February 5, 2026

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  Ice fishers are heading out on Cleveland Metroparks inland lakes and ponds as well as in Cleveland area Lake Erie harbors. A total of 6,500 pounds of mixed trout were stocked throughout the winbter between 5 Cleveland Metroparks waters (details below). The Rocky River and other local streams are iced up with extremely limited open water and that will not be changing soon based on the forecasted weather. River water level and temperature trend can be found 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>.  Note: ice formation on the sensors can lead to erroneous flow readings.

Area rivers are largely frozen over and the situation will not be improving soon based on the extended weather forecast. For the most diehard of river anglers, the larger Cuyahoga River is the best choice in winter as it has more flow and ices up less rapidly than smaller streams. In fact, some anglers have been venturing onto the sluggish, deeper area by the Rocky River boat ramps to ice fish for steelhead (note: river ice is more hazardous than ice on smaller lakes and only experienced ice fishers should consider doing this). 

Anglers have been ice fishing on Metroparks lakes and ponds, with most pursuing trout. In mid January, 3,000 lbs of mixed trout were stocked at five Cleveland Metroparks lakes as follows: Wallace (1,300 lbs, Shadow (750 lbs), Ledge (600 lbs), Ranger (200 lbs) and Judge’s (150 lbs) lakes. These fish complement the 3,500 lbs of trout stocked in the same locations back in mid December. A video of our crew stocking trout using a slide that was widely viewed on our social media can be watched <here>.  The bulk were rainbow trout averaging a pound each although there were plenty of bonus brook, brown, golden rainbow, cutbow (cutthroat x rainbow hybrid), and even rare tiger (brook x brown hybrid) trout and blueback rainbow trout (new this year) to keep things interesting. A number of the fish were of trophy proportions. Small marabou or hair jigs tipped with a few maggots or a waxworm, a dime sized ball of Power Bait, and smallish to medium size jigging spoons are all great offerings to try for trout. This concludes our winter trout stocking for the season. Panfish as well as some largemouth bass and channel catfish are also being caught on our inland lakes.

Anglers have been out in force on the ice of Cleveland area Lake Erie harbors for a variety of species. Off the public boat ramps at Gordon and Edgewater parks, as well as marinas at E55th and Wildwood are all good options for ice fishing access. Anglers catch a mix of yellow perch, sunfish, steelhead, largemouth bass, and northern pike along with others species. A small to medium size jigging spoon (ie Little Cleo or Kastmaster) and small jigs tipped with maggots or a waxworm are popular choices, as are live minnows if you can find them. I was recently a guest on the popular 120 Outdoors Podcast to cover all aspects of ice fishing for steelhead in Great Lakes harbors and if you are interested in listening that can be found <here>.

This is shaping up to be one of our best years for local ice in a decade! For those new to ice fishing we offer the following safety advice. Most state conservation agencies recommend at least 4" of solid ice before anglers should venture out to ice fish, and in Cleveland Metroparks it is the angler's responsibility to check that. One method is to use a spud bar near shore and check the ice thickness, and if it is > 4 inches then walk out a little further and check again. Ice is often thinnest right at the water's edge and around inlets and outlets of the waterbody. Heavy snow serves to insulate the water and slow additional ice formation, as well. A pair of emergency ice picks held at the ready on a cord around the neck are a safety must and ice cleats can be helpful when there is not much snow on the ice. Other safety tips are to always fish with a friend, let someone know where you'll be, and focus on areas near where other anglers have already been fishing.

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 

Chuck caught this bruiser steelhead through the ice along the Cleveland shoreline on a surprisingly small jig tipped with a few waxworms (photo courtesy of Chuck Naujoks).

Corey and two buddies had a great day catching panfish in a Cleveland Metroparks harbor on Lake Erie. He did note this followed a few much slower days, so perseverance paid off! Harbors that can be ice fished are detailed in the report above (photos courtesy of Corey Reed).

Brian displays a few of his better trout caught ice fishing at Wallace Lake this week (photos courtesy of Brian Kich).

A video we recently filmed of stocking trout with a waterslide was the most viewed reel ever on the Cleveland Metroparks Facebook page (over 500K views). Check it out <here>.

I recently sat down to talk with Don and Chris at the award winning 120 Outdoors Podcast and we covered all about ice fishing for steelhead in Great Lakes harbors. I also relay the story of this doubleheader of trophy steelhead my wife and I caught and released through the ice a few years ago (that was only her third steelhead ever caught). Check out the interview <here>. (that link is on Apple, but you can also find it on Spotify).

February 16, 2026 at 7pm - Join the Points North podcast team at Collision Bend Brewing Company in Cleveland for Pints North Trivia Season 4.

Love the Great Lakes? Spend an evening at Collision Bend Brewing Company in Cleveland, OH for a friendly night of trivia centered on the land, water, and inhabitants of our incredible region.  Hosted by the award-winning Points North podcast team, it’s the perfect chance to grab a drink, connect with neighbors, and win some great prizes—including custom pint glasses.  Whether you're a local expert or just curious about our home, everyone is welcome at this free public event!  Also, you can support Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund by enjoying a tasty Steelhead Sipper ale, with $2 from each of this brew sold supporting Metroparks fishing thanks to Collision Bend Brewing and Mad River Outfitters

Collision Bend Brewing Company Cleveland
1250 Old River Rd
Cleveland, OH 44113

(Also check out their Euclid location on Babbitt Road)
https://www.collisionbendbrewery.com/

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

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