October 22, 2026

***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May***  In early 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 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.

The Rocky River got a moderate bump in flow this past weekend but is back to low and clear conditions. The growing accumulation of leaves in the river, especially in the slower flow holes, is adding to the challenge. Looking at the extended forecast we shouldn’t expect that to change going into this weekend. A handful of lucky anglers caught steelhead trout this week and as we continue to get rain and cooler weather more fish will be coaxed into local streams (the Rocky River marina area has been the most consistent spot lately).  Steelhead catches along the rocks at Edgewater Park and E55th and Wildwood Park breakwalls appears to be slower than usual for this time of year. 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 continued producing a few steelhead this week.

Many anglers know that smallmouth bass fishing in our rivers is fantastic in spring (April-May in particular) when the football shaped lake-run “smallies” are in. But some folks are less aware that there are also good opportunities for quality size resident smallmouth bass in the streams in fall. One angler in particular, Carlos Velez Serrano, really has them dialed in on the Rocky River and he provided lots of evidence in the photos below (all recent catches)! Carlos often finds that downsizing to a finesse approach, like a 2” stonefly nymph on a ned jig, can entice them to bite. He is even catching a few incidental steelhead in the process. And seeing his results in the photos below I would certainly heed his advice.

Yellow perch, white perch, sunfish, walleye, channel catfish, and freshwater drum can be found along the Cleveland shoreline in early fall.  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. A brights spot has been an uptick in the number of walleye caught from shore at Edgewater Park this week. Walleye bite best after dark on minnow profile lures like Perfect 10 and Bandit crankbaits. Other good spots for a variety of species include Wendy Park by the former Coast Guard station and East 55^th breakwall. The fishing for yellow perch and walleye typically gets better as the weather further cools and the best bite is often in the morning and late afternoon.

Earlier this month we stocked 1,000 lbs of rainbow trout and 600 lbs of channel catfish at the Ohio & Erie Canal off E49th Street. 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 shrimp fished on the canal bottom. The trout seem to be particularly fond of hanging out under the footbridge over the canal.

Steelhead observations so far this season. I am beginning to hear grumblings from some local anglers that the steelhead numbers seem below average again this year (we’ve coming off of two slow years in a row). I’m not reading too much into it yet, especially since streams have been so low and it has just recently begun cooling off. But more concerning to me is few reports of steelhead having shown up along the Lake Erie shoreline and low catch rates of incidental steelhead by Lake Erie walleye boat anglers. As is always the case, time will tell but I felt it was worth mentioning.

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

Daniel caught this beautiful chrome steelhead by the marina this week (photo courtesy of Daniel Breuler).

Royce caught a rainbow trout dinner at the recently stocked Ohio & Erie Canal (photo courtesy of Royce Honaker).

Bob shared from Lake Erie “Brothers Bob and Jeff caught nearly every species on Monday including 1 huge catfish, 1 sheephead, a dozen small white bass, a couple dozen walleye (all 8” or less) all released, 13 perch of which 11 were jumbos.” (photos courtesy of Bob Janmey).

Chelsea scored a fine walleye on the lower Rocky River (photos courtesy of Connor Floyd).

Chris shared on Wednesday “I caught and released my first steelhead of the season today. I caught this beautiful freshie on a Crappie Tube Jig by Emerald Necklace Marina.” (photo courtesy of Chris Balser).

On Monday afternoon, this gentleman was a couple yellow perch away from catching his limit from shore at Wendy Park at the former Coast Guard Station.

In late summer, Kylie and Hannah caught some bruiser flathead catfish in the Cuyahoga River (photos courtesy of Kylie Kwon).

Scott took his father to the mouth of the Rocky River in a boat and dad caught this fresh steelie (photo courtesy of Scott Douglass Sorrell).

I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so dailed in on the fall Rocky River smallmouth bass as Carlos. He is using finesse techniques like this 2” rubber nymph and has even caught some accidental steelhead! I told him his new nickname is the “Final Smallmouth Boss of the Rocky River”! (photos courtesy of Carlos Velez Serrano).

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>