would be a good indicator).  Streams are offering a good mix of chrome bright fresh run steelhead and more colored, darker fish that have been in the streams for awhile already.  Steelhead are well distributed throughout our area watersheds, although greater concentrations of fresher fish are available closer to the lake.  Steelhead in stained water have been biting best on dime to nickel size spawn sacks in bright colors (hot pink and chartreuse are favorites), and as the water clears 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 will take a greater share of the fish. The quality (size) of better steelhead has been excellent latelty.

Lake-run white suckers are beginning to show up in area streams, as well.  Morley Ford just north of the Lorain Road bridge is a good sucker spot on the Rocky River.  Suckers will gobble worms or grubs/maggots fished on the river botton, as well as small jigs and flies.  Spring suckers are especially good targets for kids, less experienced anglers or folks just learning to fly fish.

Throughout winter we stocked a total of 6,000 lbs of trout between Wallace (2,800 lbs), Shadow (1,500 lbs), Ledge (1,200 lbs), Judge's (300 lbs) and Ranger (200 lbs) lakes.  Although winter trout stocking has concluded, plenty of these fish remain.  Stocked trout average a little over a pound each and 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 this time of year).   Local lakes and ponds are currently mostly ice free.  The East Branch Rocky River is tentatively scheduled for the first spring stockings of rainbow trout this Tuesday March 17.  Stay tuned to the fishing report for updates on those stockings.

Fishing as a form of Social Distancing.   In these trying times given the COVID-19 pandemic, we are hearing the term "social distancing".  To put it in simple terms, in this context it means to avoid other people to minimize spreading a contagious virus.  Fishing can be one way to leave the house and find some stress relief from the situation that can meet that requirement.  The World Health Organization recommends maintaining at least 3 feet from anyone coughing or sneezing, and it's easy enough to maintain many times that minimum distance when fishing.

Fly Fishing Film Tour on Saturday March 21st.   NOTE: this event has been postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19 health risks. 

7th Annual Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby Fundraiser on March 28.  NOTE: this event has been postponed TBD due to COVID-19 health risks. 

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
 

Dan reported "My son Jackson and I at Wallace Lake.  I had to pry  him away when it was time to go.  LOL.  Proud dad moment" (photos courtesy of Dan Svoboda).



A wee lad shows off his first steelhead (photo courtesy of Kaine Curran).



Nadia caught this bruiser steelhead drifting a minnow in the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Moe Slyman).



Chase shared "Taylor caught her first ever steelhead while fishing the Chagrin River on Sunday. More impressively, she built up the courage to hold it for this photo!" (photo courtesy of Chase McCune).



Ray shared "Struck Gold at Wallace Lake today! (Tuesday, March, 10th). Thank you for everything you do, love the fishing report!" (photo courtesy of Ray Porter).



Adam caught his first steelhead ever casting a spoon at the Rocky River marina on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Adam Oren).









The Butram boys (Dexter, Lincoln and Max) and friends had a very successful outing pursuing rainbow trout at Wallace Lake on Sunday.  They caught them on canned corn (photos courtesy of Corey Butram).



Luther caught a fine steelhead at the Rocky River marina on Saturday (photo courtesy of Luther Williams).




Jared not only caught his limit of trout at Wallace Lake on Monday, he also caught a surprise carp (photos courtesy of Jared Kassouf).




Emily Ann and Jimmy scored a pair of nice Rocky River steelies on Sunday (photos courtesy of sam Horn).




Mikale caught some big steelhead at the Rocky River marina on Saturday (photos courtesy of Mikale Mosack).




Kyle caught two Rocky River steelies using jigs in a muddy Rocky River late last week (photos courtesy of Dave Shinko).




Vince and Mike had a successful outing on the Rocky last Friday afternoon (photos courtesy of Mike Sekerak).






Ross and Kelsey enjoyed some quality time on the Rock this week (photos courtesy of Ross Bailey).



Tonight (3/12) I will be giving a talk about Lake St Clair muskie fishing at the North Olmsted library (27403 Lorain Road zip 44070) at 7:00pm 9this is the West Cleveland Walleye Association monthly gathering). All are welcome.





Over the weekend a truck lost control and ended up in the East Branch Rocky River at the ford just south of Wallace Lake (photos courtesy of Rich's Towing Service Inc).