September 3, 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 smallmouth bass, panfish, channel catfish and carp with a watchful eye looking for the first returning steelhead trout as temperatures cool. 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 very first reports of steelhead being caught around Cleveland have come in! At least one fish was landed by the Rocky River boat ramps as well as a second that got the itch to run all the way upstream to the Rocky River Nature Center ford. Although numbers of steelhead currently are not really target-worthy, as the weather cools more 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 is one such spot). Casting a spoon (ie Little Cleo or KO Wobbler) or spinner (ie Vibrax or RoosterTail) at these locations are as good a bet as any for connecting with an early steelhead trout. These same areas may also produce a few walleye after dark as the temperature cools, as well, with Perfect 10 and other shallow running stick-style crankbaits working well. 

Yellow perch, bluegill, white perch channel catfish,, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum and other panfish species can be found along the Cleveland shoreline in late summer and can be caught on offerings such as a live minnow, bit or worm, tube jigs, and dropshot and ned rigs. Although not consistent from day to day, 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 have been biting on bits of worms or small minnow fished on the bottom on a crappie rig.  The best bite is often in the morning and late afternoon.

In addition to anxiously anticipating some early returning steelhead anglers are pursuing a mix of warmwater species in the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers. Smallmouth bass are the most sought after among them and bite best at the heads of deeper pools. A dark olive or brown tube jig 3-4" length or ned rig in the same colors are among the best producers of bass in the rivers. "Smallies" also bite well on live bait (ie: minnow, crayfish, and leeches), lures (ie: spinners and minnow plugs), and flies (ie: crayfish patterns, Clouser minnows, dark brown or olive sculpin or muddler minnow patterns). Channel catfish, common carp and panfish are among a host of other species also available in local streams.

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 Saturday, September 26.  The 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>.

Cleveland Anglers club meeting on September 22. I will be doing a talk at an upcoming Cleveland Anglers club meeting and group rep Jerry Darkes shared: Join us as we kick off the new Cleveland Anglers season with a great presentation! Cleveland Metroparks fisheries biologist, Mike Durkalec, will be our guest on Tuesday, September 22, at Merwin’s Wharf (1785 Merwin Ave., Cleveland 44113). Durkalec will bring us up to date on the various projects he is working on within the park system. The Cleveland Metroparks are consistently rated as having one of the top urban fisheries programs in the U.S. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the presentation at 7:00 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Not cost to attend, but please RSVP to [email protected] so we have an accurate guest count.

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 change will go into affect 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

Tilson caught this flathead catfish using alive baitfish on the bottom from the pier at Wendy Park where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie (photo courtesy of Tilson Wilson).

Carlos sent in his first observation of a steelhead from the Rocky River this season caught this week by his buddy using a small Roostertail spinner (photo courtesy of Carlos Velez Serrano).

Anglers are making modest catches of bluegill, yellow perch, white perch, other panfish and catfish along the Cleveland shoreline. The goal is often to get just enough fish for a family dinner. Perch fishing will get better as the weather cools.

Carl shared some fun times fishing Lake Erie with friends recently (photos courtesy of Carl Schweisthal).

John had a happy surprise when this flathead catfish munched his Clouser minnow pattern while fly fishing the Cuyahoga River (photo courtesy of John Brochue).

You can look cool and support Cleveland Metroparks at the same time with our new fishing cap. You can purchase online <here> and it will also be available at the nature centers at Rocky River and North Chagrin, as well as some of our 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>