Fishing Report - May 1, 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
***May 3, 2008, update: The Rocky River is currently elevated and muddy due to overnight rains.***
The Rocky River is currently running low and clear. Fishing conditions are currently good for various warmwater species (as outlined below). Fishing pressure has lightened up the past week as the steelhead trout run winds down. The latest <river flow gage data> will help anglers determine any changes in river conditions.
Although a fair number of “dropback” steelhead (that have already spawned) are still present in the Rocky and Chagrin rivers, their numbers are declining sharply along with the warmer weather. One more good rain will bring up river levels and allow these lingering fish to exit the river back to Lake Erie, to hopefully return again even larger next year.
Although the spring steelhead run is near it's conclusion, reports of Lake Erie run smallmouth bass are on the upswing. Streamer flies and smaller lures (spinners and plugs) will take their share of smallmouth bass in the coming weeks, as well as other live baits such as crayfish and leeches. Smallmouth bass and dropback steelhead can be targeted from the same deeper areas in the northern river reaches, often on the same types of offerings. I also strongly encourage others to quickly release any larger smallmouth this time of year, as they are getting ready to spawn and natural reproduction is responsible for sustaining this fishery.
Rainbow trout fishing has been good in deeper holes and around cover in the East Branch Rocky River between Route 82 (Royalton Road) and the ford just upstream of Wallace Lake. Try fishing around undercut banks and woody debris in the river for some good action. The last river stocking for the season was this past Friday afternoon. Trout are also still available at Hinckley, Shadow, and Wallace (note closure info on this lake below) lakes, too. Power Bait, salmon eggs, worms, corn, and small spinners are among the offerings these trout will eagerly grab.
Additionally, carp and catfish are biting well in deeper holes throughout the river and, additionally, white perch and freshwater drum (sheepshead) are biting well near the marina. Panfish and largemouth bass have been biting well at various Cleveland Metroparks lakes and ponds, as well.
Some early season boaters have been fishing for yellow perch and walleye out of the Emerald Necklace Marina, as well.
Children’s Spring Fishing Derbies Saturday May 3rd and Sunday May 4th. It’s time again for the highly popular annual Children’s Spring Fishing Derbies. Details on this free event can be found at the following link: <fishing derby details>. I would like to sincerely thank the following sponsors for their longstanding support which makes this great community event possible: Cleveland Fishing Association, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Flyandfloatfishing.com, Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders, Optimist’s Club, and Rodmaker’s Shop. We look forward to seeing you and your children, grandchildren, or other young friends/relatives there and having another great event this season!
Note: Fishing area closures! Please note that the north end of Wallace Lake and the entire Ohio and Erie Canal fishing areas are closed for fishing until after the fishing derbies this weekend. The south end of Wallace Lake is still open for fishing, though. Fishing for the general public at Ohio and Erie Canal fishing area will reopen after 4:00pm on Saturday May 3rd and the north end of Wallace Lake will reopen after 4:00pm on Sunday May 4th.
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
Yuri displays a trophy Chagrin River steelhead (photo courtesy of Fabio M.).
Ed shows off two jumbo yellow perch caught on Lake Erie. Ed and his son, Ron, caught their limit in three hours on the water (photo courtesy of Ron O.).
Many families have been enjoying the great weather by going fishing.
Pete caught this bruiser carp on a minnow in the Rocky River (photo courtesy of Matt).
Maria with a nice Wallace Lake rainbow trout.
Maria and Ben show off two white perch from their catch from the Rocky River marina area.
Joyce with a trophy steelhead (photo courtesy of Joyce S.).
These youngs ladies took time away from their school picnic and offered assistance with our trout stocking last week.
The following photos depict three youngsters who assisted me with catfish stocking for their 4-H project:
Thanks for your help, guys!
Some nice smallmouth bass have been biting in the river (photo courtesy of Stephen W.).
Brothers Dwayne and Neil with a fine catch of trout.
Fabio with another sleek steelhead caught and released on the Chagrin (photo courtesy of Yuri).
Yours truly with a surprise catfish caught while steelhead fishing recently.
A northern hogsucker on it's spawning bed. Note how well this fish camouflages with it's surroundings! (photo courtesy of Bill B.).
Garry has been catching some of his largest steelhead of the season on nymph patterns lately, as illustrated by the following four photos:
Wow, those are some nice fish! (photos courtesy of Garry Z.).
An angler hoists a fat trout aboard a fishing platform at Wallace Lake.
A mother bald eagle feeds an eaglet in a nest at Brecksville Reservation last week. The nest area is closed to the general public to avoid disturbing the birds (photo courtesy of a volunteer).
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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
Mike Durkalec