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 level is currently fairly elevated and muddy due to overnight rain. The cooler weather this week has extended the spring fishing season. Given the rain throughout the current weekend forecast I would not expect river conditions to change much for the weekend. During changing weather patterns anglers can check the lastest trend in river flow and temperature at the following link: <river flow gage data> 

The cooler weather this week has served to extend the steelhead fishing season in the Rocky River. of steelhead trout in the Rocky River. Anglers reported fair to good steelhead success over the past week, with most of the fish being spent (spawned out) trout with a small number of fresh ones mixed in. Expect steelhead number to continue to dwindle into the coming week.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been good in the river this week. A dark brown or olive tube jig about 3-4” (on spinning tackle) or a brown/olive woolly bugger or sculpi streamer fly are great offerings for river smallmouth, and live bait are always another good choice. Please consider gently handling and releasing any larger smallmouth you catch in the river right now, as these fish are in the river to spawn and sustain a fine natural (unstocked) fishery.

Anglers have reported good success this week fishing for rainbow trout and channel catfish (stocked for this past weekend’s children’s fishing derbies) at Wallace Lake and the Ohio and Erie Canal fishing area. Another trout “hot spot” has been on the East Branch Rocky between Royalton Road (Route 82) and the covered bridge in Mill Stream Run Reservation (where they have been stocked throughout the spring season. Trout have been biting at Hinckley Lake, as well. Stocked trout have been hitting well on Power Bait in brighter colors and small spinners.

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

Congratulations to 9 year old Dorian on catching this brute 13 pound 8 ounce trophy steelhead in the Rocky River.  Her father said this beauty was the first one she landed this season (but was one of ten she hooked) and she is learned an important life lesson during that process:  that persistence pays off!  (photo courtesy of Rick Pichola).

This 28" steelie is 7 year old Caleb's first, caught on a black woolly bugger in the Rocky. Great job young man! (photo courtesy of Bradley Wagner).

Jeff and his girlfriend Sam have been catching some beautiful steelhead, as well as a few bonus smallmouth bass, on the Rock this week (photos coutesy of Jeff Petrow).

A gorgeous pumpkinseed sunfish in all it's glory.

Some photos of a few of the happy attendees of our spring children's fishing derbies this past weekend.  Check back next week for a link to all the photos from the event.

Thank you to all who came out and enjoyed a wonderful weekend of fishing with us!

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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