September 24, 2026
***NOTE: The Fishing Report Blog is back to regular weekly Thursday updates from September-May*** As the days 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, channel catfish and carp. 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 early returning steelhead being caught around Cleveland perked up a bit this week with the cooler temperatures and rain. 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.
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 near the lake bottom. Walleye bite best after dark on minnow profile lures like Perfect 10 and Bandit crankbaits. A few yellow perch and white perch have made appearances at the shoreline at spots like Wendy Park by the former Coast Guard station recently and will only get better as the weather further cools. The best bite is often in the morning and late afternoon.
In addition to anxiously anticipating the steelhead run to kick into higher gear, anglers are pursuing a mix of warm water species in the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers. Last week we sampled by the Rocky River Marina to acquire a few specimen fish for display at Sturgeon Fest and there were lots of fish around. We observed a bunch of sub-legal and two legal size walleye, about a half dozen steelhead, plenty of freshwater drum, and a smattering of white bass, channel catfish, and largemouth and smallmouth bass.
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.
Steelhead Expo at the Rocky River Nature Center this Saturday, September 26. The 32nd annual Steelhead Expo is a great way to kick off the steelhead season and will be held at the Rocky River Nature Center from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26. This event is a collaborative effort between the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders and Cleveland Metroparks and will offer a full day of expert speakers and seminars, vendors, and other related information to usher in the fall steelhead season. There is no charge for the event but OCBS, a non-profit sportman's group which is very active in the local fishing and conservation communities, is offering a raffle as a fundraiser so donations or participation in the raffle is encouraged. Location info here: <Rocky River Nature Center>.
Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders- A Model Partner! Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders sportsman’s club has been supporting Cleveland Metroparks children’s fishing derbies since the late 1980’s. And in the past 10 years alone they have garnered $80.7K to support the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund in the form of direct donations, obtaining ODNR grants, and running fundraisers. They also collaborate with Cleveland Metroparks to offer the Steelhead Expo and their volunteers regularly assist with our youth and family fishing derbies and river clean-ups.They routinely schedule great steelhead fishing expert speakers at their meetings (which are open to anyone) and host tournaments for their members. Check them out and/or join at <OCBS website>. Thank you to Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders for your ongoing and much appreciated support, without which our public fisheries program would not be as good as it is!
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 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 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
Joe reported was fish the Rocky River for bass over the weekend and had quite a surprise! He shared “Just got this one today (Sunday). Heck of a fish! Was throwing the Zman micro chatterbait in bluegill color with an orange craw trailer” (photo courtesy of Joe Moore).
Dennis (top) and Zack caught a white perch dinner at E55th breakwall (photos courtesy of Dennis Garrett).
John was trolling Flicker Shads from a kayak on the lower Rocky River hoping for an early steelhead and caught some smallmouth bass as a consolation prize (photo courtesy of John Brochue).
Ken sneaked out on the Rocky River before work on Monday morning and was rewarded with 4 fresh steelhead. Note: the average angler should not be expecting this result this early in the run, as Ken has been fishing for steelhead on the Rocky River for 40 years and knows it inside and out (photos courtesy of Ken Harper).
Mandy caught and released this bruiser 34” channel catfish on Lake Erie in early September (photo courtesy of Mandy Velkoff).
The 2nd annual Sturgeon Fest at Merwin’s Wharf this past Saturday, September 19 was a huge hit! Above are just a few of the many folks who posed with the 6 foot sturgeon or a photo op. Our partners at Cuyahoga county put together a nice video recapping the event that can be viewed here: <Sturgeon Fest 2026 Highlights>
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>