Skip to content
  • Home
  • Parks
  • Golf
  • Zoo
  • Dining
  • About
  • Submit a tip
  • Police Department & Safety
  • Contact the Police: 440.331.5530
  • Emergency: 440.333.4911
  • Users with low vision can activate this option to help them read text.
  • Users prone to seizures can deactivate this option to ensure that the site does not cause any blinking animations.
  • Allow content to change automatically
  • Accessibility Information
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
  • Visit
  • Calendar
  • Education
  • Recreation
  • Shop
  • Support
View All Results

    September 9, 2021

    Parks | Recreation | Fishing Report | September 2021

    September 9, 2021

    Posted: September 9, 2021
    Share Post
    Archive
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    ***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog has resumed weekly Thursday updates from September-May***   As we begin our approach towards fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include smallmouth bass, carp, panfish, and channel catfish-  with a watchful eye looking for the first returning steelhead trout as temperatures cool. 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>.  Lake Erie anglers are primarily targeting walleye and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish. 

    As the weather cools, early steelhead first show up around off the rocks at Edgewater and E55th, Wildwood Park and in the northernmost river sections by the lake.  Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with an early steelhead trout.  These same areas are beginning to produce a few walleye after dark, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well.  A small number of steelhead that succumbed to the heat wave about two weeks ago turned up in local streams, but the current cooling trend should put an end to that.

    White and yellow perch, channel catfish, rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum and various sunfish species can be found along the Cleveland shoreline in late summer and can be caught on offerings such as live bait, tube jigs, and dropshot rigs.  Although not consistent from day to day, white perch and even a few yellow perch have made appearances at the shoreline at spots like Wendy Park at the old Coast Guard station in recent weeks, at times in good numbers, and have been biting on bits of worms or small minnow fished on the bottom on a crappie rig.  The best bite has been in the morning and late afternoon lately.

    Anglers are pursuing a mix of warmwater species in the streams  Smallmouth bass are the most sought after among them and bite best at the heads of deeper pools in the mornings and evenings.  A dark olive or brown tube jig 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). 

    Channel catfish, carp, sheepshead, white perch and sunfish are also present in some of these same areas in the river, especially around the marina on the Rocky, and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water.  Catfishing is usually best during lower light conditions using baits such as nightcrawlers, minnows, chicken liver, and processed dough baits.   Catfish often bite best following a rain when the water is a bit murky.  Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails.  For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing bits of nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a crappie rig.

    Anglers at our inland lakes and ponds are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish.  Wallace Lake, Ledge Lake, Shadow Lake, and Beyer's Pond are just a few other spots worth poking around in late summer.

    Steelhead Expo at the Rocky River Nature Center Saturday September 25th.    After a year hiatus due to the pandemic I am pleased to report that the Steelhead Expo is back and bigger than ever! The event is a great way to kick off the steelhead season and will be held at the Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday September 25th.  This event is a collaborative effort between the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Cleveland Metroparks and will offer a full day of expert speakers and seminars, vendors, and other related information to kick off the fall steelhead season. There is no charge for the event but OCBS, a non-profit sportman's group which is very active in the local fishing and conservation communities, is offering a raffle as a fundraiser so donations or participation in the raffle is encouraged.  Location info here: <Rocky River Nature Center>.

    The Steelheaders Ball is back!  When: Friday, October 29, 2021- 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM  Where: The LaSalle Theater, 823 E. 185th St, Cleveland, OH 44119  What: Live Music by The Interstate All-Star Band, BBQ Food Truck, cash bar, assorted raffles, door prizes and more!  Why: Fundraiser to support a variety of local fisheries projects.  Tickets- $20.00 online, $25.00 at the door. Purchase tickets online at: <Steelheaders Ball tickets>

    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
     



    Shaun shared "Caught 6 walleye fishing from my kayak last Saturday out of Rocky River.  I started in 48-52 feet of water and the fishfinder showed few marks so I move back to 35-40 feet of water and caught all the walleye there.  I guess the walleye moved a little closer by the shoreline. Walleye bite on dark color spinner worm harness and I tried catch steelhead but no luck yet." (photo courtesy of Shaun Cassidy).






    Mark shared "I am a weekly reader of your fishing report. Thanks for taking the time to do those for us!  My girlfriend and I did well this weekend at Ranger Lake and had a few photos to share. We caught some nice cats!  Her name is Jordan and our little (big) guy puppy name is Sammy who was enjoying the fun!  Thanks again and hope to see us in there. Fingers crossed will have some steelhead to send you this winter!" (photos courtesy of Mark Kundtz).



    Tony was casting a gold Vibrax spinner for steelhead off a Lake Erie pier when he got a big surprise- this 42" muskie!  He chose to release the trophy catch, too (photo courtesy of Tony Perrin).





    Alan and his wife made a fine catch of bluegill, including a bonus yellow perch and sheephead, at E55th breakwall on Friday.  Looks like an excellent fish fry was soon to follow! (photos courtesy of Alan Tomko).






    Sam shared "I just wanted to share some pictures from a successful weekend fly fishing for Smallies in the RR!" (photos courtesy of sam Papnicki).






    David shared out of E55th Marina "Had a phenomenal day of fishing last Friday, punched a two-man ticket! Had a good friend in town from Florida that had an absolute blast fishing in Lake Erie again!" (photos courtesy of David Warner).






    A variety of fish species are biting at Wendy Park where the mighty Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie.  Making up the bulk of the recent catch are white perch, channel catfish, yellow perch, sheephead and panfish (esp rock bass and bluegill).



    Please note that the county is doing a bridge rehab project at Cedar Point Road where the Rocky River splits into two branches.  Please heed any closure signs for your own safety.  The temporary work bridge will not impede fish migration.  The project is scheduled through 2022.



    New this year is a ban from fishing on the dam structure across from Oxbow Lagoon (commonly known as Lagoon Dam).  This is about a 1/2 mile up the East Branch Rocky River from Cedar Point Road.  This was instituted because of safety concerns but also due to persistent poaching issues where steelhead get stacked up in the trough in the middle.  Anglers may still fish from the top of the wall, though.



    We are pleased to announce that the Steelhead Expo will be back at the Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday September 25th.  See the report above for more details.  Note: this event is a collaboration between Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Cleveland Metroparks.

    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.
    PREV POST September 2, 2021
    NEXT POST September 16, 2021
    Stay Up To Date
    • 4101 Fulton Parkway, Cleveland OH 44144
    • 216.635.3200
    • generalinfo@clevelandmetroparks.com
    • Police:
    • Submit a tip
    • 440.331.5530
    • Emergency: 440.333.4911
    • Text Emergencies to 911 (Cuyahoga County)
    • Parks
      • Visit
      • Calendar
      • Education
      • Recreation
      • Shop
      • Support
    • Golf
      • Courses
      • Lessons & Events
      • Pricing
      • About
    • Zoo
      • Tickets & Attractions
      • Programs & Events
      • Wildlife Conservation
      • Education
      • Animals
      • Buy Tickets
    • About
      • Cleveland Metroparks Organization
      • Employment
      • Education
      • Recreation
      • Conservation
      • Planning & Design
    • Programs & Events
    • News & Press
    • Board Meetings
    • Privacy Policy
    Home
    © 2023 Cleveland Metroparks. All Rights Reserved.