April 30, 2026

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May*** The Rocky River and other area streams are elevated and stained from rain and weekend conditions will depend on how much more rain we receive. Anglers are advised to keep an eye on river trends at the following links: <Rocky River flow gage data><Chagrin River flow gage data> <Rocky River NEORSD station with turbidity><Rocky River Main Branch live feed camera>.

A shocking observation this week has been a large number of walleye caught from the lower Rocky River by the marina (see a few photos below). One of the guys who made the big catch pictured noted that some of the fish “coughed up” juvenile steelhead trout after being caught so they may well be around to capitalize on the recent stocking (don’t fret as tens of thousands of the little trout were released and predation is part of the equation). That same guy released a few legal walleyes after getting a limit, and another hooked several landing two on his fly rod!  I can’t say how long this unprecedented bonus opportunity will last but likely not much longer as the waters warm.

Overall, there has been an annual passing of the torch from steelhead to lake-run smallmouth bass in our rivers. The Rocky and other area streams are currently offering good fishing conditions and that looks like it should continue into the weekend. This week there are good numbers of excellent numbers of big lake-run smallmouth bass around as well as some remaining steelhead.  Casting minnow/shad mimicking lures (crankbaits, jigs, spoons and spinners) can yield an angler the “gold, silver and bronze” (walleye, steelhead and lake-run smallmouth bass) from the lower river areas, such as by the Rocky River marina, this time of year. The steelhead run will continue to taper off as the river warms and fishing for lake -run bass will remain good through May.

Today we plan to stock 900 lbs of rainbow trout in Wallace Lake. These fish were originally slated for the East Branch Rocky River but with abundant rain in the forecast this week we wanted to make sure they are available to anglers while spring lasts.  This concludes our scheduled spring trout stocking other than in mid May associated with our spring children;s fishing derbies. On March 17 and April 7 we stocked a combined 1,800 lbs of rainbow trout in the East Branch Rocky River in Millstream Run Reservation between Royalton Road to the ford river crossing just south of Wallace Lake. Additionally, on March 31 we stocked 900 lbs of rainbow trout at Wallace Lake and the Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked approximately 1,000 rainbow trout at Shadow Lake on Monday (the fish the state stocks are smaller and perfect for kids). Small jigs tipped with maggots or a waxworm, salmon eggs, PowerBait, minnows, worms and canned corn all have their days. Casting smaller spinners, spoons and crankbaits can also account for plenty of trout, especially the bigger fish.

As a reminder trout limits vary by location.  In the river this time of year the limit is 2 trout (of any kind) per day of minimum 12” size. The limit is 3 trout per day with no size limit at Wallace, Ledge, Ranger, and Judge’s lakes. At Shadow Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area the limit is 5 trout per day with no size limit.

Along the Cleveland shoreline Gordon, Edgewater and Wendy parks, as well as marinas at E55th and Wildwood, are all good options for mixed catches of yellow perch, walleye (especially after dark), sunfish, steelhead, largemouth bass, and northern pike along with others species when the water is not too stained from rain and wave activity. A walleye hot spot after dark has been at the end of the Wendy Park pier at the old Coast Guard station. The docks at Edgewater and E72nd/Gordon Park public boat ramps were installed recently (the Rocky River docks are not in yet due to all the high water and needing conduct annual dredging in the area). The fish cleaning station at Gordon Park/E72nd has not reopened for the season yet. Daily launch fees can be paid onsite with a smart phone and annual passes for Cleveland Metroparks boat launches can be purchased online <here>.

Children’s Spring Fishing Derbies are coming May 16 & 17.  Our Cleveland Metroparks Spring Chidren’s Fishing Derbies are a multi-generation old tradition and will be held at Wallace Lake on Saturday, May 16 and Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation on Sunday, May 17. More info on the events <here>.

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 will 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

A young angler smiles with his big rainbow trout catch from Wallace Lake (photo courtesy of John Kronander).

Bryant shared “Took my son fishing on the Chagrin river on 4/23 in hopes of capitalizing on lake run smallmouths and steelhead. He was able to hook into a nice smallmouth, it spit the hook just as he was about to land it. We fished for another hour without luck.  Thank you for producing the fishing report.” (photo courtesy of Bryant Gaskell).

I’ve fished the Rocky River my whole life and this walleye catch by the marina on Tuesday by Chuck, Jared and friends was among the most surprising catches I’ve ever seen from the river.  The walleyes are in the lower river for the post-spawn feeding opportunity but I’ve never seen this many (photos courtesy of Chuck Naujoks).

Speaking of walleye, local fly fishing expert John Brochue caught two of them on his fly rod in the Rocky River by the marina yesterday along with a variety of other species.  His “hot fly” has been a chartreuse and white Clouser minnow (photos courtesy of John Brochue).

Gavin scored his first “silver and bronze” on the Rocky River this week (photos courtesy of Bruce Campbell).

Kylie displays a big freshwater drum and rock bass caught along the Cleveland shoreline this week. She reported losing a huge northern pike there this week, too (photos courtesy of Kylie Kwon).

Chris declared “I love Spring!” as he pursued some of the last steelhead of the season (photos courtesy of Chris Ligan).

Nick has been braving the Cleveland shoreline after dark from his canoe and catching plenty of walleye. Note: night fishing Lake Erie from a canoe is very risky and not recommended unless you are VERY experienced (photos courtesy of Nick Kosiba).

John shows off a late April steelhead from the East Branch Rocky River 9photo courtesy of John Hall).

Chuck and Aaron put a beatdown on the Cleveland lakefront largemouth ad smallmouth bass (photos courtesy of Chuck Naukoks).

Note: The fishing report is updated monthly in June, July, and August and weekly every other month

***Note: All photo submissions must first complete the Cleveland Metroparks photo waiver.***

2026 Cleveland Metroparks Registered Fishing Guides (name, company, contact)

#26-001 Jeff Liskay, Great Lakes Flyfishing LLC, [email protected] (440) 781-7536

#26-002 Monte Casey, Steelhead Guide, (440) 773-8064 www.steelheadguide.com

#26-003 Gareth Thomas, Alley Grabs Guide Service, [email protected] (216) 235-5056

#26-004 Jim Lingenfelter, Wild Ohio Outdoors Guide Service, (440) 731-9160  www.wildohiooutdoorguide.com

#26-005 Lucas Smith, What That Vise Do LLC, [email protected] (724) 841-1564

#26-006 Sean Sudimak, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com  (888) 453-5899

#26-007 Nicholas DelVecchio, Wildwood Outfitters, [email protected] (724) 433-2315

#26-008 Cole Jaskiewicz, Chagrin River Outfitters, [email protected] (330) 357-7998

#26-009 Michael Kainec, Chagrin River Outfitters, [email protected] (440) 668-3398

More information on Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Guide Permit requirements, including the permit application, you may check the following link: <Fishing Guide Permit Program>