March 11, 2021

The Rocky River and other area streams are producing lots of catches for steelhead anglers, but rain is in the forecast tonight and conditions could change going into the weekend.  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>.  Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Ranger and Judge's lakes have been stocked with a combined 3,000 lbs of trout in recent weeks (see details below) and all lakes are offering plenty of open water currently.
 
The Rocky, Chagrin and other area streams have all producing great catches of steelhead this week.  But rain is in the forecast tonight, so anglers should check the flow gage data before heading to thye river this weekend.  Streams are offering a 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 bite 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. Fly anglers also do very well in spring with a variety of egg, nymph and baitfish patterns.

Our stocked trout lakes are all offering plenty of open water at this time and the trout are biting.  This winter a total of 6,000 lbs of trout were stocked between Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Judge's and Ranger lakes (Wallace recieved almost half of the total fish).  The majority of the fish were 1-1.5 lb rainbow trout, but a good  number of brook, brown, golden rainbow and trophy rainbow trout were in the mix.  A few trout remain at Ohio & Erie Canal from stocking in October, as well.  Note: the daily limit at Wallace, Ledge, Ranger and Judge's lakes is 3 trout/angler and the limit at Shadow Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal is 5 trout/angler.  Trout often bite well on small to medium size spinners/spoons/crankbaits, a small marabou or tube jig tipped with a waxworm or a few maggots, or a dime size ball of colorful PowerBait.  We are planning to conduct the first spring stocking of rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River early next week.

Ice in Lake Erie harbors at Edgewater and E72nd boat ramps, E55th Marina and Wildwood Marina is mostly gone and the boat launches are usable.  In spring, sunfish, largemouth bass and northern pike can be found in these areas.  On the lake side, anglers at Lakefront parks can look for steelhead and yellow perch. 

Basic Fly Tying Class through the Cuyahoga County Library on March 29.  On Monday March 29 from 7:00-8:15pm, local angler Gabriel Venditti will be offering a free virtual fly tying class through the library.  Per the library:  Curious about fly tying and fly fishing? Join us for a virtual demonstration of fly tying! Learn basic fly tying techniques and what makes a simple hook with feathers fool a fish. We'll cover different types of flies, fly tying tools, and a little information on fly fishing opportunities in our local waters. A meeting link will be emailed to registered participants approximately one hour prior to the start of the program. Staff will be available for help with connecting to Zoom and technical issues beginning 15 minutes prior to the program. You will need a device with audio and/or video and an internet connection to join. If you have questions about this program, please contact a librarian at the Brooklyn Branch at (216) 398-4600 or register <here>.

Cleveland Metroparks Annual Boat Launch Passes are Now Available.    2021 season Cleveland Metroparks Boat Launch Pass can be puchased online at this time 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 can easily be completed online through Smart Waiver (takes only about 30 seconds to complete) at the following link: <Smart Waiver link>. 

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
 

Ken and his daughter Anna Maria (who is on college break) found steelhead success on the Rocky River yesterday (photos courtesy of Ken stein).
 


Will caught his personal best steelhead on a white jig (photo courtesy of will Boyle).






Elmer and friends have been catching trout up to 17 inches in Wallace Lake using PowerBait (photos courtesy of Elmer Garcia).



Mark caught this 28" steelhead in the Rocky River on Monday (photo courtesy of Mark C.).




John shared on Tuesday "I finally had a great day went 7 for 10 steelhead on the Rocky, kept 1 to eat" (photos courtesy of John Lane).



Ryan caught his first steelhead, a 26" buck, from the Rocky River on Sunday fishing with his father (photo courtesy of John Burkhart).






Sean has caught some nice steelhead from the Chagrin River on crankbaits, plus made a very unique catch of a mature buck coho salmon.  They are a rare enough stray catch in fall when they should be around, but they are usually all done spawnibg and dead by March.  the salmon is in the first two photos above (photos courtesy of Sean Johnson).



Ed caught this gorgeous chrome hen in the Rocky River on a jig (photo courtesy of Ed Schmitt).






Joe has landed some beauties in the Rocky lately (photos courtesy of Joe Miller).



Nando caught this fine steelehad at the Rocky River Marina on saturday 9photo courtesy of Nando Fanta).



Mike caught this brute buck steelhead on the Rocky River over the weekend (photo courtesy of Mike Sekerak).



Marc shows off a super fresh chrome steellead caught at the marina area (photo courtesy of Marc Bottone).



Lots of steelhead have been taken at Morley Ford on the Rocky River this week (photo courtesy of Ted Choukalas).




Jimmy had a great week steelehad fishing the lower Rocky River (photos courtesy of Jimmy Pease).






Brad has had a great week on the local streams, with many steelhead falling for his favorite white jig (photos courtesy of Brad Gardner).