Cleveland Metroparks Blogs & Podcasts

The Rocky River water conditions are currently low and clear, which is the norm this time of year.  This could change into the weekend, though, with the storms in the forecast.  To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature, especially during changing weather patterns, you can check the following link: <river flow gage data>  

Smallmouth bass fishing in the Rocky River has been good lately.  Most fish have been modest in size at about 7”-14”, with a few larger ones being taken.  These fish are great fun on light spinning or fly fishing gear.  Live bait, such as crayfish, minnows, or leeches, drifted along the stream bottom in deeper, rocky areas in morning and evening can work very well.  Fishing artificial lures, such as a 3-4” olive or brown tube jig, can also work well.  Fly anglers often have luck on Clouser minnows, woolly buggers (white, olive, or brown), or even sculpin pattern (which, like tube jigs, are a good imitation of the round gobies that smallmouth often feed upon).

Although I have not personally witnessed any steelhead in the Rocky River as of yet, I have received the very first reports of their presence in the river this past week.  Although the mid-90 degree temperatures we’ve experienced mid-week will not help, the significant rain and cooling temperature into the weekend will set things on track to lure some more very early steelhead into the river. 

Anglers out of the Emerald Necklace Marina have been making good catches of yellow perch off Cleveland this past week, with increasing number of larger fish showing up in their catches.  Some productive spots have been off Gordon and Edgewater parks in about 37-48 foot of water.  Fishing spreaders or crappie rigs near the bottom with live or frozen salted emerald shiners is always the best way to catch a limit of tasty perch. 

Asian Carp Educational Series.    With all the talk about the asian carp in the media, folks who wish to educate themselves further on this issue can check out the series of educational videos called Life Series Investigations:  Attack of the Alien Invaders!  from WVIZ/Ideastream about the issue, what’s being done, and what the future may have in store at the following link:    <Asian Carp Video Series>   

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 md@clevelandmetroparks.com .

Good Fishing,

Mike

Ray caught this beautiful chrome steelhead along the Cleveland shoreline this week (photo courtesy of Ray Fierst).

Brandon shows off a gorgeous 18.5" Rocky River smallmouth bass he caught this week (photo courtesy of Brandon Sebro).

Brad shows off a few Hinckley Lake largemouth bass he caught fishing from his kayak (photos courtesy of Brad Beavers).

Andrew Conroy (top) is a soldier on leave prior to his third tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and his father Owen (bottom) is sergeant with our Rangers.  Both enjoyed a fine evening of Lake Erie walleye fishing with me recently.

Doug recently caught this trophy largemouth bass fishing from his kayak (photo courtesy of Doug Mouat).

A local angler recently found this dead 31" steelie in the northern Rocky River, proving that a few nice fish are around (photo courtesy of David Rankin).

Jim caught this beautiful 17" bass this week (photo courtesy of Dana Deming).

Yours truly caught this jumbo yellow perch, just over 14", on Sunday proving that some larger fish are around. 

We were dismayed to recently find the three African cichlids above in the northern Rocky River during fish sampling.  Do not release ANY aquatic organisms into our waterways...you never know which one may become our next problematic invasive species!

 Rich shows off a good "eater" walleye caught recently on a Reef Runner crankbait the same color as the evening sky.

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 Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund

Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund helps provide a rewarding fishing experience to Northeast Ohio anglers through the stocking of rainbow trout, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and other sport fish. The Fund also supports children's fishing derbies and creation and restoration of essential habitat in the ponds, lakes, and rivers within Cleveland Metroparks.

For more information or to make a gift to Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund, please contact:

Karen J. Kannenberg, CFRE
Manager of Gift and Donor Development
Cleveland Metroparks
4101 Fulton Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio 44144
216.635.3217
kjk@clevelandmetroparks.com