FishHawk

Places I Fish: Rocky River, Chagrin River, Cuyahoga River

About: <p>Cleveland Metroparks is a separate political subdivision of the state of Ohio. The Park District is governed by Cleveland Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners, composed of three citizens who serve three-year terms without compensation. Board members are appointed by the presiding Judge of the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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."</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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!</p>

Contact: generalinfo@clevelandmetroparks.com