May 7, 2026

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  The Rocky River and other area streams are elevated and muddy from rain and could be fishable again into 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>.

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 can’t say how long this bonus opportunity will last but suspect it will tail off as the waters warm.

Overall, there has been an annual passing of the torch from steelhead to lake-run smallmouth bass in our rivers. The Rocky and other area streams are currently flooded from recent rain and could be receded enough to be fishable again into the weekend. Over the past week there were excellent numbers of big lake-run smallmouth bass around as well as 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 run has already tapered off and fishing for lake -run bass will remain good through May.

Last Thursday, 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>.

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>.

A Few Notices Regarding Facilities.  The dock installation at the Rocky River boats ramps has been held up due to a dredging permit. We hope to dredge the area within the next few weeks and install the docks after. Sorry for any inconvenience and be aware the launch facilities at Edgewater, Gordon Park, and Wildwood Park are all options in the meantime. The fish cleaning station had a circuit board damaged by a power surge and needs replacement. We are in the process of ordering the part and conducting those repairs (including surge upgrade) and will open the station as soon as we can.

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

Ben (left) and Colin had a double hook-up on Rocky River smallmouth on a jerkbait and soft crawfish (photo courtesy of Ben Mott).

Clay scored a limit of Rocky River gold (walleyes) using tube jigs by the marina (photo courtesy of Clay Cutrer).

Ben landed this bruiser 21.5” smallmouth weighing in at 5.27 lbs in the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Ben Brown).

Dennis got in on the hot walleye action at the Rocky River marina this week (photo courtesy of Dennis Garrett).

Ethan caught a this golden rainbow trout at Shadow Lake (photo courtesy of Ethan Durman).

Brian caught some nice walleyes in the Rocky River and also at Edgewater Park on the same evening (these are only a few of them), as well as some bonus sheepshead. He was using shallow diving jerkbaits (photos courtesy of Brian Kich).

Joe has been appreciating the wildlife along the Rocky River this spring as much as the fishing (photos courtesy of Joe Miller).

Ken scored the “gold, silver and…..green?” from the lower Rocky River after substituting a largemouth for a smallmouth bass (photos courtesy of Ken Harper).

Wes and friends used jigging raps to make some fine catches of Cleveland walleye and yellow perch (photos courtesy of Wes Janke).

Mike isn’t quite ready to give up on the Rocky River steelhead quite yet (photo courtesy of Mike Sekerak).

Nick shows us the hot bait for him for Lake Erie shoreline walleye night fishing (photo courtesy of Nick Kosiba).

Will scored the coveted “gold, silver and bronze” from the lower Rocky River this week (photos courtesy of Will Holden).

Jared and friends have been catching walleye from the lower Rocky River as well as along the Cleveland shoreline. Folks reporting back to me on the stomach contents of Rocky River walleye they’ve harvested have been reporting lots of fish with empty stomachs, a good number of gizzard shad and a few steelhead smolts. And look at the size of that sheepshead! (recently released juvenile steelhead) (photos courtesy of Jared Kassouf).

John’s trusty white and chartreuse Clouser minnow fly scored him a Rocky River steelhead and smallmouth bass on a recent trip (photos courtesy of John Brochue).

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>