Northeast Ohio is one of the top locations in the nation for catching steelhead trout in winter and spring, but a roadblock to success can be finding a stretch of river or stream where you are allowed to cast a line. The Lake Metroparks, home to the Chagrin and Grand rivers, has quietly been acquiring open spaces along the rivers with fishermen in mind.
"We did a comprehensive survey of Lake County residents in 2008. They were supportive of our park system continuing to acquire open space for public fishing," said park director Steve Madewell. "A lot of the park projects are ongoing. We are continuing to piece together small packages of land, trying to build them into a streamside park."
Three county parks that give steelhead trout fishermen lots of moving water to fish, said Madewell, include Beaty Landing on the Grand River in Painesville; Chagrin River Park on the Chagrin River in Eastlake and Willoughby; and Indian Point Park on Paine Creek and the Grand River in Leroy Twp.
While recreational access to the fabled steelhead streams is an ongoing mission for the Lake Metroparks, new programs are in the works, including educational outreach programs in the county schools. Park officials want to begin working with local schools to incorporate lessons in stream ecology and the local fishery. They also want students to embrace fishing as a lifetime outdoor recreational skill.
"We recognize that to do this the right way will take a big commitment from a lot of our volunteer users, the clubs and organizations we've worked with over time," said Madewell. "Events like the Steelheader's Ball, held March 20 at Pine Ridge Country Club in Wickliffe, help fund the Lake Parks Foundation, which has a focus on conserving the Chagrin and Grand rivers and providing fishing access."
INDIAN POINT PARK
The 408-acre property in Leroy Twp. opens the door to Paine Creek, where fish habitat projects have enhanced the trout fishing, and a large stretch of the Grand River. The county park teams up with the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders to stock 1- to 2-pound rainbow trout in late April, extending the cold-water fishing after spawning steelhead trout head back to Lake Erie.
Working with The Trout Club of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History a few years ago, the Lake Metroparks created holes in the relatively shallow shale stream bed of Paine Creek, providing holding areas for trout as they move up and down the stream. Those small pieces of pocket water have greatly enhanced the Paine Creek trout fishing.
The park is located on Seeley Rd., just east of Vrooman Rd. and north of of I-90. It has hiking trails, a picnic area with grills, restrooms and drinking water.
CHAGRIN RIVER PARK
The 237-acre park in Eastlake and Willoughby is extremely popular with steelhead trout fishermen, and Lake County's most-visited park year-round. Situated at Lost Nation Rd. and Rt. 2 on the Chagrin River, the first piece of the park was acquired in 1993, and it has grown over the years. It is designed for fishing and a wide range of recreational activities.
There is park access on both sides of the Chagrin River off Reeves Rd., Rural Rd. and Erie St. Park land on each side of the river is connected by a pedestrian bridge. The park has almost 3 miles of hiking trails, a picnic area with grills, picnic shelter and drinking water. It has a playground, volleyball court, sledding hill and ball fields.
A 54-acre park on the east side of Painesville, the property was purchased four years ago. A parking lot was developed, as well as a hiking trail that leads anglers to the lower end of the Grand River. The mile-long gravel trail offers a scenic overlook and three areas providing access to the Grand River.
The property was purchased with help from a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and funds from the Trust for Public Land, a national group with an office in Cleveland.
The park is south of Rt. 2 on E. Walnut Dr., just east of Richmond Rd.