May 14, 2026

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  The Rocky River and other area streams are dropping into good fishing conditions. 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>.

Despite the stained water the excellent fishing has continued this week for walleye in the lower Rocky River by the marina (see photos below). Anglers have been hooking up on white/pearl 4-5” paddletail jigs (like a Keitech Fat Swing in 3.8” to 4.8”), tube jigs, and shallow diving jerkbaits. There is no evidence that these fish spawned in the river and are instead around voraciously feeding post-spawn. The lower river offers a plethora of smaller fish and food items and although some walleye are around the lower river every spring, the sheer number and size of the fish is unprecedented. I would expect this neat opportunity to last until the waters warm further. 

Fishing has also been excellent for big lake-run smallmouth bass around as well as an opportunity for 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 has already tapered off and fishing for lake -run bass will remain good throughout May.

On April 30th we stocked 900 lbs of rainbow trout in Wallace Lake. 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 as the water warms and for 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 and 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>.  Be aware that Wallace Lake north of the swimming area and the Ohio & Erie Canal fishing area are both posted as closed to fishing until the end of the derbies on Saturday and Sunday (both are clearly posted as such with signs).

Rocky River Nature Center Shoreline Protection Project.  Anyone who fishes the river near the Nature Center has likely noticed the erosion of the cliff over the years. Cleveland Metroparks will be undertaking a project to remedy this issue this spring through fall. Anglers should be aware that at times the project will require equipment in the water which will temporarily be stirring up sediment. All work will be properly permitted. Also be aware that any modest amounts of sediment stirred during the project are minimal compared to the amount of sediment this project will save from being eroded into the river in the future. Please heed any restricted area signs in and around the construction zone as they are important to your safety. For more on the project please check out this link: <Rocky River Shoreline Protection Project>.

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 proudly shows off the first largemouth bass he ever caught.

Victor caught his first steelhead on the fly rod from the Rocky River yesterday (photos courtesy of Victor).

Kyle scored a Rocky River walleye on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Kyle Radatz).

Chris shared “Found some gold on The Rocky Saturday morning. Both were about 25 inches caught on a Junebug colored Zman FattyZ TRD and released.” (photos courtesy of Chris Balser).

Juan caught a walleye and a bonus Fish Ohio white bass along the Cleveland shoreline after dark (photos courtesy of Juan Jeffrey).

Clay and Nick recently caught the “gold and bronze” from the lower Rocky River by the boat ramps (photos courtesy of Clay Cutrer).

Ken hit the lower Rocky Tuesday morning and despite the muddy water caught two walleye and last another, with the larger fish being a 29 incher (photos courtesy of Ken Harper).

Derek is catching some fine walleye after dark lately (photos courtesy of Derek Wilson).

Matt shows off a nice smallie and walleye caught along the lake Erie shoreline (photos courtesy of Matt Arroyo).

During a school fish collection electrofishing outing last Friday we turned up LOTS of largemouth and smallmouth bass in Gordon Park harbor.

Our FREE Children’s Spring Fishing Derbies are this Saturday and Sunday!

The annual Rocky River Volunteer Clean-Up will be on Saturday June 6. Folks can register at the QR code in the flyer above.

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>