November 12, 2026

***NOTE:  The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  In fall highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include steelhead trout and smallmouth bass. To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check 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 – scroll down at link>. Lake Erie anglers are primarily targeting walleye and yellow perch and anglers at the Ohio & Erie Canal are targeting recently stocked rainbow trout and channel catfish.

The extended low and clear river flows have continued this week with lots of fallen leaves adding to the challenge for anglers. Looking ahead forecasters are calling for a wet wintery mix of weather leading into the weekend and anglers can check the flow data links offered above to keep abreast of the situation. We really need a substantial amount of rain to give stream a major bump in flow. Despite the tough conditions a handful of lucky anglers caught steelhead this week. Steelhead can also be found along the rocks at Edgewater Park and E55th and Wildwood Park breakwalls. Casting a medium size spoon (Little Cleo or KO Wobbler- silver with blue or chartreuse works well) or spinner (Vibrax or RoosterTail- silver and white or chartreuse can work well) or drifting a jig tipped with a few maggots nightcrawler 4-6 feet below a bobber are as good a bet as any for connecting with an early steelhead trout. Given the very low water, at least until we receive substantial rainfall, this is also be a good time to go exploring the larger Cuyahoga River and scouting for fishing spots. Smallmouth bass are also available in deeper holes throughout the Rocky, Chagrin, and Cuyahoga.

Yellow perch and walleye are top targets along the Cleveland shoreline in early fall. Most Lake Erie fish species can be caught on offerings such as a live minnow or worms fished on the lake bottom on a crappie rig. The walleye bite has been best after dark for anglers casting minnow profile lures like Perfect 10 and Bandit crankbaits, although don’t hesitate to try out different lure offerings such as spoons, lipless rattle crankbaits, and paddletail swimbaits. Edgewater Park, E55th brreakwall, and Wendy Park by the former Coast Guard station are all great spots.  Boating anglers near the Cuyahoga River lighthouse as well as at the east end of the outer city breakwall are targeting yellow perch using live and salted emerald shiner minnows near the bottom on spreaders and crappie rigs.

In early October, we stocked 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout and 600 lbs of channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street and a fair number of those fish remain. The trout averaged 1.5 lbs each and the catfish average 2-3 lbs, but we included a handful of bigger fish and a few golden rainbow trout to keep things interesting. Trout bite good on a dime size ball of PowerBait about a foot from a sinker on the bottom, small marabou or hair jigs tipped with a few maggots about 2 feet under a small bobber and on smaller spinners. Either species can be caught on a piece of nightcrawler or chunk of cooked shrimp fished on the canal bottom. The trout are particularly fond of hanging out under the footbridge over the canal.

Trout Stocking Change this Upcoming Winter. Due to extremely tight budget constraints this year we will not be stocking our first bunch of trout this winter until early January 2027. We typical stock them in mid-December. Then we will stock the second bunch sometime in February. The same number of fish will be stocked overall but it will be delayed due to Cleveland Metroparks being on an annual budget cycle that aligns with the calendar year.

Fishing Regulations Change. Our recent proposed changes to the numbers of fishing lines allowed at select Cleveland Metroparks locations was overwhelmingly supported (93% in favor) based on a poll of 350 local anglers. With that noted the regulation went into effect on July 18, 2026. The change is that only 2 fishing lines per angler, which will include tip-ups for ice fishing, will be allowed at the following locations: Wallace, Ledge, Judges, Ranger, and Bunns lakes; Beyers, Strawberry, Acacia, Garfield, and Astorhurst ponds; and Oxbow Lagoon in Rocky River Reservation. Waters not included are joint management areas with the Ohio Division of Wildlife where we default to their regulation of 3 lines and up to 6 tip-ups (the latter for ice fishing) per angler.

Photo Release Waivers for Fishing Blog Photos. 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

Steve has been catching steelhead and smallmouth bass on good old fashioned worms as well as Trout Slayer jigs tipped with maggots (photos courtesy of Ted Choukalas).

Kevin has been having a great time fishing the Lake Erie shore around Cleveland and shared “The biggest perch I got was 13”. Whiskey Island has been good to me the last week I’ve punched my 10 fish perch limit 3 times. Light taps but they’re tapping. The drum and walleye have been keeping things busy when the perch slow down.” (photos courtesy of Kevin Kertis Jr).

John shared regarding swinging up this silver beauty “I went down to the Cuyahoga and got this fish. Fish grabbed and missed three times before I finally got it. As i fished my way down the pool, I actually saw it come over the top of the riffle. Its tail splashed a few times as it kicked up River. It was a long steep cast to move the fly across slowly enough.” (photo courtesy of John Brochue).

Juan has been catching a mix of walleye and steelhead casting smaller spoons along the Lake Erie shoreline (photos courtesy of Juan Jeffrey).

Carlos and a buddy scored this beautiful bronze smallmouth double (photo courtesy of Carlos Velez Serrano).

Matt shared “Had been out steelhead fishing in the morning and walleye fishing late evening into the night. Walleye have been prime feeding from 6-8:30 p.m. on majority of the week's nights. Bigger fish have hit stick baits and the juveniles have hit swimbaits. Jigging a swim bait I saw a 9 pound walleye caught on a chartreuse color aggressively jigging with 12in hops around 12 a.m. I had caught my steelhead on a slip bobber set up drifting my white zonkers around with a blood dot egg, while casting a Rooster Tail. Broke spinner off from a cast & then the rod laying the pier started sliding haha. Caught a few catfish on the same rig. Walleye hit a pink body/white belly Bandit around 7 p.m. Few Jumbo perch being caught along with gobies and white bass. Shad and minnows were thick as well and so walleye definitely had a buffet. 20.5in. Steelhead, 18.5 walleye, 25in walleye. Didn't measure the rock bass. Thanks for taking the time to read this email and have a great day!” (photos courtesy of Matt Arroyo).

A nice Cuyahoga River resident smallmouth bass (photo courtesy of Derek Schaffer).

You can show your colors and support Cleveland Metroparks at the same time with our new fishing cap and T shirt. You can purchase online at these links <fishing hat> <fishing shirt> and they will also be available at select nature center and marina shops.

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, Steelhead Alley Outfitters, www.steelheadalleyoutfitters.com  (888) 453-5899

#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>