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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 around Cleveland Metroparks include panfish, channel catfish, carp, 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.

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). Rock bass are also present in the same river areas as smallmouth, and can be caught using the same offerings listed above. Good smallmouth bass fishing areas include the Rocky and Chagrin river areas of Cleveland Metroparks.

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 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 walleye trolling (and drifting when conditions permit) in Lake Erie in 55-63’ feet of water. Trolling Stinger spoons or crawler harnesses behind diving planers (Dipsey and Jet divers) has been most productive for most folks. Some good catches of yellow perch are still coming scattered in waters from 40-50’ deep around the Crib area.

Fishing Area Spotlight: Hinckley Lake .   At nearly 90 acres, Hinckley Lake is the largest inland lake in Cleveland Metroparks. On July 1, 2008, a fish population survey was conducted at this lake as a collaborative effort between the Ohio Division of Wildlife and Cleveland Metroparks staff. The initial observations of this survey reveal that Hinckley Lake offers an understated largemouth bass fishery! We collected many quality fish (see a few photos below), as well as noting a good distribution of age classes of healthy fish. Part of this is certainly due to the lake having an abundance of stunted sunfish and gizzard shad that provide forage for these bass predators. There is also an abundance of shoreline cover along the lakeshore, and this is where we sampled most of the largest bass.

Hinckley Lake does not give up her bass overly easy, but an angler with a small watercraft (rowboat or canoe) can work this shoreline structure near deeper water with snag resistant lures, such as rubber worms and spinnerbaits, and experience some very good fishing on summer mornings and evenings. Please note that there is a limit of two bass per day of minimum size 12 inches at this lake, but anglers are highly encouraged to release any larger fish to conserve the resource.

The lake also has an abundance of modest sized sunfish (mostly bluegill) and white crappie. Although the majority of these fish are on the small side, an angler in the spring will occasionally turn up a crappie up to 15 inches or so. Futhermore, the lake offers a thriving carp fishery and channel and bullhead catfish are also present.  Rainbow trout are also stocked in the lake by the Ohio Division of Wildlife every spring.

Electric trolling motors are allowed on the lake, although gas motors (outboards) are strictly prohibited. A new small boat/canoe ramp was installed near the boat house earlier this summer for boaters convenience, although anything over 16 foot in length would be too large for this relatively small ramp in shallow water. 

Hinckley Lake will always hold a special place in this biologist's heart, as I caught my first fish (a bluegill) there over 30 years ago in a rowboat my father rented at the old boathouse.  He would alternate taking either me or one of my two brothers out at a time while the others stayed on shore to have a picnic with my mother.  While conducting our recent survey, observing that scene being played out among families of the next generation sparked some very fond memories.  Take a kid fishing:  they will remember those experiences for the rest of their lives.

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

Natalie displays two trophy largemouth bass sampled (and released) in Hinckley Lake during a survey on July 1st.

Some great catches of channel catfish are still coming from the northern river reaches.

Dominic displays a handful of Rocky River carp (photo courtesy of Ken H.).

This scene sparked fond memories of fishing at Hinckley Lake with my two brothers as a youngster. 

A lad displays a nice largemouth bass prior to it's release. 

Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries biologist Curt Wagner collects scales from a specimen after being weighed and measured.  Biologists can view fish scales under a microscope to count growth rings and determine age, just a forester can do so by counting tree rings.

Curt displays a fine bass just prior to it's release.

An angler with an average Rocky River channel catfish.

A new small boat/canoe ramp was installed near the Hinckley Lake boathouse earlier this summer.

Bullhead catfish are available at just about every Cleveland Metroparks fishing location.

Summer, kids, and sunfish are a perfect fit!

Some scenes from a recent handicapped veterans fishing outing at Wallace Lake:

THANK YOU  to these fine gentlemen for serving their country.  They are true American heroes and being there to watch them enjoy a day in the park was a priviledge.

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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