Rocky River Fishing Report - June 2010

Published June 3, 2010 at 1:47 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

(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 along the Rocky River are smallmouth bass, carp, panfish, and channel catfish.  To monitor the most recent river water level and temperature you can check the following link:     

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).  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.  It has been very encouraging to see most anglers releasing the larger bass recently so that these fine gamefish can be caught again.  Also, note that all smallmouth bass must be released immediately if caught downstream of the Detroit Road bridge until June 23^rd.  Rock bass are also present in the same river areas as smallmouth, and can be caught using the same offerings listed above. 

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 stocked in May also remain to be caught 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.  A good number of larger catfish are moving into the river from Lake Erie on their spawning run.   Resident channel catfish are available in the river all summer.

Some large carp (some exceeding 15 pounds) can be caught in the northern river reaches throughout the month, as well.  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 aforementioned species, freshwater drum (sheepshead), white perch, and bullhead catfish are also abundant in the northern river reaches (north of Morley Ford) in early summer.  For the angling generalist, any of the species thus far can be effectively targeted by fishing a fat nightcrawler worm right on the river bottom with a sinker.

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 Beyers Pond are just a few of many places in the Park to wet a line for various panfish species.

Rocky River Clean-Up Saturday June 5.     The annual Rocky River volunteer clean-up will be held this Saturday June 5 from 9:00-11:30am, to be followed immediately by a “thank you” cookout for our volunteers (food sponsored by the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders).  This is a collaborative effort between caring citizens, Rocky River Watershed Council, Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders, Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, and Cleveland Metroparks.  We will be meeting at 9:00am sharp at the picnic shelter at Scenic Park (near the marina) to form into groups and discuss our plan of attack to clean-up the river.   All are welcome (including children) and please come dressed to possibly get a bit wet and muddy.

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

 

Samuel and Aidan show off a few beautiful Wallace Lake sunfish caught while fishing with their father recently (photos courtesy of Rob Larissey).

 

This young man caught five largemouth bass during a recent fishing trip on a smaller Cleveland Metroparks lake (photos courtesy of Joyce Smith).

 

Channel catfish are available in the Rocky River throughout the summer (photo courtesy of Mike B.).

 

Justin is catching the Rocky River smallmouth bass on black twister tail jigs (photos courtesy of Justin Marconi).

 

Michael proudly displays a gorgeous Lake Erie walleye caught recently.

 

A jumbo bluegill caught recently at a Cleveland Metroparks lake.

 

A local angler got a huge surprise when he pulled this fish out of Shadow Lake on June 1st.  Originally, he thought the nearly foot long fish was a piranha, but in fact it is a very close relative to the piranha known as a red bellied pacu.  The human-like teeth of this largely herbivorious species are quite different than the very sharp, triangular, sharklike teeth of the predatory piranha...although the fish otherwise look very similar. This South American native was undoubtedly released by an owner when it outgrew its aquarium.  To avoid the very real possibility of spreading disease or unwanted species, people should never release any organisms into Cleveland Metroparks which did not come from the park (photos courtesy of Joe Oriti, Bob Hinkle, and Dana Smith).

 

You all are invited to join us for the annual Rocky River Clean-Up on Saturday June 5 to give a little back to the river that gives us all so much (photo above are some folks from the 2009 clean-up).

 

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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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