***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular 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. 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.
With the cooler weather and rain this week, I would not be surprised to hear about a few steelhead caught from the lower portions of the Rocky River and other area streams closer to Lake Erie. Early steelhead also show up around off the rocks at Edgewater and E55th, as well as Wildwood Park on Lake Erie. 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 may also produce a few walleye after dark, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well.
Rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, freshwater drum and sunfish species can be found along the Cleveland shoreline in late summer and can be caught on offerings such as tube jigs, dropshot rigs and live bait. 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 the past two 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 is often in the morning and late afternoon, although that varies.
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 24th. The Steelhead Expo is a great way to kick off the steelhead season and will be held at the Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday September 24th. 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 usher in 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>.
CMNH Fly Fair this Saturday. This Saturday September 10 the Cleveland Museum of Natural History will be offering their Fly Fair featuring lots of lightly used fly fishing equipment at big discounts. The event will be held at Cleveland Metroparks Old River Farm Picnic Area in North Chagrin Reservation (off Chagrin River Road, south of Route 6) from 9am–noon. This event will feature gently used fly-fishing-related items, including lots of flies and an assortment of rods, reels, lines, waders, boots, vests, and packs. Books and artwork will also be available, and fly tyers will find plenty of interest, such as tools, materials, hooks, and other items. Trout Club logo shirts, hats, mugs, and insulated tumblers will be for sale. Cash, check, credit cards, PayPal, and Venmo accepted. This is a free fundraising event in support of the Museum's Trout Club.
Fall Family Fishing Fest will be held Saturday October 15. Come out and join us for Fall Family Fishing Fest at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation on Saturday October 15th from 10-2:00pm This event is free and we will have a limited number of fishing poles to loan out, as well as bait. We will be stocking 600 lbs of channel catfish and 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout at the Ohio & Erie Canal in anticipation of the event. Although anglers of any age can participate, prizes in several categories will be reserved for kids 15 years old and under. And all attendees will be eligible for the grand drawing of a walleye fishing trip with dog Pound Charters (must be present to win). Thank you to Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders for supporting this great event with grant funds. More details here:
<Fall Family Fishing Fest>.
Attention Perch Anglers! The Ohio Division of Wildlife Can Use Your Help. Are you a perch angler who wants to play a role in assisting biologists in better understanding Central Basin yellow perch in Lake Erie? Well, here's your chance! The Ohio Division of Wildlife Fairport Fish Research Station is looking for filleted perch carcasses with the spine/head/tail still intact (they will be taking lengths and removing otolith bones from heads for aging) until the end of October. The fish need to be from the Central Basin between Huron to Conneaut, not from the Western Basin. The carcasses should be frozen and have general location and depth where caught included. They can be dropped off at the Fairport Fish Research Station M-F between 9 and 5, or if 20 or more carcasses are available they can arrange pick up (within reason). For Cleveland area anglers I am also able to accept carcasses to retain and deliver to the researchers (arrange details using my contact info below). This is an ideal situation because it is making use of perch already harvested by anglers.
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 .