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Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.
Rocky River was named one of the “150 Best Places to fish in America” in the June 2007 issue of Field and Stream magazine
***February 21, 2011, morning update: Overnight icy rain has ruined any plans of the river dropping into good shape for fishing today. The river is elevated and muddy and will be at least a few days before it drops below 300 cfs.***
***February 20, 2011, afternoon update: The Rocky River flow dropped quickly over the past two days and, although it is still elevated and muddy, it will be borderline fishable into today (flow just under 500 cfs at 7:00am). Anglers who choose to fish the river while still elevated and muddy typically do best at the dams and fords, which concentrate fish. As the river continues to drop closer to 300 cfs, which may be tomorrow, fishing prospect will improve substantially.***
***February 18, 2011, afternoon update: The ice conditions on our lakes and ponds has degraded signifcantly over the past 24 hours, and it is recommended that anglers fish from the safety of solid ground, such as fishing platforms, rather than on the ice. The river level is still highly elevated and muddy and, although the flow appears to have crested, it is unlikley that the river will offer fishable conditions until early next week.***
Conditions on the Rocky River are very dynamic at the moment, having changed drastically over the past 24 hours. The river is currently very elevated and muddy due to melt-off and flows have not even crested yet, but the fortunate news is that the river is largely free of ice cover. To monitor the most up to date river flow and temperature, anglers can check the following link:
Wise steelhead anglers will stay tuned to the river gage information into this weekend, and may have an opportunity to chase steelhead late into the weekend or early next week as river levels (hopefully) recede below about 500 cfs. The lower river is currently free of ice jams, which is great news because as water levels begin dropping a fresh run of steelhead trout will move into the river from Lake Erie to complement the fish that have remained in the system throughout the winter. Larger spawn sacks of trout and salmon eggs in brighter colors will be among the first offerings to take these fish as the water begins to drop and clear.
Although the thaw has had a big effect on river conditions, it has been much slower to affect ice on our non-moving waters. Ice is thinner and becoming mushy around the margins of our lakes due to melting run-off, but a few feet out from that the ice is more solid. For example, despite temperatures well above freezing over the 24 hours preceding the date of this report, we had only lost 1-2 inches of ice at Wallace Lake, which had ice 8-10” thick over most of the main body of the lake the morning of this report. Some anglers bring a board of about 6’ to walk over the thinner ice near shore to the stable ice out further. Also, waterproof boots with good traction are a must, as there is some standing water on the slick ice in many areas. NOTE: Keep in mind that conditions will continue to change depending on temperature and precipitation trends so always monitor ice thickness near shore to make sure there is a minimum of 4” of solid ice before venturing out further.
Ice fishing for rainbow trout has been good, overall, this week. Wallace and Ledge lakes, in particular, are good choices. Anglers are catching trout on spawn sacks (trout and salmon eggs) in various colors, small jigging spoons (Kastmaster, Swedish Pimple, and Forage Minnow have all been working), Power Bait (pink, orange, and yellow have been best), grubs such as maggots and waxworms, and small jigs. Since they are often biting better on one offering than another from day to day, it behooves anglers to bring at least a few bait options. The bite is best in the mornings and afternoons, especially on sunny days. Ice anglers can use two rods and up to six tip-ups per Ohio fishing regulations. Shadow Lake is clearly posted as closed to fishing at this time. You can check the report for updates on this situation into spring.
Spring tout stocking on the East Branch Rocky River is scheduled to begin approximately mid-March.
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
Russ caught this chunky Wallace Lake rainbow trout this week (photo courtesy of Bill Keeton).
Stephen caught his first ice fishing trout this week on a red spawn sack 4.5' below a small bobber. He reports that he has has been missing some hits, too (photo courtesy of Stephen White).
Ranger Lt. Flanigan, on his day off, with a nice trout caught on a tip-up at Ledge Lake. We landed six trout on spawn sacks at Ledge between 2:30-5:30pm on Sunday.
If you fish Wallace Lake, you've probably run into Eric (he is one of the regulars there). I was impressed by his diverse array of ice fishing rods visible on his gear caddy/sled next to him!
Ron displays a very nice Ledge Lake trout caught on Power Bait this week.
Lee "Possum" with a good Wallace Lake trout this week (photo courtesy of Bill Keeton).
Brain caught and released this trout, one of many for him this week, when I stopped by Wallace Lake to check dissolved oxygen levels. He always seems to be catching them on something different from day to day.
"UPS Jim" Humphrey likes to ice fish for trout with his retired buddies between dropping off and picking up his grandkids from school during the week.
"Alabama Jim" Massey is likely the most recognized ice fisherman at Wallace Lake, and typically releases more trout than he keeps.
"Wild Bill" regularly emails me photos of fish he's catching at the moment from his cell phone while I'm stuck in the office writing management plans and other fun office things. GEEZ, THANKS ALOT, BILL!!! Kidding aside, I appreciate all Bill's great photos and reports (photos courtesy of Bill Keeton).
The river is open and rockin', but may possibly offer fishable conditions late into the weekend or early next week, dependant upon the weather. Keep posted to the flow gage (link in report above) to see what the river is doing at the moment.
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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, CFREManager of Gift and Donor DevelopmentCleveland Metroparks4101 Fulton ParkwayCleveland, Ohio 44144216.635.3217kjk@clevelandmetroparks.com
This Fishing Report was submitted on 2/17/2011 1:44:10 PM by Seamus and last updated on 3/19/2011 1:44:10 PM.
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