Rocky River Fishing Report - May 13, 2010

Published May 13, 2010 at 6:42 p.m.

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 is currently muddy and moderately elevated due to recent rain.  Given more rain in the current forecast, this may not change much in the near future.  Anglers can  keep an eye on the flow gage for the latest trend in river flow and temperature at the following link:       

During the limited windows of opportunity that anglers have had to fish the river this week, lake-run smallmouth bass were biting.  A 4” dark brown or olive tube jig or similarly colored/sized woolly bugger fly fished slowly through a deeper, rocky hole is a good way to hook up with these feisty bronze football shaped bass.  Keep in mind, though, that these are the spawning adult fish that sustain this natural fishery…so I strongly encourage catch and release of all larger smallmouth bass this time of year.

River anglers can also expect a mixed bag of other species, including carp, catfish, sheepshead (freshwater drum), rock bass, suckers, and the few remaining steelhead.  A nightcrawler drifted near the bottom in the deeper holes and runs is a great way to have an opportunity to hook up with any of the aforementioned species.

Bluegill, crappie, and other panfish have been biting well around Cleveland Metroparks on grubs or small bits of worm fished below a bobber.  Wallace, Ledge, and Shadow lakes and Beyer’s Pond are a few of many places to pursue panfish around the Park District.

Spring Children’s Fishing Derbies are coming soon!    Our highly popular annual kid’s fishing derbies are coming up this weekend; Saturday May 15 at the Ohio and Erie Canal fishing area and Sunday May 16 at Wallace Lake.  A total of 1,300 pounds of rainbow trout and 1,000 pounds of farm raised channel catfish were stocked in anticipation of this event.  Please note that both locations are closed to fishing to the general public until 4:00pm the day of the respective events and our Rangers are issuing citations for those who ignore the clearly posted signs stating this temporary closure.   Wallace Lake south of the swimming are is still open to fishing (it is only posted as closed north of the swimming area).  For more information on this free event, you can check the following link:      

I would lake to extend a very special “thank you” to the sponsors of this event, as follows:   Stink’s Bait and Tackle (donation of live bait and many prizes for the kids), Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders ($1,500 donation to our Fishing Fund and several volunteers for the events), Pulse Jigs (donation of many prizes and tackle for the kids), Erie Outfitters (donation of hooks and bobbers), and Cleveland Fishing Association (provide several volunteers to work the event).  Please consider patronizing these fine local businesses and/or joining these great sportsman’s groups that make a point of giving back to the fishing community.

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 .

Tight Lines,

Mike

 

Nate caught this beautiful 19" smallmouth in the Rocky River at dusk this week (photo courtesy of Nate Adams).

 

This scrappy largemouth bass hit a Rebel Wee-Craw crankbait at Wallace Lake this week.

 

Some very large channel catfish migrate from Lake Erie into the Rocky River from mid-May through mid-June (photo courtesy of Mike B.).

 

Bill caught this fine largemouth bass recently (photo courtesy of Bill Doehring).

 

A feathered angler at a strategic perch waits patiently for a fish to swim within stiking range at Wallace Lake

 

Thank you to the for supporting our Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund with a $1,500 donation recently.

 

A total of 1,300 pounds of rainbow trout and 1,000 pounds of farm raised channel catfish were stocked in the Ohio and Erie Canal fishing area and Wallace Lake in anticipation of our annual children's spring fishing derbies this weekend.  Among the fish were about a dozen golden rainbow trout and a half dozen albino channel catfish to keep things interesting!

 

Some photos from the 2009 Spring Children's Fishing Derbies:

Bring a son/daughter, grandchild, younger brother/sister, neighbor kid, cousin, or any other interested child you know and come out and join us this weekend!

 

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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

 

Note:  For all other fishing related inquiries please contact Mike Durkalec at (440) 331-8017 or md@clevelandmetroparks.com

 

 

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