MAy 21, 2026

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May*** The Rocky River is stained from rain with more rain in the forecast throughout the weekend. 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>.

Anglers have been catching lake-run smallmouth bass and walleye in the lower Rocky River by the marina this week. Catches were coming on white/pearl 4-5” paddletail jigs (like a Keitech Fat Swing in 3.8” to 4.8”), tube jigs, and shallow diving jerkbaits.  Channel catfish, freshwater drum (sheepshead) and a few late steelhead were also being caught in the lower river and the smallmouth bass were biting throughout the main branch of the river.

A combined 1,300 lbs of rainbow trout and 1,400 lbs of farm raised channel catfish were stocked between Wallace Lake and Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation for The Spring Children’s Fishing Derbies this past weekend and plenty of those fish remain for anglers. Some rainbow trout from spring stockings also remain in the East Branch Rocky River in Millstream Run Reservation between Royalton Road to the ford river crossing just south of Wallace Lake. Additionally, Ohio Division of Wildlife stocked approximately 1,000 rainbow trout at Shadow Lake recently. Small jigs tipped with maggots or a waxworm, salmon eggs, PowerBait, minnows, worms and canned corn all have their days for trout. Casting smaller spinners, spoons and crankbaits can also account for plenty of trout, especially as the water warms and for the bigger fish. A piece of shrimp about the size of a dime fished near the bottom can catch both stocked trout and catfish.

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 courtesy docks have now been installed at all of our boat launches serving Lake Erie (including those on the Rocky River) 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>.

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

Carlos and his lil fishin’ buddy have been enjoying the outstanding spring smallmouth bass fishing in the river (photos courtesy of Carlos Velez Serrano).

David shared “I managed to catch two walleye Monday night on a large paddle tail at the 55th St marina , per your recommendation. Here’s one. Thanks!” (photo courtesy of David Farkas).

Shane and Adrianna have been enjoying pursuing Rocky River smallmouth bass this week with both spinning and fly gear (photos courtesy of Shane Frimel).

Stephen and friends have been enjoying wet wading (no waders) for a diversity of fish that are biting by the Rocky River marina this week, including walleye, channel catfish, and freshwater drum (photos courtesy of Stephen Kordella).

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>