Cleveland Metroparks Blogs & Podcasts

Rocky River was named one of the “150 Best Places to fish in America” in the June 2007 issue of Field and Stream magazine

The Rocky River is currently slightly elevated and stained due to recent rains. The latest <river flow gage data>   will help anglers determine the latest trend in river conditions.

Lake Erie run smallmouth bass have been cooperative for anglers when Rocky Riiver fishing conditions have been favorable. Streamer flies and smaller lures (spinners and plugs) have taken their share of bass, and live baits such as crayfish and leeches usually work well, too. Most larger smallmouth have been caught in the northern river reaches. 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.

The latest rise in water level has allowed many dropback steelhead (those which have already spawned) to return back to the lake. With that said, there are always a few steelhead around in the river up until about mid-May and sometimes even until the end of the month.

Anglers have been catching rainbow trout, catfish, carp, and panfish in Park District waters, including Wallace, Hinckley, and Shadow lakes and the East Branch Rocky River. Additionally, white perch and freshwater drum (sheepshead) have been biting well near the marina. A fat nightcrawler fished right on the lake or river bottom will catch any of the aforementioned species.

Lake Erie boaters out of the Emerald Necklace public ramps have been making some great catches of yellow perch, including some “jumbos” up to 14 inches in approximately 40 foot of water. Live or salted emerald shiners fished near the bottom is all that an anglers needs to catch a limit (30 fish/person in this area) of these tasty fish. Walleye fishing has been inconsistent with the series of fronts moving through in recent weeks.

For those who have not yet viewed the photos from the 2008 Spring Children’s Fishing Derbies held on May 3^rd and 4^th, they can be found at the following link compliments of www.flyandfloatfishing.com : <2008 Fishing Derby photos and video>

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

The following photos detail the fish collection and transfer follow-up on Monday
(as originally outlined in last week's fishing report) 

 Thanks again to the family of Rick Huff for their generous donation of fish to the Park District.

"Monk", on leave from active duty in Iraq, displays a steelhead caught during some R&R.  We owe our freedom to fish anytime we please to folks like this fine soldier (photo courtesy of Monte Casey).

Tony displays a trophy Rocky River steelhead (photo courtesy of Tony D.).

Although caught back in the winter, I was recently sent this photo of Ryan with a beautiful steelie (photo courtesy of Monte Casey). 

Dean, visiting from Boston, caught this sleek buck steelie (photo courtesy of Monte Casey). 

Don from Westlake displays a colorful buck steelhead (photo courtesy of Monte Casey). 

Local fly fishing guide Monte Casey with a big buck steelhead (photo courtesy of Monte Casey). 

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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