August 6, 2026

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is updated weekly on Thursdays from September-May and monthly from June-August***  As we transition into late summer, highlight species targeted around Cleveland Metroparks include walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, panfish, channel catfish, and common carp. To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link: <Rocky River East Branch 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>. Please note: the Fishing Blog is updated once a month in June, July, and August and back to weekly in September.

Summer means family fishing time for many folks, and panfish are perfect for a leisurely picnic and fishing outing. Bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed and other sunfish species can be taken with a number of offerings, but a waxworm or redworm on a smaller hook suspended under a modest sized bobber and cast around shoreline structure is always a good choice. Wallace Lake, Shadow Lake, Strawberry Pond and Lakefront Reservation are just a few of many places in the parks to wet a line for various panfish species. Early mornings and dusk are typically better times to fish during the heat of summer. Largemouth bass fishing can be a worthwhile pursuit at Wallace Lake and Lake Erie harbors.

Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers during the day in summer, and often move to the heads of such pools in the early morning and evening hours to feed. A dark olive or brown tube jig of 3-4" length, ned or dropshot rig, other lures/flies that imitate minnows or crayfish, and live bait are all offerings that can catch smallmouth. Rock bass are also present in the same river areas and can be caught using the same types of offerings.

Channel catfish and large carp are also found in the rivers in summer and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water. On June 27th, a total of 1,600 lbs of farm raised channel catfish were stocked between Shadow Lake (400 lbs), Ledge Lake (200 lbs), Strawberry Pond (200 lbs), Oxbow Lagoon (200 lbs), Judge’s Lake (200 lbs), Ranger Lake (200lbs), and Beyer’s Pond (200 lbs – this one was added this year). Channel catfish stocked in late May also remain to be caught at Wallace Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area. Catfish often bite best during the evening using baits such as nightcrawlers, raw shrimp, chicken liver, and processed dough baits.

Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails. The key to fishing for either carp or catfish is fishing on the river/lake bottom.  In addition, freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch, and bullhead catfish are also available in the northern river reaches (north of Lorain Road bridge) in summer. For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing a nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a sinker.

The walleye bite has been fair in 65-70 feet of water out of Gordon (E72nd) and Edgewater parks. Trolling spoons behind dipsy divers as well as deep diving crankbaits have been the most common presentations. Additionally, diverse fishing opportunities including (but not limited to) rock bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, catfish, freshwater drum and sunfish species can be found along the Cleveland shoreline of Lake Erie on offerings such as tube jigs and live minnows.

Cleveland Anglers club meeting on September 22. I will be doing a talk at an upcoming Cleveland Anglers club meeting and group rep Jerry Darkes shared: Join us as we kick off the new Cleveland Anglers season with a great presentation!  Cleveland Metroparks fisheries biologist, Mike Durkalec, will be our guest on Tuesday, September 22, at Merwin’s Wharf (1785 Merwin Ave., Cleveland 44113).Durkalec will bring us up to date on the various projects he is working on within the park system.  The Cleveland Metroparks are consistently rated as having one of the top urban fisheries programs in the U.S.  Doors open at 6:00 PM with the presentation at 7:00 PM. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Not cost to attend, but please RSVP to [email protected] so we have an accurate guest count.

Fishing Regulations Change.  Our recent proposed changes to the numbers of fishing lines allowed at select Cleveland Metroparks locations was overwhelmingly supported (93% in favor) based on a poll of 350 local anglers.  With that noted the regulation change will go into affect on July 18, 2026. The change is that only 2 fishing lines per angler, which will include tip-ups for ice fishing, will be allowed at the following locations: Wallace, Ledge, Judges, Ranger, and Bunns lakes; Beyers, Strawberry, Acacia, Garfield, and Astorhurst ponds; and Oxbow Lagoon in Rocky River Reservation. Waters not included are joint management areas with the Ohio Division of Wildlife where we default to their regulation of 3 lines and up to 6 tip-ups (the latter for ice fishing) per angler. 

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

Another happy “customer” from one of the many fishing outings hosted by our Community Outreach program.

Cynthia shared regarding this impressive catfish “Just wanted to share this catch!  Luke Lytell, 16, of Rocky River, Ohio, caught this 9lb channel catfish on a Carolina Rig baited with shrimp while fishing Lake Erie on July 26th. The fish was released after a quick photo.” (photo courtesy of Cynthia Lytell).

Eric and his daughter caught some Rocky River smallmouth bass on pumpkin colored tube jigs (photo courtesy of Eric Fortuna).

PJ shared regarding this fine catch “Thought I would share a nice smallie I landed 7/16 nearby the ford at Rockliff in the Rocky River. Caught on a Texas rigged crawfish.” (photo courtesy of PJ O’Reilly).

Jesse reports “Found a few large mouth and drum fishing near E55th Marina in the Kayaks with my dad!” (photos courtesy of Jesse Bacha).

Vinny (top) and his buddy show off a couple of recent tackle buster catches (photos courtesy of Brian DiGioia).

Some yellow perch are biting from shore at Wendy Park by the old Coast Guard station.

Ty and his buddies had a fun trip casting for walleye on Lake Erie with captain Jeff Liskay (photos courtesy of Ty Smith).

Chris caught his first gar ever on a crayfish fly while on the Rocky River (photos courtesy of Chris Donlon).

Joe shows off a bruiser Wallace Lake channel catfish (photo courtesy of Joe Dirk).

Mike had a fun outing catching several smallmouth bass from the Cuyahoga River on square bill crankbaits (photo courtesy of Mike Sekerek).

Steve caught this 28” channel catfish weighing 9.4 pounds from the Rocky River drifting a baitfish under a float (photo courtesy of ted Choukalas).

The fish cleaning station at Gordon Park is certainly a hub for telling tall fishing tales- as was underway here by Tony, Lon, Anthony, Lil John, and Sam (photo courtesy of Sam Horn).

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, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com  (888) 453-5899

#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>