Page 7 - Mid America Boating - April 2024 issue

fish hatchery this spring; find details on page 12 Ohio’s record steelhead trout is a
in this issue.) 21.3-pound trophy landed by Jason
The year-old trout have been cut loose each “J.W.” Brooks of Tallmadge while
spring in the Vermilion, Rocky, Chagrin, Grand fishing with his angling buddy, Joe
and Ashtabula rivers and Conneaut Creek in Boewe. They were trolling the deep
Northeast Ohio, and have been a bonanza all waters of Lake Erie off Avon Lake in
year round. June 2010.
Now many miles of the Cuyahoga River,
an amazing success story as it recovers from
decades of abuse, will dazzle anglers and along “Steelhead Alley,” a collection of
environmentalists alike. Lake Erie streams stretching from Ohio to
From fall through spring the feisty steelhead Pennsylvania and New York.
trout draw crowds of wading anglers from The stream fishing along Steelhead Alley 7 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ] APRIL 2024
around Ohio and the country. The fish imprint is a major league magnet because of its easy
access. Steelhead trout are also a popular
catch after they return to Lake Erie after
spawning in the rivers to gorge on plentiful
baitfish, especially the schools of smelt found
in the deeper waters of Lake Erie.
Schools of steelhead trout and the popular
walleye are constantly on the move around
Lake Erie in summer, but with the advent
of cutting-edge fishing sonar and GPS
technology, anglers have developed tackle
and techniques for finding and catching the
fabled “silver bullets.”
to the waters where they were released by the fishermen from world class destinations such Anglers often troll spoons for trout and
Ohio Division of Wildlife, and return to those as California, Oregon, the Pacific Northwest salmon in all of the Great Lakes, and it is a
waterways to spawn from fall through spring. and Alaska,” said noted fly fisherman, guide top technique when chasing the big schools
The world class Ohio trout streams are and author Jerry Darkes of Strongsville. of steelhead trout generally found in the
open to the public, and the glamorous trout Visitors find great fly fishing for steelhead Central Basin and Eastern Basin of Lake Erie.
can readily be caught while wading the Lake trout, combining with the amenities Downriggers and weighted diving planers,
Erie tributaries and casting with fly rods and offered by a major city like Cleveland, are such as the Dipsy Diver, are often needed to
spinning tackle. Fishing licenses are relatively especially appealing. troll spoons in the deepest waters.
inexpensive for Ohioans and non-resident Keystone fly fishing author and guide Karl As Lake Erie waters cool in autumn,
anglers, and boys and girls 15 and under do Weixelman, a Hall of Fame angler with the steelhead trout begin to stage for the
not need an Ohio license. Pennsylvania Steelheaders Association, has spawning season by schooling in near-shore
“We’re visited by anglers from all over Ohio clients from Denmark who have become areas. As the steelhead begin to run the
and from around the country, even including annual visitors eager to fish for the big trout See Cuyahoga steelhead page 8

Life is

short!

Just add
water

M ur …

7130 E. Harbor Rd.
Paul Rossman Dave Selz Connie Roberts
Marblehead, Ohio 43440
Let our staff help you into 419.732.3355
Life is simple your next boat purchase www.marinetechconcepts.com