September 11, 2025

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  There have been a surprising number of reports of steelhead being caught this week given how early it is in the season. 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>.  Lake Erie anglers are primarily targeting walleye and inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish. 

A modest number of reports of steelhead already being caught around Cleveland are coming in.  As the weather cools, early steelhead first show up around off the rocks at Edgewater and E55th, Wildwood Park and in the northernmost river sections closer to Lake Erie (the Rocky River marina has been a productive spot). Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) 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 the temperature cools, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well.

Rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, freshwater drum and sunfish species can be found along the Cleveland shoreline in late summer and can be caught on offerings such as tube jigs, dropshot rigs and live bait. Although not consistent from day to day, white perch and even a few yellow perch have made appearances at the shoreline at spots like E55th breakwall recently and have been biting on bits of worms or small minnow fished on the bottom on a crappie rig. The best bite is often in the morning and late afternoon. 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.

In addition to anxiously anticipating some 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 at the heads of deeper pools. A dark olive or brown tube jig 3-4" length is one of the best producers of bass in the river.  "Smallies" also bite well on live bait (ie: minnow, crayfish, and leeches), lures (ie: spinners and minnow plugs), and flies (ie: crayfish patterns, Clouser minnows, dark brown or olive sculpin or muddler minnow patterns). Channel catfish, common carp and panfish are among a host of other species also available in local streams. 

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

Steelhead Expo at the Rocky River Nature Center Saturday, September 27. The Steelhead Expo is a great way to kick off the steelhead season and will be held at the Rocky River Nature Center on Saturday, September 27. This event is a collaborative effort between the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Cleveland Metroparks and will offer a full day of expert speakers and seminars, vendors, and other related information to usher in the fall steelhead season. There is no charge for the event but OCBS, a non-profit sportman's group which is very active in the local fishing and conservation communities, is offering a raffle as a fundraiser so donations or participation in the raffle is encouraged. Location info here: <Rocky River Nature Center>.

Cuyahoga River Sturgeon Fest will be held Saturday, October 4! Come out and join us for the inaugural Sturgeon Fest at Merwin’s Wharf on Saturday, October 4. 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> 

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

Corey took his nephew Ryker fishing along the Cleveland lakefront at Edgewater Park and the young angler had quite a successful outing! (photos courtesy of Corey Reed).

A big congrats to Carlos on his first steelhead ever from the Rocky River! (photo courtesy of Carlos Velez Serrano).

Dexter and his friends have been having success targeting channel catfish at Wallace Lake with Kali’s 29” 10 lb catfish being the top fish lately (photos courtesy of Corey Butram).

Bob had a good week, catching a big catfish on perch gear earlier in the week then following up with his first steelhead ever in the Rocky River by the marina. The steelie hit a shad colored Rattle Trap crankbait at 8:45 a.m. (photos courtesy of Bob Janmey).

Steve caught this steelhead over the weekend fish a worm in the Rocky River behind the Lakewood dog park (photo courtesy of Ted Choukalas).

Come out and join us for the inaugural Sturgeon Fest at Merwin’s Wharf on Saturday October 4. 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>

#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