Fishing Report - August 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 late summer highlight species targeted by anglers around Cleveland Metroparks include panfish, channel catfish, carp, walleye, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link: <river flow gage data>
Summer means family fishing time for many folks, and panfish fit the bill perfectly for a leisurely picnic and fishing outing. Anglers seeking panfish have experienced decent fishing at most of the ponds and lakes in the Park District in the past week. Crappie, bluegill, and other sunfish species can be taken with a number of offerings, but a waxworm or redworm on a small hook (or tiny jig) suspended under a stick float and fished around a weedbed or shoreline brush is always a good choice. Wallace Lake , Shadow Lake , and Hinckley Lake are just a few of many places in the Park to wet a line for various panfish species.
Fishing for channel catfish, bullhead, and carp can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water. Good numbers of channel catfish can be found in deeper holes in the Rocky River as well as 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.
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 fishing for either carp or catfish is fishing on (or very near) the river/lake bottom. In addition to the Rocky River , carp can also be found in good numbers in Hinckley Lake .
Anglers out of the Emerald Necklace Marina have been catching the most walleye by trolling crawler harnesses northwest of Cleveland in 62-64 feet of water. Largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing has also been very good lately fishing tube jigs around Cleveland harbor areas. Overall, yellow perch fishing has been slow lately in the area.
Fishing Area Spotlight: Lakewood Area Artificial Reefs in Lake Erie Anglers should be aware that there are a series of artificial reefs within very close proximity to the Emerald Necklace Marina that can fish quite well for several species during the month of August. According to Dave Kelch, an Ohio Sea Grant Extension Agent that was associated with the project, the reefs were constructed between 1984 and 1997 and were placed in generally stuctureless bottom areas. Over 28,000 tons of sandstone and concrete were used in the construction of these reefs (most of that from the former Browns stadium).
Fish concentrations observed around these structures has been from 20 to 60 times greater than surrounding non-reef areas and, according to Kelch, they are “woefully overlooked” for summer smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye, catfish, and other species. The following is a link to an excellent Sea Grant information page regarding these reefs (including maps, coordinates, and even sidescan sonar underwater images), which local Lake Erie boating anglers would be wise to give a look: <artificial reef information page> (click on the specific reef names in red for images/more info at this link)
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
Harold displays a pair of fine walleye caught out of the Emerald Necklace Marina recently.
This lad's nice catfish along with several panfish will feed his family well!
The following photos were submitted by Chris Levicki:
Those photos certainly illustrate that a centerpin float rig, typically used for steelhead, can be used all summer for multiple species in the Rocky River (photos courtesy of Chris L.).
Matt has the same idea, too:
Nice smallmouth bass and channel catfish! (photos courtesy of Matt).
John has also been enjoying the mixed species fishery:
Looks like Chris, Matt, and John are all tapped into some great river fishing this summer (photos courtesy of John P.).
The following photo depicts a 45" muskie and the 19" carp that was it's last meal. The large muskie was formerly housed at the Wolf Wilderness exhibit at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo prior to it's unexpected death.
Anglers enjoying a summer day fishing at Hinckley Reservation.
White perch are commonly caught in Lake Erie, as well as in the Rocky River near the marina. This species is much more closely related to white bass than to yellow perch. They are good to eat.
Tom displays a good "eater" size walleye. He also caught and released a 15 pound channel catfish drifting a crawler harness the same day.
Angler fishing platforms can be found at all major Cleveland Metroparks fishing lakes.
The following photos of a great blue heron stretching before taking flight were captured by local wildlife photographer Len Tompos:
Thanks to Len for sharing those great images!
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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