Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

RFI Fish watching in Cleveland/Canton area

Started by Guest_CharlesA_* , Apr 03 2012 02:04 PM

Reply to this topic

13 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_CharlesA_*

Guests

Posted 03 April 2012 - 02:04 PM

Hello Ohions,

I am a new member of NANFA from Rhode Island.

From April 15-18, I will driving to Ohio with my teenage son to take him to both the Football and Rock and Roll Hall of Fames.

I was wondering if anyone might be able to suggest any spots in the general area where I may be able to observe your local fish. I won't have any license, so I have to be restricted to observations only. In Rhode Island, I live directly on the ocean, and while familiar with saltwater fish, freshwater species are relatively new to me, so a chance to even see some of your more common fish would be exciting for me.

Thank you in advance if possible,

Charles A.
Newport, RI

#2 Guest_EricaWieser_*

Guests

Posted 03 April 2012 - 03:03 PM

Extensive maps, including this one of my old stomping grounds the Rocky River http://www.dnr.state...9/pdf/Rocky.pdf are available at ohio.gov on the Division of Wildlife's Fishing section. Link: http://www.dnr.state...78/Default.aspx
There is also an A to Z Species Guide available online, link: http://www.dnr.state...13/Default.aspx You can click on any of those fish names to see pictures and read descriptions.

This is an excellent time of year to go snorkel as many of the darters and minnows will have a lot more color than they do later in the summer. Please don't touch or remove any of the bivalves, as they are suffering a decrease in population at the moment.

By the way, try a Malley's chocolate pretzel bar while you're in town. They're good eats.

Edited by EricaWieser, 03 April 2012 - 03:16 PM.

#3 Guest_asmith_*

Guests

Posted 03 April 2012 - 03:16 PM

http://www.dnr.state...42/Default.aspx headlands beach is a nice place to get a look at the lake and is right next to the mentor marsh http://ohiodnr.com/l...06/Default.aspx

Both are relatively on the way if you are coming down I90

#4 Guest_asmith_*

Guests

Posted 03 April 2012 - 03:25 PM

http://www.roadsidea....com/story/2204 linesville is not really in the area, but it is sort of interesting and might be on the way. Also pymatuming is a beautiful lake with a lot of places to stop and look. Linesville also has PA's state fish hatchery

Edited by asmith, 03 April 2012 - 03:30 PM.

#5 Guest_CharlesA_*

Guests

Posted 05 April 2012 - 11:00 AM

Dear Erica and ASmith,

Thank you very much for your suggestions in response to my query.

I will certainly try to get to all of the places you suggested; Rocky River, Headlands Beach and Mentor Marsh, and Linesville spillway on the way out.

Erica, I hadn't even thought of snorkling. Would you have any suggestion on where to put in along the river. Then darters sound amazing. I have never seen one. Only two species in RI (tesselated and swamp). Also any idea more or less water temps at this of year?

I will post results upon return . Should you ever get to NE, give me a shout. I beach seine nearly every day with kids in the summer and we get lots of tropicals.

I've enclosed two photos from an offshore trip two weekends ago. Sea raven and ventral side of a barndoor skate. Enjoy and thank you again,
Charles

#6 Guest_EricaWieser_*

Guests

Posted 05 April 2012 - 11:28 AM

Also any idea more or less water temps at this of year?

The Hopkins International Airport thermometer is in Berea, the same city shown on the map that I linked to for the Rocky River. Any Cleveland weather estimates you see are taken from the HIA, so they are literally sampled from within a few miles of the Rocky River and exactly the same as the temps you'll see. But in general, the answer is: cold. It will be cold. If you have wet suits, bring them.

Erica, I hadn't even thought of snorkling. Would you have any suggestion on where to put in along the river. Then darters sound amazing. I have never seen one. Only two species in RI (tesselated and swamp).

