October 23, 2025

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  The rain in recent days has perked up local stream fishing for steelhead. 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>.  Rivers anglers are pursuing smallmouth bass and steelhead, Lake Erie anglers are targeting walleye and yellow perch, and anglers at the Ohio & Erie Canal are pursuing recently stocked rainbow trout and farm raised channel catfish. 

Although the river flows only increased modestly the rain this week was still enough to perk up steelhead fishing in local streams.  Most steelhead are being caught in the deeper, slower stretches of the Rocky and Chagrin rivers closer to Lake Erie. They are also being caught along the Lake Erie shoreline at locations like 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 as well as the lower rivers this week a simple 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 are also producing.

For boating anglers on Lake Erie, when wave conditions have permitted out of the Cleveland area, crankbaits like Bandits and worm harnessed have been make good catches of walleye, and the yellow perch bite is picking up as the fall weather begins to settle in.  Anglers were picking up some yellow perch on the north facing breakwall at E55th earlier this week. Lakefront areas are also producing good catches of walleye after dark, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working 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).

This past Friday 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.

A Reminder about the Gordon Park Boat Ramps. The Lakefront park manager wanted to warn boaters that there is a curb at the end of the Gordon Park (E72nd St) public boat ramps, after which point the ramp ends. This does not affect the majority of boaters, but if you have a longer boat and trailer be especially careful given the low water and do not go beyond that curb.

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

Jim shared “Here is my wife Annie with her 1st steelhead and it was a special one. Caught in the Chagrin River on a Little Cleo. Fish measured 30" on the dot and was delicious too!” (photo courtesy of Jim Payne).

Charles reports that it’s official- his son is now hooked on fishing and he has a fishing buddy for life! The lad caught these nice walleye along the Cleveland shoreline (photos courtesy of Charles Scruggs).

Kylie and a friend mad e great catch of walleyes this week, too (photos courtesy of Kylie Kwon).

Jerod tried every lure he had with him on the Rocky River by the marina this week, but quickly caught this steelhead when he switched to a nightcrawler (photo courtesy of Jerod Rutherford).

Carlos is on a roll with another steelhead this week caught on a chartreuse RoosterTail spinner (photo courtesy of Carlis Velez Serrano).

Matt scored a fresh steelie along the Lake Erie shoreline (photo courtesy of Matt Arroyo).

Kerri shared “My son Luke (8 yrs old) caught this 25” catfish while fishing at the Firelands scouting camp on October 11th. My son would be thrilled if you were there able to include him in your newsletter. Thank you so much for your consideration.” (photo courtesy of Kerri Hudak).

Corey is catching steelhead by day and walleye at night at Edgewater Park (photos courtesy of Corey Reed).

Just a few scenes from a Fall Family Fishing Fest this past Saturday at Ohio & Erie Canal. Approximately 500 people came out to enjoy a gorgeous October day with us.

There is no fishing allowed on the circled property due to extremely dangerous shoreline rocks. This property is not owned by Cleveland Metroparks despite being directly behind the Cleveland Metroparks Lakefront Management Center (it is owned by Cleveland Port Authority).

#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