July 2024

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May and monthly from June-August***  As we enter midsummer, 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 that the Fishing Blog is updated once a month in summer and back to weekly in September. 
 
Summer means family fishing time for many folks, and panfish are perfect for a leisurely picnic and fishing outing. Bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed and other sunfish species can be taken with a number of offerings, but a waxworm or redworm on a small hook suspended under a stick float and fished around shoreline structure is always a good choice. Wallace Lake, Shadow Lake, Strawberry Pond and Lakefront Reservation are just a few of many places in the parks to wet a line for various panfish species. Early mornings and dusk are typically better times to fish during the heat of summer. Largemouth bass fishing can be good at Wallace Lake and Lake Erie harbors.
 
Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers during the day in summer, and often move to the heads of such pools in the early morning and evening hours to feed. A dark olive or brown tube jig of 3-4" length, ned or dropshot rig, other lures/flies that imitate minnows or crayfish, and live bait are all offerings that can catch smallmouth. Rock bass are also present in the same river areas and can be caught using the same types of offerings.
 
Channel catfish and large carp are also found in the rivers in summer and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water. On June 18, a total of 1,600 lbs of farm raised channel catfish were stocked between Shadow Lake (500 lbs), Ledge Lake (200 lbs), Strawberry Pond (300 lbs), Oxbow Lagoon (300 lbs), Judge’s Lake (200 lbs), and Ranger Lake (100lbs). Channel catfish stocked in late May also remain to be caught at Wallace Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area. Catfish often bite best during the evening using baits such as nightcrawlers, raw shrimp, chicken liver, and processed dough baits.

Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails. The key to fishing for either carp or catfish is fishing on the river/lake bottom. In addition, freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch, and bullhead catfish are also available in the northern river reaches (north of Lorain Road bridge) in 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.
 
The walleye bite has been good in anywhere from 45-55 feet of water out of Gordon (E72nd) and Edgewater parks. Trolling deep diving crankbaits and spoons behind dipsy divers has been the most common presentations. Anglers can also hook up with some tasty walleye by casting worm harnesses and weight forward spinners. For trolling leads 100-125’ back unassisted or 50-80’ back with divers or 4-ounce snap weights have been working well at speeds of 1.5-2.5 mph. Additionally, diverse fishing opportunities including (but not limited to) rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, catfish, freshwater drum and sunfish species can be found along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie on offerings such as tube jigs and live minnows.
  
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 [email protected].

Tight Lines,
Mike


 

Tuan shared “My son and I have been a big fan of your fishing report for many years. Jayden recently caught this largemouth bass and channel catfish at Edgewater Park and would like to contribute to your summer report.” (photos courtesy of Tuan Truong).





Charter captain Sam Horn shared “Customer LOVED the fish cleaning station. BRAVO” (photos courtesy of Sam Horn).




David shared “Grandson’s first visit to Wallace Lake.  His name is Jacob Blanton. He is 5 and this is his 2nd year fishing. He was able to catch 2 bluegill and a rock bass. My goal is to get him a steelhead this fall..... just kidding.  Thanks for the great resource close to home.” (photo courtesy of David Janusik).




Vinnie scored a very nice Rocky River smallmouth bass recently (photos courtesy of Brian DiGioia).




Hannah and her father were fishing for catfish at Ledge Lake when she tied into this 28” whiskered brute! (photo courtesy of Bill Mantle).




This breakwall angler at E55th has a great bluegill fish fry in his immediate future!




Richard was prospecting around lower Euclid Creek when he was surprised to catch a keeper size yellow perch (photo courtesy of Richard Selman).











Our Youth Outdoors staff hosted a fishing outing with several kids from Fairhill Partners and many of them caught their first fish ever! (photos courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks Youth Outdoors staff).








The Butram family and friends have been having fun enjoying the bounty of Wallace Lake (photos courtesy of Corey Butram).




An angler displays a good sized sheepshead, aka freshwater drum, from Lake Erie. They are a sporty species that often go underappreciated. They are a close relative of the highly sought after saltwater redfish (photo courtesy of Carl Schweisthal).





Wes and a buddy made a nice mixed catch of walleye and yellow perch off Cleveland (photos courtesy of Wes Janke).




Mark shows off a colorful bluegill caught in the Ohio & Erie Canal (photo courtesy of Mark Eberling).




John caught a trio of freshly stocked channel catfish from Oxbow Lagoon fishing area just south of Cedar Point Road in Rocky River Reservation (photo courtesy of John Schultz).




 A young lady shows off the first fish she ever caught - a bluegill sunfish from the Ohio & Erie canal.




Mike caught this channel catfish from the pier at Wendy Park by the former Coast Guard station at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River (photo courtesy of Mike Donato).




Rocco caught this “mystery fish” from the lower Rocky River by the marina. Can you tell what it is? Answer: this is a tough one! It is a common carp x goldfish hybrid and they are fairly common. It does look superficially like a carp but the complete lack of barbells (small whiskers by the corners of the mouth) are a clue. Also, a pure carp typically has significantly more orange/yellow coloration on the fins (photo courtesy of Rocco Serio).