Northeast Ohio is known for its Steelhead fishing and is also blessed to be within close proximity to great trout fishing in neighboring states. As a part of the ODNR’s Exploring Fly Fishing Classes, in recent years the Western Reserve Chapter has been stocking Rainbow Trout in the Cuyahoga River around the communities of Cuyahoga Falls and Munroe Falls. Getting active with the Western Reserve Chapter is one of the best ways to meet passionate anglers eager to share their knowledge on where to go, how to improve your skills and what to use to find success fishing the rivers and streams.
Cuyahoga River
As a “home river” of the Western Reserve Chapter, the chapter hosts its annual ODNR Exploring Fly Fishing class on the Cuyahoga River in Cuyahoga Falls. As a part of this program, Rainbow Trout are stocked in this section of the river to provide a seasonal recreational fishery. Downstream of the Gorge Dam, the Cuyahoga receives runs of Steelhead that migrate upstream from Lake Erie.
Steelhead
The Western Reserve Chapter’s region is located within easy reach of many tributaries of Lake Erie, which receive runs of Steelhead and occasional other Salmonid species. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources stocks Steelhead in the Vermillion River, Rocky River, Cuyahoga River, Chagring River, Grand River, Ashtabula River, and Conneaut Creek, though any river or stream that flows into Lake Erie has the potential to hold Steelhead up to its first significant barrier to fish migration.
Trout in Neighboring States
While there may not be any wild or native trout fishing opportunities in Ohio, neighboring states like Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan have fisheries within a reasonable drive from Northeast Ohio. Stocked trout opportunities are available in each of these states as well, in addition to Kentucky and Indiana.