Rocky River recognized as top fishing spot
By Ben Saylor
Rocky River
Published June 27, 2007

The Rocky River was recently recognized as one of the top 150 fishing spots in the country, according to Field and Stream magazine.

The river is just one of three Ohio entries on the list. Another is Lake Erie. The magazine’s entry praises the river for its steelhead trout fishing, which, according to Cleveland Metroparks Aquatic Biologist Mike Durkalec, is “outstanding.”

Steelhead trout are prominent in the river from September to the end of May.

“The likelihood of catching one during that period is exceptional,” Durkalec said.

During the summer months, Durkalec said, the water is too warm for the fish.

And while the river contains many other fish like carp, bluegill, rock bass and catfish, steelhead is definitely the highlight fishery, Durkalec said.

The steelhead starts out small when released into the river, Durkalec said, but swims out to Lake Erie, grows larger, then returns to the river.

Durkalec said the steelhead fishery, along with the river’s easy access to the public, make it a great area for fishing.

“The river itself is scenic,” Durkalec said. He also said that the river is “one of the best [fishing spots] for catching a truly large fish.”

Durkalec said the fishing this past winter was exceptional due to the late start of the season, and that summer is “not the highlight time to fish the river.”

Durkalec also discussed Lake Erie, saying that Rocky River’s fisheries would not be as large were it not for the lake.

“Without Lake Erie, we wouldn’t have that good steelhead fishery,” Durkalec said. He said that the lake is a great place currently for fish such as yellow perch, which are “always popular, always numerous” and are a good fish for children to catch.

Walleye are also at peak levels in the lake right now, Durkalec said, as in 2003 there was a near record spawn of the fish, and they are just now reaching their adult size.

“The walleye fishing on Lake Erie is as good as it’s ever been,” Durkalec said. He added that in Lake Erie, one doesn’t need expensive gear to catch fish.

Durkalec compiles a fishing report at the link www.clevelandmetroparks.com/fishingreport, and just finalized a series of kiosks highlighting fisheries that will be placed throughout the Metroparks.

And as for the top 150 ranking?

“We were very proud of that,” Durkalec said.