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    June 2021

    Parks | Recreation | Fishing Report | June 2021

    June 2021

    Posted: June 3, 2021
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    As we transition into early summer, highlight species targeted around Cleveland Metroparks include walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, panfish, channel catfish, and common carp. 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>.  Please note: the Fishing Blog is updated once a month in June, July, and August and back to weekly in September.  

    Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the river during the day in early summer, and often move to the heads of such pools in the early morning and evening hours to feed actively.  A dark olive or brown tube jig of 3-4" length is one of the best producers of bass in the river.  "Smallies" also bite well on live bait (ie: minnow, crayfish, and leeches), lures (ie: spinners and minnow plugs), and flies (ie: crayfish patterns, Clouser minnows, dark brown or olive sculpin or muddler minnow patterns).  Bass of all sizes are abundant bass in the river, with a healthy number of trophy lake-run fish available through at least early June.  It has been very encouraging to see most anglers releasing the larger bass recently so that these fine gamefish can be caught again.  Rock bass are also present in the same river areas as smallmouth, and can be caught using the same offerings listed above.

    Channel catfish and large carp are also present in some of these same areas in the river, and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water.  Lots of channel catfish stocked in late May also remain to be caught at Wallace Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area.  More catfish are scheduled to be stocked at various locations in mid and late June, as well.  These will include Shadow Lake, Ledge Lake, Ranger Lake, Oxbow Lagoon, Judge's Lake and Strawberry Pond.  Catfishing is usually best during lower light conditions using baits such as nightcrawlers, minnows, chicken liver, and processed dough baits.  A good number of larger catfish are moving into the river from Lake Erie on their spawning run.   Resident channel catfish are available in the river all summer.

    Some large carp will be found in the northern river reaches throughout the month, as well.  Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails.  A growing contingent of fly anglers looking for a challenge are targeting carp with nymphs and crayfish imitations, as well.  The key to fishing for either carp or catfish is fishing on (or very near) the river/lake bottom.  In addition, freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch, and bullhead catfish are also abundant in the northern river reaches (north of Morley Ford) in early summer.  For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing a nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a sinker.

    Summer means family fishing time for many folks, and panfish fit the bill perfectly for a leisurely picnic and fishing outing.  Anglers seeking panfish have experienced action at most of the ponds and lakes in the Park District in the past week.  Bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed and other sunfish species can be taken with a number of offerings, but a waxworm or redworm on a small hook (or tiny jig) suspended under a stick float and fished around a weedbed or shoreline brush is always a good choice.  Wallace Lake, Shadow Lake, and Lakefront Reservation are just a few of many places in the Park to wet a line for various panfish species.  Largemouth bass fishing is often best in Wallace and Hinckley lakes, although bass can be found in most park waters.

    The walleye bite has been good overall in the nearshore waters of Cleveland, especially after dark.  Casting p10, Husky Jerk or shallow Bandit crankbaits at Edgewater Park, E55th breakwall, Wendy Park at the old Coast Guard station pier or Wildwood Park are all good bets.  Rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, northern pike, catfish, freshwater drum and sunfish species are biting along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie on offerings such as tube jigs and live minnows, as well.  The ODNR Division of Wildlife weekly Lake Erie fishing report can be viewed <here>.

    Cleveland Metroparks Annual Boat Launch Passes.    A 2021 season Cleveland Metroparks Boat Launch Pass can be puchased at our Lakefront marina shops as well as online at the following link:  <2021 Boat Launch Pass>.  The base price (there are certain discounts) is $30.  Note: this applies only to motorized watercraft that are trailered.

    Photo Release Waivers for Fishing Blog Photos (fast and easy to complete online).  Photo release waivers for photos sent in for the fishing report can easily be completed online through Smart Waiver (takes only about 30 seconds to complete) at the following link: <Smart Waiver link>. You only need to do this one time and any future additional photos submitted are already covered.

    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
     



    Matt shared regarding these walleye "The first is Ashley Stanek. Caught on a custom Bandit that she painted. The second is Grace Stanek. Caught on a custom Bandit that she painted." (photos courtesy of Matt Stanek).




    "Dargan", who was the young many the fishing community rallied around when his fishing gear was stolen last week, was back on the horse again in notime with this chonk of a smallmouth bass from the Chagrin River (photo courtesy of Richard Forman).




    Alan and his wife made a great catch of sunfish 9mostly bluegill but with a smattering of pumpkinseed sunfish and warmouth) from a small Cleveland Metropark lake (photos courtesy of Alan Tomko).



    Anthony caught this quality smallmouth bass in the Rocky River on a Ned rig (photo courtesy of Anthony Lombardo).



    Jason shared regarding his recent catch "I got this nice Smallmouth on Friday 05/21/21 from E.72nd fishing from shore using a Storm WildEye Curl Tail Minnow. As always the fish was released unharmed. Thanks for all you do Mike!" (photo courtesy of Jason Lakis).



    Jarred caught this bruiser channel catfish along the Lake Erie shoreline (photo courtesy of Jarred Bugg).



    Dave from Berea shared "Limited out on Wallace Lake rainbow including this 19 inch 3 pounder" (photo courtesy of Dave).



    Allen caught a pair of bruiser smallmouth bass along the CLE shoreline 9photo courtesy of Allen Reinke).





    Shaun shared regarding a kayak fishing trip on Wallace Lake last Sunday "I caught over 40 crappie but only kept 5 crappie that over 9 inches.  Also caught 2 rainbow trout ." (photos courtesy of Shaun Cassidy).



    Ross landed a monster smallmouth bass in the river over Memorial Day weekend (photo courtesy of Ross Bailey).




    Sean has been hooking into some fine largemouth bass at E72nd marina area (photos courtesy of Sean Johnson).



    Jack shows off a pair of trophy Lake erie walleye (photo courtesy of Michael Mochan).



    Trigg, who is from Texas but is working on an extended project at MetroHealth, has caught steelhead, smallmouth bass and sheepshead so far while exploring Cleveland area fishing opportunities.  This week he added "Another first.  I met a guy down on the Rocky a month or so ago and we talked about walleye fishing. Well, he took me out with his cousin on Monday night. We caught 11 and had several get off at the boat. I can mark walleye off the list now." (photo courtesy of Trigg Wright).





    Steve has caught just about everything that swims at E55th Marina and breakwall.  Topping that list lately has been some nice smallmouth and largemouth bass (photos courtesy of Steve Farley).


    Note: The fishing report is updated monthly in June, July, and August and weekly every other month


    ***Note: All photo submissions must first complete the Cleveland Metroparks photo waiver.***


    2023 Cleveland Metroparks Registered Fishing Guides
    (name, company, contact)

    • #23-001 Jeff Liskay, Great Lakes Flyfishing LLC, jeffliskay@gmail.com (440) 781-7536
    • #23-002 Monte Casey, The Steelhead Guide, (440) 773-8064, www.steelheadguide.com
    • #23-003 Gareth Thomas, Alley Grabs Guide Service, alleygrabs@gmail.com, (216) 235-5056 
    More information on Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Guide Permit requirements, including the permit application, you may check the following link: <Fishing Guide Permit Program>

    Learn how you can support recreation opportunities through a donation to the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund.
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