The spots are marked on the map. http://www.dnr.state...9/pdf/Rocky.pdf There are lots of similar maps on http://www.dnr.state...78/Default.aspx (click on 'rivers and streams').
The Cleveland Metroparks 'Emerald Necklace' is a ring-shaped park that surrounds the city of Cleveland. Basically it's a network of continuous park that you can drive through, feeling like you're in the middle of the woods when really you're surrounded by city. Check it out: http://www.en.wikipe...land_Metroparks
http://www.clemetparks.com/
To see darters, you'll be looking for shallow portions of the river where the water bubbles up and disturbs the surface. These regions are known as riffles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riffle
It's good that the water's not deep because it's going to be cold.

Edited by EricaWieser, 05 April 2012 - 11:35 AM.

#7 Guest_steve_*

Guests

Posted 05 April 2012 - 11:49 AM

Just a little bit further south to Wheeling West Virginia there is a Cabela's outdoor sporting goods store that has a large indoor aquarium where they keep some larger freshwater game fish; basses, crappie, muskellunge, catfishes, walleye, etc.

#8 Guest_EricaWieser_*

Guests

Posted 05 April 2012 - 11:52 AM

Just a little bit further south to Wheeling West Virginia there is a Cabela's outdoor sporting goods store that has a large indoor aquarium where they keep some larger freshwater game fish; basses, crappie, muskellunge, catfishes, walleye, etc.

ooooh. I'm going to stop by there on my next drive back to Ohio. thank ya

Edit: Do you mean the one on 1 Cabela Drive, Triadelphia, WV 26059 ?

Edited by EricaWieser, 05 April 2012 - 11:55 AM.

#9 Guest_steve_*

Guests

Posted 05 April 2012 - 12:17 PM

Yep, that's the one. After I said that, I thought that I should have said Triadelphia. I,m just so used to saying Wheeling when I'm talking about it. If you like eating fish, Coleman's fish market somewhere in downtown Wheeling(I'm not good at in-town directions) is famous for their fish sandwiches. It is good. Very mild.

#10 Guest_asmith_*

Guests

Posted 05 April 2012 - 01:10 PM

There is a Cleveland aquarium now too. Just opened recently. Native section at the front. If tickets were about half the price they are I would recommend. http://greaterclevelandaquarium.com/

Edited by asmith, 05 April 2012 - 01:11 PM.

#11 Guest_ashtonmj_*

Guests

Posted 05 April 2012 - 01:36 PM

Would someone like to explain to me how mid April in NE Ohio is a good time of year to snorkel when 1) water temperature without a substantial wet suit or dry suit = hypothermia and 2) steelhead run in major rivers and streams mentioned within the Cleveland metro area = pissed off anglers (the primary user group). So that puts you into smaller streams and creeks that are predominantly groundwater fed. Even with the warm winter/spring and below normal streamflows I would still put water temperature in the 50's.

#12 Guest_EricaWieser_*

Guests

Posted 05 April 2012 - 01:38 PM

Would someone like to explain to me how mid April in NE Ohio is a good time of year to snorkel when 1) water temperature without a substantial wet suit or dry suit = hypothermia and 2) steelhead run in major rivers and streams mentioned within the Cleveland metro area = pissed off anglers (the primary user group). So that puts you into smaller streams and creeks that are predominantly groundwater fed. Even with the warm winter/spring and below normal streamflows I would still put water temperature in the 50's.

I said it was cold...
I dunno, there are still things to do near the water. *shrugs*

The good thing about riffles is they're so shallow. To see stuff you can just stand there with waterproof boots on, bend over, and stick your snorkel mask in. I don't recommend submerging your entire body. And if you're in a part of the river where you can go all the way under then that's not going to be where the darters are.

The map that I linked to has a lot of bridges on it and that stretch has a lot of creek-side walkways next to it. It's underrated how many fish you can see from just wallking along side the stream. If it's too cold, don't get in the water.

Edited by EricaWieser, 05 April 2012 - 01:44 PM.

#13 Guest_asmith_*

Guests

Posted 01 May 2012 - 11:22 AM

So how was your trip?

#14 Guest_CharlesA_*

Guests

Posted 10 May 2012 - 01:46 PM

Report to follow straightaway. Sorry it took so long, I had to wait for Milton Trautman's "Fishes of Ohio" via interlibrary loan.to figure out some of the fish. So many more in Ohio than Rhode Island