October 29, 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 is exhibiting very low and clear conditions at this time with nothing looking to change going into the weekend based on the weather forecast. The growing accumulation of leaves in the river, especially in the slower flow holes, is adding to the challenge. 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.  Given the very low water this would 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 rivers.

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. The walleye bite is best after dark for anglers casting minnow profile lures like Perfect 10 and Bandit crankbaits. Edgewater Park is an excellent options and other good spots for a variety of species include Wendy Park by the former Coast Guard station and East 55^th breakwall. Boating anglers near the Cuyahoga River lighthouse as well as at the east end of the outer city breakwall reported good fishing for yellow perch this week.

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 are 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’re 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

Amanda shared “I caught my first steelhead on the Rocky River. 25 inches. Would love it if you featured my photo in the report!” (photo courtesy of Amanda Ferrere).

Rick shared “Caught at the Rocky River October 22 using Coho eggs.” (photo courtesy of Rick Bower).

Shawn joked “Always tip your gas girl at E55th Marina fuel dock.” (photo courtesy of Shawn Pierce).

Mike sent in this photo for confirmation of the ID of this coho salmon he caught in the Chagrin River (photo courtesy of Mike Campana).

Mario shared from a good day on the water “I wanted to share a few pictures from a successful day steelhead fishing on the Rocky River on October 24. I managed to land three steelhead, with two coming from the South Mastick area and another about 2 miles from the river mouth. I was float fishing in low, clear water using spawn sacs and nightcrawlers. One took the spawn sacs and the other two at Mastick took night crawler. I've attached a few pictures in case you'd like to feature them in the weekly fishing report.  Thanks for everything you do for the local fishing community!” (photos courtesy of Mario Rios).

Wayne shows off a nice steelhead caught off Cleveland (photo courtesy of Kyle Foster).

Rock bass don’t get enough attention. They are tasty and can avoid the skunk, like they did on a recent outing for walleye by Owen (photo courtesy of Owen Lockhart).

A big THANK YOU to Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders for $2,900 is retroactive support of Fall Family Fishing Fest via Ohio Division of Wildlife grant. Above OCBS Treasurer Ben Mott presents me with the check.

Our Community Outreach program has done fantastic work launching our novel My Great Lake: Sunfish in the Classroom program in eight schools across East Cleveland and Euclid. Sunfish were generously donated by Jones Lake Management will be raised and studied by students throughout the school year. In April, students will participate in a fish release field trip at Euclid Beach, led by the entire Community Programs team.

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>