Fishing Report - June 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
(Note: The fishing report is updated monthly in June, July, and August and weekly every other month)
As we move into summer, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River are smallmouth bass, carp, and channel catfish. Anglers can check the <river flow gage data> to monitor the most recent water level and temperature.
Smallmouth bass are typically found in the deeper, rocky pools of the river during the day in summer, and often move to the heads of such pools in the early morning and evening hours to feed actively. A dark olive or brown tube jig of about 4” length is one of the best producers of bass in the river. “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). There are abundant small to medium sized bass in the river along with a healthy number of trophy fish up to (and over) 20 inches in length. It has been very encouraging to see most anglers releasing the larger bass recently so that these fine gamefish can be caught again. Also, note that all smallmouth bass must be released immediately if caught downstream of the Detroit Road bridge until June 23rd. Rock bass are also present in the same river areas as smallmouth, and can be caught using the same offerings listed above.
Channel catfish and large carp are also present in some of these same areas in the river, and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water. Good numbers of channel catfish stocked in May also remain to be caught at Wallace lake and the Ohio and Erie Canal fishing area. Catfishing is usually best during lower light conditions using baits such as nightcrawlers, minnows, chicken liver, and processed dough baits. A highlight at the beginning of this month has been a number of large catfish (up to 10 pounds) showing up in the northern river reaches near the marina. These larger catfish are moving into the river from Lake Erie on their spawning migration. Resident channel catfish are available in the river all summer.
Some very large carp (over 15 pounds) were being caught in the northern river reaches at the beginning of the month, too. Carp can often be caught throughout the day on such bait as canned corn, carp dough baits, worms or crayfish tails. A growing contingent of fly anglers looking for a challenge are targeting carp with nymphs and crayfish imitations, as well. The key to targeting either carp or catfish is fishing on (or very near) the river/lake bottom.
In addition to the aforementioned species, freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch, and bullhead catfish are also abundant in the northern river reaches (north of Morley Ford) in early summer. For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing a fat nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a sinker.
Summer means family fishing time for many folks, and panfish fit the bill perfectly for a leisurely picnic and fishing outing. Anglers seeking panfish can experience good fishing at various ponds and lakes around the Park District in early summer. Bluegill, crappie, and other sunfish species can be taken with a number of offerings, but a waxworm or redworm on a small hook suspended under a stick float and fished around a weedbed or shoreline brush is always a good choice. Wallace Lake , Shadow Lake , and Beyers Pond are just a few of many places in the Park to wet a line for various panfish species.
Yet another banner season of Lake Erie walleye fishing is again upon us thanks to the many fish available from the productive 2003 spawn, peppered with an impressive sprinkling of large trophy fish up to 10+ pounds. Anglers have been catching walleye trolling (and drifting when conditions permit) in Lake Erie off the Emerald Necklace marina in 40’ to 50’ feet of water. Look for fish to move deeper later into the month. Trolling Stinger spoons or crawler harnesses behind diving planers (Dipsey and Jet divers) has been most productive for most folks.
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
John made a very unique catch on his flyrod in the river recently: this 43" longnose gar (photo coutesy of John J.).
Taking care of our natural resources is important to the community, as evidenced by this photo from the Rocky River clean-up that made front page news in the local Sun newspaper.
A young man recieves some sage angling advice from his grandfather.
Bill dipslays a trophy walleye caught west of Cleveland. Ron, the captain of the boat, stated that of literally thousands of walleye that have come over the side of his boats on Lake Erie over the past 30 years, this 32.5" leviathan was the largest of them all (photo courtesy of Ron O.).
A lad displays a double handful of brown bullhead caught at Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation last month.
Common carp can often be observed basking in shallow water along the river during the summer months.
Summer means family fishin' time around the Park District.
THANK YOU to the nearly 70 volunteers (about half pictured here) who showed up and made the 2008 Rocky River Clean-up such a huge success!
Our hard working volunteers removed two truck loads of trash from the river.
The Emerald Necklace Marina area is a popular early summer destination among those simply wishing to fish for "whatever is biting".
A bluegill guarding it's shallow water spawning nest.
This image captures the pure essence of fishing: two youngsters fishing at the end of a dock, feet dangling in the water, while watching their bobbers for a bite.
John caught this brace of nice walleye trolling 45 FOW due north of the Emerald Necklace Marina.
This fly caught smallmouth bass was caught and released in the Rocky River (photo coutesy of Garry Z.).
The following photos, taken by talented photographer Lou Stefanini near Wallace Lake recently, depict an opsrey being mobbed by a smaller bird:
Thanks again to Lou for sharing those amazing images!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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