November 13, 2025

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  Local streams received a nice bump in flow this week but steelhead anglers should expect pretty low and clear conditions again by 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> <Rocky River Main Branch live feed camera>. Walleye fishing after dark along the Lake Erie shoreline of Cleveland has been very good when the lake conditions permit. Additionally, anglers at the Ohio & Erie Canal are pursuing recently stocked rainbow trout and Lake Erie anglers are also catching yellow perch and steelhead. 

Walleye fishing along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie has remained good overall when lake conditions permit (the lake was rough earlier this week as winter temperatures moved in). Anglers may find the <live feed beach camera at Edgewater Park> helpful for determining lake conditions (just go to that link an scroll down). Anglers have been lining up at dusk after dark at E55th breakwall as well as Edgewater, Wildwood, and Gordon parks to cast Perfect 10, Husky Jerk, Bandit, Ripfish, and other crankbaits. A slow and steady retrieve is often best after dark. Boating anglers are also doing very well when wave conditions permit. Anglers were catching yellow perch on the north facing breakwall at E55th and boating anglers are scoring nice catches of perch at the east end of the outer city breakwall and byb the Cuyahoga River lighthouse. Please note that Wendy Park at the old Coast Guard station is still closed for repairs and I will update folks here when it reopens.

Rivers received a good bump in flow earlier this week to lure in some more awaiting steelhead, but streams conditions are likely to be low and clear again by the weekend based on the weather forecast. Most of the reports of success this week have been from the deeper, slower stretches of the Rocky and Chagrin rivers closer to Lake Erie. Euclid Creek at Wildwood Park is also giving up some stray steelhead. Large quantities of leaves have accumulated in the streams, especially in the slower flow areas, adding another layer of challenge for river anglers. Steelhead are also being caught along the Lake Erie shoreline at Edgewater, Gordon and Wildwood parks. Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) in the early morning or evening at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with a steelhead trout. A small marabou jig tipped with a few maggots or a Gulp minnow as well as tube jigs drifted under floats and salmon egg mimicking beads can also be productive. At the Lakefront locations a nightcrawler suspended 4-5 feet under a bobber on a hook with a split shot or two has been producing steelhead, as well.

On October 17, we stocked 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout and 600 lbs of channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street for Fall Family Fishing Fest. The trout average 1.5 lbs each and the catfish average 2-3 lbs, but we included a handful of bigger fish and a few golden rainbow trout to keep things interesting. Trout bite good on a dime size ball of PowerBait about a foot from a sinker on the bottom, small marabou or hair jigs tipped with a few maggots about 2 feet under a small bobber and on smaller spinners. Either species can be caught on a piece of nightcrawler or shrimp fished on the canal bottom.

E72nd Fish Cleaning Station and Rocky River Boat Ramps Courtesy Dock. We are planning to leave the fish cleaning station at the E72nd boat ramp area operational through the end of November for the convenience of all the fall tournament walleye anglers out there. If winter weather hits early and looks like it will be staying, though, the station may be winterized and closed earlier than that to avoid damage. 

Also, be aware that one courtesy dock is being left in at the public boats ramps at Emerald Necklace Marina on the Rocky River. The other docks and kayak ramp were removed for the season this week.  We hope to leave the remaining dock through the month of November. We try to keep the aforementioned amenities available as late in the season as possible which means the closure dates are subject to change based on weather.

Safety Tips For Shore Anglers on Lake Erie. Walleye fishing has been hot along the Cleveland shoreline as evidenced by the images of great catches that follow this report. But be very careful on those slick rocks after dark. Tragically somebody drowned while fishing the Cleveland shoreline recently. Always fish with somebody else and carrying a length of rope attached to a throwable PFD is a good idea. In fact, even wearing a PFD is not a bad idea, especially when it is wavy out. And if it’s too wavy, don’t risk it. Wearing cleats on your shoes/boots can also be very helpful for grip on wet and algae covered rocks. And don’t forget a long handled net so you can safely land your fish. Remember- no fish is worth your life! 

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

Jeffrey shared “The first of the year is headed to the smoker. Caught with a 1/32 oz chartreuse marabou jig rigged under a float drifted through the bubble seams below the Morley Ford.” (photo courtesy of Jeffrey Schimelpfenig).

Carl and Bob had a great outing for yellow perch out of Cleveland and took advantage of the public fish cleaning station at E72nd boat ramps afterwards. FYI, the cleaning station will likely be open through the end of the month at which point it will be winterized and closed for the season (photos courtesy of Carl Blaser).

Justin caught a surprise chinook salmon (aka king salmon) while targeting steelhead this week (photo courtesy of Amy Herdy).

Carter shows off a lakefront steelhead just beginning to show a blush of color (photo courtesy of John Lusnek).

Kylie strikes again with a fine walleye (photo courtesy of Kylie Kwon).

Gavin displays a pair of Rocky River steelhead (photos courtesy of Bruce Campbell).

Corey scored the “gold and silver” from the Cleveland Lakefront this week. The stout walleye was caught on his birthday (photos courtesy of Corey Reed).

Jeff and a couple buddies made a fine catch of yellow perch and bonus walleye by the Cuyahoga River lighthouse (photo courtesy of Jeff Deluca).

Nick displays a pair of walleye caught on P10 and Bandit crankbaits (photo courtesy of Nick Kosiba).

The hot steelhead bait for Steve in the Rocky River this year has been a good ole fashioned worm (photo courtesy of Ted Choukalas).

Wes and his buddies have been making limit catches of big yellow perch off Cleveland and even caught a surprise burbot, which is freshwater cod that is currently fairly rare in Lake Erie (photos courtesy of Wes Janke).

Brian displays a pair of nice Cleveland walleye (photos courtesy of Brian Kich).

Mike shows off a few recent Rocky River steelhead catches above (photos courtesy of Mike Simon).

#25-001 Jeff Liskay, Great Lakes Flyfishing LLC, [email protected] (440) 781-7536

#25-002 Gareth Thomas, Alley Grabs Guide Service, [email protected] (216) 235-5056

#25-003 Jim Lingenfelter, Wild Ohio Outdoors Guide Service, [email protected], (440) 731-9160

#25-004 Monte Casey, Steelhead Guide, (440) 773-8064 www.steelheadguide.com

#25-005 Nicholas DelVecchio, Wildwood Outfitters, [email protected] (724) 433-2315

#25-006 Lucas Smith, What That Vise Do LLC, [email protected] (724) 841-1564

#25-007 Nate Miller, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com (440) 796-6105

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.