October 1, 2026

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  As the days continue to get cooler as we approach fall, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River and other area streams include steelhead trout, smallmouth bass, panfish, and channel catfish. To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link: <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 inland lake/pond anglers are primarily pursuing largemouth bass, channel catfish and panfish.

Reports of a few early returning steelhead being caught around Cleveland continued this week with the cooler temperatures. Early steelhead will show up around the rocks at Edgewater and E55th, Wildwood Park and in the northernmost river sections closer to Lake Erie (the Rocky River marina area has been the most consistent spot lately). Casting or flatline trolling a spoon (Little Cleo or KO Wobbler), spinner (Vibrax or RoosterTail) or crankbait (shallow Flicker Shad) at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with an early steelhead trout. The lower Chagrin River and Euclid Creek have also been producing a few steelhead this week. While sampling on Friday afternoon (9/25) we observed some great fish by the Rocky River marina, including 3 chrome bright coho salmon! See photos below.

Yellow perch, white perch, sunfish, walleye, channel catfish, and freshwater drum can be found along the Cleveland shoreline during the summer to fall transition. Most of these species can be caught on offerings such as a live minnow or worms fished on the lake bottom on  a crappie rig. Walleye bite best after dark on minnow profile lures like Perfect 10 and Bandit crankbaits. Good spots for many species include Wendy Park by the former Coast Guard station and East 55^th breakwall. The fishing fore yellow perch and walleye will only get better as the weather further cools. The best bite is often in the morning and late afternoon.

Anglers at our inland lakes and ponds are catching catfish, largemouth bass, and panfish. Wallace Lake, Ledge Lake, Shadow Lake, and Beyer's Pond are just a few other spots worth poking around in late summer.

Fall Family Fishing Fest is coming on Saturday, October 10!  Come out and join us for Fall Family Fishing Fest at the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation on Saturday, October 10 from 10-2:00pm  This event is free and we will have a limited number of fishing poles to loan out, as well as bait. We will be stocking 600 lbs of channel catfish and 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout at the Ohio & Erie Canal in anticipation of the event. Although anglers of any age can participate, prizes in several categories will be reserved for kids 15 years old and under.  Thank you to Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders for supporting this great event with grant funds. More event info here: <2026 Fall Family Fishing Fest>

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 (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

Seth shared “Pearl caught her first steelhead Sunday in the Rocky River and was very excited!” (photo courtesy of Seth Robinson).

Mark shared on Tuesday morning regarding his well earned catch “After about 11 months of attempting to catch my first steelhead, finally landed this beautiful girl casting spoons and spinners around the Marina. Thanks for all you do!” (photo courtesy of Mark Hedegore).

Royce was casting a Little Cleo spoon by the Rocky River marina prospecting for steelhead when he caught this nice consolation smallmouth bass (photos courtesy of Royce Honaker).

Corey shared “My son connected with a fish Ohio Sunday on the boat 42 fow trolling a Stinger spoon (confusion color) out by the Cleveland crib only 35' back. His first one manI It's 32" If you can put it in the report id appreciate it. BTW, the Steelhead Expo was great he went to kindergarten with a lamprey temporary tattoo on his neck todayand he thought he was the man lol” (photos courtesy of Corey Reed).

On Friday afternoon (9/25) we electrofished by the Rocky River marina to acquire a few live steelhead to display in a big aquarium at the Steelhead Expo. This is an annual sampling that gives us a nice early season measuring stick of how many fish are around, as well. The big surprise was not one but THREE chrome bright coho salmon (top 3 photos, all released). These are most definitely straying down from Lake Huron waters where there is a robust coho stocking program. We also observed the “gold, silver and bronze” (walleye, steelhead, and smallmouth bass in the bottom 3 photos). Overall, we saw maybe 15 or so steelhead with the bottom photo being the largest, which is right around average for sampling that area this time of year.

You can look cool 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>