November 6, 2025

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  Local streams are flowing low and clear again, although rain forecasted through the weekend could change conditions substantially. Anglers are advised to check the flow data before heading out on a trip. 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 a highlight again this week. Additionally, river anglers are pursuing steelhead, anglers at the Ohio & Erie Canal are pursuing recently stocked rainbow trout and farm raised channel catfish, and Lake Erie anglers are also catching yellow perch and steelhead. 

Walleye fishing along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie has remained excellent this week. Angler have been lining up at dusk after dark at E55th breakwall as well as Edgewater 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 are catching yellow perch on the north facing breakwall at E55th, as well. Please note that Wendy Park at the old Coast Guard station is closed for repairs and the reopening is running later than expected. The most recent update I’ve received is that work could be complete and the area reopened in late November of this year, possibly later (I will update folks here when that happens).

Rivers are flowing low and clear again but significant rain is in the forecast through the weekend that could change conditions substantially. Anglers would be wise to check the flow trend (link above) before heading out to the streams. Most steelhead this week were still being caught in the deeper, slower stretches of the Rocky and Chagrin rivers closer to Lake Erie.  Leaves are accumulating in the slower flow areas, in particular, adding another layer of challenge. 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. At the Lakefront locations a nightcrawler suspended 4-5 feet under a bobber on a hook with a split shot or two has been a hot bait. 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.

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.

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 fishing the Cleveland shoreline last week. 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!

Rocky River Boat Ramps Courtesy Dock. The Rocky River Reservation Park Manager Rick Ditch wanted to share 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. He is planning to leave the remaining dock in until the beginning of December, weather permitting. He typically puts a temporary sign up the week before he pulls that last dock out so folks have fair warning and don’t come back to an unwelcome surprise after a day on the lake.

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

Bob shared on Monday afternoon “Fished the Rocky River down at the marina. My rattle trap kept snagging leaves on every cast. Changed to a Little Cleo, 2/5 ounce. Caught a nice fat steelhead, took it to the cooler in my car. Very next cast caught another. I gave one to my friend Chris, the other was full of gizzard shad when I fileted it.” (photo courtesy of Bob Janmey).

AJ had a great evening of casting for walleye along the Cleveland shoreline (photos courtesy of AJ Woolen).

Jeremy shared regarding his catch from a local creek Monday “Hello I am sharing this photo I caught a coho salmon yesterday on a jig and maggot it had a black tongue I couldn’t open its mouth again after I got the hook out first salmon I’ve ever caught” (photo courtesy of Jeremy Springer).

Wes and a buddy made a great catch of Cleveland yellow perch and some bonus fish. The jumbo perch were between 10 and 14.5 inches according to Wes (photos courtesy of Wes Janke).

Brayden displays a chunky Rocky River steelhead (photo courtesy of Bruce Campbell).

Kylie was back at it this week putting a hurt on the Cleveland shoreline walleyes (photos courtesy of Kylie Kwon).

Steve and his son have been doing great on rainbow trout and smaller bluegill at the Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street (photos courtesy of Ted Choukalas).

Nick shows off a thick Euclid Creek steelie (photo courtesy of Nick Kosiba).

Nick scored the “Gold and Silver” casting spoons and crankbaits along the Lake Erie shoreline this week (photos courtesy of Nick Zarzeczny).

Jimmy has experienced success this week with both steelhead in the Rocky River and rainbow trout at the Ohio & Erie Canal (photos courtesy of Jimmy Miranda).

#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