Rocky River Fishing Report - July 2009
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)
***REMINDER: Cleveland Metroparks Institute of the Great Outdoors is offering a Lake Erie nearshore fishing tactics seminar taught by Captain Jeff Liskay on July 26 and August 16. The $40.00 fee includes lunch and the seminar will cover all the small boat or shorebound angler needs to know to take advantage of the world class Lake Erie fishery. Call (216) 341-1704 to register.***
As we move into mid-summer, highlight species targeted by anglers along the Rocky River watershed are sunfish, smallmouth bass, carp, and channel catfish. 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. 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 Beyers Pond are just a few of many places in the Park to wet a line for various panfish species.
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. Hot and sunny mid-day periods typically offer the slowest fishing. 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. Anglers are always encouraged to release the larger bass so that these fine gamefish can be caught again.
Channel catfish and large carp are ubiquitous throughout the river in summer, and fishing for them can be a laid back and relaxing way to enjoy some time on the water. Channel catfish can also be found in Wallace and Hinckley lakes 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 are among the largest fish available to anglers during the summer month, and 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.
The Lake Erie walleye fishing off Cleveland has been outstanding this summer. Anglers have been catching walleye trolling (and drifting when conditions permit) in Lake Erie off the Emerald Necklace marina in 57’ to 66’ feet of water. Most of the time the fish are suspended in summer; use your depthfinder to determine the depth to fish (set lines slightly shallower than the fish are suspended). Trolling spoons or crawler harnesses behind side planers with 2-3 oz. inline weights or Jet divers has been most productive for most folks, with Dispey Divers also being a productive option.
Cleveland Metroparks wetlands assessment project: What you need to know as an angler. Wetlands perform a kidney-like role within a watershed in that they filter and process sediment and other pollutants from the water. Given this water quality function, sufficient numbers of healthy wetlands in a watershed are of paramount importance in facilitating healthy fisheries in our streams and even Lake Erie. Understanding this, Cleveland Metroparks Natural Resources Division initiated a wide-ranging wetland assessment project during the 2005-6 field seasons. A summary of the findings of this study were accepted and presented at the recent International Society of Wetland Scientists meeting in June 2009, where we received positive feedback regarding the project from colleagues from all over the United States. You can <click here> to view the abstract of the research as posted on the Society of Wetland Scientists website.
This was the first of what will be a cyclic effort to routinely monitor the health of our Park District’s wetland resources. This, in addition to the comprehensive headwater stream surveys currently underway, makes Cleveland Metroparks a national leader in biological water quality monitoring, something which we take a great deal of pride in. The full report on the baseline wetland study will be available on the website in the near future for those interested.
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
Father and son Ken and Alex had alot of fun catching some bruiser Rocky River carp recently (photos courtesy of Ken Harper).
Mark displays a beautiful Rocky River smallmouth bass he caught on a worm (photo courtesy of Mark Kennedy).
Summer panfish fun at Wallace Lake!
A fantastic Lake Erie summer sunset (photo courtesy of Tim Krynak).
An idyllic afternoon of angling in the Park District.
Staff member Jim Spetz shows a group of grade schoolers where NOT to touch a catfish!
Willing biting and strong fighting carp can be found throughout the river in summer.
Some images of summer fun on Lake Erie follow:
Mark (top) and Tim (bottom) can certainly attest to the world class reputation of the Lake Erie walleye fishery.
The pefect place to relax and wet a line at Ledge Lake.
Natural Resources staff member Rick Spence has his hands full of grass carp during a recent fish transfer.
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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