October 2, 2025

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***   Despite a small rise in flow following the rain last week local streams are back to low flows and clear water.  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 – scroll down at link>.  Rivers anglers are pursuing smallmouth bass and steelhead, Lake Erie anglers are targeting walleye and yellow perch, and inland lake/pond anglers are pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.

Local streams are back to low flow and clear water conditions this week following a modest bump in flow last week.  The steelhead fishing in the streams won’t improve much until we get substantial rain and some cool weather to draw them in. In the meantime, anglers seeking early steelhead can focus their efforts on the northernmost river stretches near Lake Erie as well as along the lake shoreline.  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 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.

In addition to early returning steelhead anglers are pursuing a mix of warmwater species in the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers.  Smallmouth bass are the most sought after among them and bite best in deeper pools (especially when the water is low like it is now).  A dark olive or brown tube jig 3-4" length, or Ned rig with similar size/color offering, are proven producers of bass in the river.  Anglers equally interested in a smallmouth bass or early steelhead can try casting 3-5” fluke or paddletail jigs or a jerkbait that mimics a shiner by the Rocky River marina (see photo below for an example of the size bass that are abundant in that area currently). Channel catfish, sheepshead, walleye, common carp and panfish are among a host of other species also available in local streams.

For boating anglers on Lake Erie out of the Cleveland area, craknkbaits like bandits and worm harnessed have been make good catches of walleye, and the yellow perch bite is starting to pick up.  For shore based anglers, rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, steelhead, freshwater drum and panfish species can be found around Cleveland in early fall and can be caught on offerings such as tube jigs, dropshot rigs and live bait.  When the weather cools further, white perch and yellow perch can make appearances at the shoreline at spots like E55th breakwall.  Please note that Wendy Park at the old Coast Guard station is closed for repairs and the reopening is running a bit later than expected.   Work could be complete and the area reopened as early as November of this year (I will update here when that happens). 

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

Cuyahoga River Sturgeon Fest will be held this Saturday October 4^th!    Come out and join us for the inaugural Sturgeon Fest at Merwin’s Wharf this Saturday October 4^th.  There will be a ton of activities on hand for the celebration and attendees can even release a juvenile sturgeon!  This will be a monumental occasion in the celebration of the recovery of the Cuyahoga River. More information here:  <Sturgeon Fest>

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) Eat 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

Vinny was hoping for an early steelhead by the Rocky River marina area but got a surprise channel catfish instead (photo courtesy of Brian DiGioia).

Steve caught a 27.5” steelhead drifting a nightcrawler in the Rocky River on Sunday (photo courtesy of Ted Choukalas).

Wes and a buddy caught a dozen quality yellow perch and a bonus walleye on Lake Erie out of Rocky River on Sunday morning.  They had to work for the perch but noted that the catfish and sheepshead kept them busy (photos courtesy of Wes Janke).

Owen was casting a gold and orange KO Wobbler spoon from shore at E72nd after dark Saturday night and hooked 2 channel catfish and 2 steelhead and as bad luck would have it landed none of them.  He did get a consolation rock bass, though (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).

Rich and his friends at Hookin Hogs fishing charters have been on some nice walleyes lately (photos courtesy of Rich Salvetta).

Jimmy took his kayak out to the mouth of the Rocky River on Monday and made an exciting mixed catch (photos courtesy of Jimmy Miranda).

Kumbo displays a good “eatin’ size” channel catfish from the Lake Erie shoreline of Cleveland (photo courtesy of Kumbo Leng).

Carl shared his nice walleye catch with friends off Rocky River recently (photos courtesy of Carl Schweisthal).

My volunteer Jeff (pictured) and I electrofished by the Rocky River marina Friday afternoon for about an hour to collect a few live steelhead to display in a big aquarium at the Steelhead Expo on Saturday. With the low water and warm temperatures it was no surprise that we only observed about a half dozen steelhead. What was interesting is that steelies were FAR outnumbered by chunky 2 to 3 pound smallmouth bass. We even saw a good sized walleye along with many sub-legal size walleye. Rounding things out were some big sheepshead and a fair amount of baitfish (emerald shiners, gizzard shad and round gobies).

Come out and join us for the inaugural Sturgeon Fest at Merwin’s Wharf this Saturday October 4^th.  There will be a ton of activities on hand for the celebration and attendees can even release a juvenile sturgeon!  This will be a momentous occasion in the celebration of the recovery of the Cuyahoga River. More information here:  <Sturgeon Fest>

Jerry Darkes from the newly branded Cleveland anglers non-profit group (formerly Cleveland Museum of Natural History Trout Club) wanted to introduce the group to local anglers.   Additionally, he wanted to share and invite folks to the following event:  “Our first fundraising event called the Fall Fly Fair will be Saturday, October 18, 10:00 AM - 2: 00 PM, at the barn at 185 River Rd. in Hinckley 44233. The Fall Fly Fair will feature a wide variety of donated, pre-owned fly fishing equipment for sale.  There will be an extensive assortment of rods, reels, lines, waders, boots, vest, packs, books, and accessories available.  Brands represented include Orvis, Sage, Winston, Thomas & Thomas, Able, Marryat, Scientific Anglers, Airflo, Rio, Simms, Patagonia, and others.” (courtesy of Jerry Darkes).