January 15, 2026

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May*** The Rocky River and other local streams will begin icing up again in the near future given 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. A total of 3,500 ponds of mixed trout were stocked recently between 5 Cleveland Metroparks lakes and ponds (details below).

Some anglers this week reported an uptick in steelhead numbers in local streams, although fishing conditions can be expected to become more challenging with the winter weather in the forecast. Areas below dams and falls tend to freeze more slowly than other areas, and the larger Cuyahoga River is a good choice in winter as it has more flow and ices up less rapidly than smaller streams. In cold winter conditions slowly drifting a brightly colored dime to nickel size spawn sack can be very productive as are small marabou jig tipped with a few maggots or a Gulp minnow, salmon egg mimicking bead, or live (or salted) minnow under a float. Anglers checking out the Lake Erie shoreline should exercise caution and bring cleats and a long handled net.

In mid December Cleveland Metroparks stocked 3,500 pounds of mixed trout between Wallace (1,600 lbs, Shadow (850 lbs), Ledge (750 lbs), Judge’s (150 lbs) and Ranger (150 lbs) lakes. The bulk were rainbow trout averaging a pound each although there were plenty of bonus brook, brown, golden rainbow, and even rare tiger (brook x brown hybrid) trout and blueback rainbow trout (new this year) to keep things interesting. A few 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. A second (and final) trout stocking will occur later in January.

Although ice is unsafe at the moment folks could be ice fishing again within a week given the forecasted temperatures. For those considering ice fishing when conditions permit 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, as is an emergency length of rope. A floating "survival suit" is something you may consider, as well. 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 are already fishing. Anglers leery about going out on the ice can still pursue these trout by drilling or spudding holes the ice along shore and fishing from the safety of docks and areas where the shore slopes rapidly into deeper water, such as is common at Wallace Lake which was a former sandstone quarry.

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

Corey and Joey displays a couple of trout caught at Wallace Lake on Saturday using PowerBait and a nymph fly tipped with maggots. While some of the lake was still iced over there was plenty of open water to fish, although that should be expected to be short lived given the forecast (photos courtesy of Corey Butram).

Longtime steelhead angler Brion McCutcheon caught this coho salmon on Sunday while drifting a small egg sack. Salmon have been caught I local streams everything month going back to October, pacific salmon around here typical run in fall so this one was on the late side. Here’s a Cleveland Magazine <article> detailing the uptick in local salmon this season (photo courtesy of Brion McCutcheon).

Veteran steelheader Ken Harper displays a beautiful chrome hen steelhead caught in the Rocky River on Monday morning. He noted an uptick in numbers and size of steelhead recently, although winter weather is going to make catching them more difficult this week (photo courtesy of Ken Harper).

Brian caught a nice largemouth bass as well as a big golden rainbow trout and colorful standard rainbow trout at Wallace Lake this week (photos courtesy of Brian Kich).

Congratulations to Justin on catching his first steelhead of 2026 in the Rocky River on Tuesday. You know they are fresh from the lake when they have those silver streaks in the tail! (photos courtesy of Justin McGee).

Nick scored a pair of steelhead in Euclid Creek on Friday. There is public access to the creek at Wildwood Park (photo courtesy of Nick Kosiba).

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>