Fishing Report - March 19, 2008
Rocky River was named one of the “150 Best Places to fish in America” in the June 2007 issue of Field and Stream magazine
***March 22, 2008, update: The Rocky River flow gage is repaired and online again (link in report below). Today the river level was still on the high side and the stain was brownish, but not too muddy. High water fishing tactics should allow determined anglers to target steelhead on Sunday.***
The Rocky River is flooded again due to rain and snowmelt, and is only looking to get worse in the coming days. Expect closures along Valley Parkway due to flooding. The weekend river fishing outlook is poor, as it will take several days of dry weather at this point before the river level even crests and then begins to drop again. The Rocky River <flow gage> is still out of service, but USGS is again working on addressing the issue.
During a brief window of fishable river conditions at the beginning of this week a few fresh steelhead and lake-run white suckers were being caught. When the river level finally begins to drop again drifting hot pink or chartreuse spawn sacks is a great choice for steelhead in stained water conditions. Fly anglers in off-colored water do best with brightly colored egg patterns or dark colored streamers with some brighter contrast, such as an Egg Sucking Leach pattern. Expect some steelhead to be spawning in shallow, gravelly riffles when the water level drops, as well.
Trout fishing in Cleveland Metroparks lakes and ponds is looking to be the best fishing prospect for this weekend. As the ice continues to melt, there is a growing margin of open water available along the perimeters of Park District ponds, which will all anglers to target trout with traditional (non-ice fishing) gear and methods. Rainbow and brown trout bite well on small jigs (especially black and chartreuse colors) tipped with maggots and suspended under a small ice bobber, as well as Power Bait (various bright colors) fished near the bottom. Some anglers also reported success jigging lures such as small Swedish Pimple spoons. Waters stocked this winter include Wallace, Shadow, Ledge, Ranger, and Judges lakes.
The Park District plans to commence stocking the East Branch of the Rocky River with catchable size trout beginning next week, and administer weekly stockings throughout the spring season. Depending on the flooding situation next week, though, that timeframe may be shifted a bit later. Furthermore, the Ohio Division of Wildllife plans to stock Hinckley Lake with 2,500 rainbow trout on April 3, as well as Shadow Lake with 500 trout on April 18.
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
Flooded river conditions at Morley Ford on the afternoon of this report.
As depicted in the two photos above, there is a growing amount of open water on Park District lakes and ponds where anglers can target trout.
Pete caught this skipper steelhead on corn during a brief window that the river was fishable this past Monday.
This coyote was observed near Bonnie Park recently (photo courtesy of Robert K.).
Expect closures along Valley Parkway due to flooding in the coming days.
Although not from the Rocky, Matt caught this large buck steelhead from an Ohio stream recently (photo courtesy of Jeff A.).
The following two photos are courtesy of Joe:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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
Mike Durkalec