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Sport fishing is one of the most popular outdoor recreational
activities available in Cleveland Metroparks. In a recent
visitor survey, sport fishing ranked sixth in overall
popularity among fifteen specific activities listed by
park users as part of their daily recreational activities.
Greater Clevelanders make nearly 350,000 trips to fish
in the waters of Cleveland Metroparks each year. The Park
District currently has thirteen major fishing areas located
within convenient reach of area anglers. In 1998, the
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation will open to add additional
local fishing opportunity. A wide variety of fishing opportunities
and a surprising amount of fishing diversity await you
in the waters of Cleveland Metroparks. There are opportunities
to access Lake Erie, the area's largest fishery resource,
which give fishermen the chance to tackle "big waters."
Cleveland Metroparks also holds ownership to twenty-six
stream miles of the Rocky River which represents the largest
single public stream ownership in Ohio. Rocky River currently
supports a significant steelhead trout fishery as well
as native stream fisheries for a diversity of fish species.
The year-round fishability of the Rocky River has been
enhanced by the steelhead fisheries as well as a stock
and catch trout fishery in upstream segments of the river.
Cleveland Metroparks also holds significant ownership
to portions of the Chagrin River and the Cuyahoga River
which support local stream fisheries.
Local lakes and ponds dot the various reservations of
the Park District. These areas are also productive year
round as rainbow trout are stocked during the winter months.
Cleveland Metroparks conducts an active fisheries management
program to enhance the various fishing opportunities at
local water areas. Active management of water areas include
fish populations surveys, water quality analysis, fish
stocking, fish habitat improvement projects and cooperation
with other resource agencies to best manage area waters.
Cleveland Metroparks has been recognized nationally for
its management of the area's high-use urban waters for
both fisheries enhancement and for fishing recreational
use.
Cleveland Metroparks conducts a variety of public fishing
programs to teach fishing skills and to teach fisheries
resource conservation. Learn-to-fish programs for all
age groups can be scheduled in your community or at a
Cleveland Metroparks water area. Cleveland Metroparks
can even loan fishing equipment to community groups. All
scheduled fishing program events are announced in the
monthly park newsletter, The Emerald Necklace. For more
information on program offerings call the natural resource
office at (440) 331-8017.
Greater Cleveland has a wide diversity of water resources.
Many of these resources lie within the "Emerald Necklace"
of Cleveland Metroparks. Enjoy the experience - you may
be surprised by the opportunity so close at hand!
Fishing Areas in Cleveland Metroparks brochure
Fishing Areas and Fishing Programs brochure
Rocky River Fishing report
Fishing Hours and Prohibited Fishing Equipment
Fishing is permitted daily in Cleveland Metroparks from
6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Cleveland Metroparks may close waters
to fishing as it deems advisable.Closed signs will be
posted if an area is not available for fishing. In all
other Park District waters fishing is permitted subject
to the statutes of the state of Ohio, except for the following:
hooks left unattended, trot lines, traps, spears and gigs,
and bows and arrows.
Fishing License Requirements
Anglers are reminded that an Ohio fishing license is
required for all persons, age 16 through 65 inclusive,
who fish in the public waters of the state. These waters
include Lake Erie, all streams and all inland lakes and
ponds which are not in private ownership. Seniors, age
66 and older, can receive an annual fishing license
at a reduced rate from the state of Ohio. For an application, apply at the following link on the Ohio Division of Wildlife website: http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/vendor.aspx
Special Fishing Regulations
At Cleveland Metroparks controlled water areas, fish
length and daily catch limits may be imposed for largemouth
bass and rainbow trout as deemed necessary to regulate
the harvest of these species. Regulations will be posted
at designated areas.
Motor Boats Prohibited
No boats (rubber rafts and kayaks are considered boats),
driven or propelled by gasoline motors, can be operated
upon any lakes, rivers, ponds or other bodies of water
owned by, or under the control of, Cleveland Metroparks,
except in the Rocky River from Scenic Park to Lake Erie.
(The speed limit is not to exceed six miles per hour.)
Scenic Park is located in Rocky River Reservation on Valley
Parkway, off Detroit Road in Lakewood. Electric-powered
trolling motors are allowed on Hinckley Lake provided
the boat owner has obtained an operating permit. Free
permits are available at the Hinckley Lake Boathouse.
Hinckley Lake is located in Hinckley Reservation off West
and East Drives, off Bellus Road in Hinckley.
Boating Safety Regulations
No boats can be operated upon any lakes, rivers, ponds,
or other bodies of water owned by, or under the control
of, Cleveland Metroparks that do not meet the safety standards
or carry safety equipment as described in the provisions
of Sections 1547.01 to 1547.99 of the Ohio Revised Code
relating to watercraft and regulations of the Ohio Division
of Watercraft. Boats can not be operated without the appropriate
lighting, as determined by the Ohio Revised Code. Boat
trailers must be parked in the designated areas.
Prohibited Boating Hours
No boats can be operated in Cleveland Metroparks after
10:30 p.m. except in Rocky River from Scenic Park to Lake
Erie. Scenic Park is located in Rocky River Reservation
on Valley Parkway, off Detroit Road in Lakewood.
Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Areas
Fishing Tips
Donations to Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund help provide a rewarding fishing experience to Northeast Ohio anglers through habitat enhancement, fish stocking and special fishing events.
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