Experience the Grandness of the Grand

You might not know just how grand the Grand River is if you haven’t been to Lake Metroparks’ River Jamboree! The Grand River represents one of the finest examples of a natural stream found anywhere in Ohio. Mainly due to the rugged surroundings and minimal impact from urbanization and development, the Grand River became the second river to be designated Wild and Scenic by the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program.

The Grand River runs 103 miles passing through five counties in Northeast Ohio. The headwaters start in Geauga and Portage counties, then flow northeast through Trumbull and Ashtabula counties before taking a 90 degree turn into Lake County. Once in Lake County, the Grand runs 26 miles to its mouth in Fairport Harbor. The river borders 12 Lake Metroparks, which protects 30 percent of the river shoreline.

The Grand River has the most aquatic diversity of any Ohio Lake Erie tributary due to the slower moving waters and neighboring wetlands. These wetlands provide fantastic habitat for countless wildlife species including river otters, which have made a comeback after their reintroduction by the Division of Wildlife in 1986. Eagles and ospreys can be seen flying overhead and on warm days northern map turtles and spiny softshell turtles bask along the river bank. There are 87 fish species in the Grand, including longnose gar, smallmouth bass and rainbow darters. Additionally, the river is home to an impressive 22 species of freshwater mussels, the most endangered animals in North America.

River Jamboree

Hidden Valley Park

July 12 • 1 to 4 pm

FREE • Registration requested

This year’s River Jamboree allows you to “get wet with nets.” Take the time to try out several different types of nets to find insects, fish, snakes and more. Bring family and friends to jump in and experience the remarkable Grand River with us on Sunday, July 12 at Hidden Valley Park in Madison. Lake Metroparks naturalists and local conservation groups will be on hand with fun activities for the whole family.

The River Jamboree is a free event. Registration is requested and can be made online or by calling 440-358-7275.

Article by Trevor Wearstler, Interpretive Naturalist

Grab the fishing gear and go fishing this weekend...for FREE!

Grab the fishing gear and go fishing this weekend...for FREE!Ohio residents may fish in all of Ohio's public waters...

A largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, hunting among water plants.
Photo (George Grall Getty Images/National Geographic Creative) 

Beat the Heat with Wet Feet

Lake Metroparks is fortunate to have a multitude of parks that provide access to our local rivers and Lake Erie.  During the heat of summer some of these locations offer great opportunities to cool off with a hike through the water.  Our local waters are important homes for many plants and animals, so while hiking around keep your eyes open for fish, frogs, crayfish or even a Bald Eagle. 

The following are some of our favorite places for a creek or river hike:

Indian Point Park – From the lower parking lot you can readily enter Paine Creek.  You can hike upstream to the Seeley Road bridge or take a shorter, easier hike downstream where the stream empties into the Grand River.

Helen Hazen Wyman Park – Kellogg Creek, Big Creek and the Grand River all come together at this park.  The best creek hiking though is in Big Creek where the clear shallow waters offer excellent opportunities to explore. 

Hidden Valley Park – The Grand River is the largest and deepest river in the county, but just beyond the shelter is a wide, shallow area perfect for wading.  So grab the family and some hot dogs for a picnic and an afternoon of splashing in the river.

Lake Erie has some great natural beaches to walk along while the waves splash at your feet.  Our favorite locations are:

Lake Erie Bluffs – The longest stretch of natural Lake Erie beach in the park district offers you a chance to walk the .71-miles from one park entrance to the other.  Keep cool by walking along the edge of the surf, while experiencing this amazing natural area.

Lakeshore Reservation – Two sets of stairs border a stretch of natural Lake Erie beach nearly a half mile long.  You can sit in the shade of some of the overhanging trees or wade into the lake to cool off. 

For more information and directions to the parks, visit lakemetroparks.com.

 

Have you ever seen a Queen snake?

Queen snake

The Queen snake is a small, harmless snake that lives along rocky ponds and rivers, including the Grand River in Lake County.  They have the most specialized diet of any snake in Ohio, eating only crayfish.  These have become uncommon in Ohio, and they are protected as a Species of Concern. 

River Jamboree

Hidden Valley Park

Sunday, July 14 • 1 to 4 pm

To learn more about Queen snakes and the other reptiles and amphibians that live in the Grand River, swim, hop or slither down to the river at Lake Metroparks' annual River Jamboree. This year we will get up-close and personal with some of the Grand River’s more intimidating creatures: snakes, turtles, frogs and salamanders.

Head down to the river to look for

• Northern Water Snake
• Snapping Turtle
• Green Frog
• Bullfrog
• Pickerel Frog

Other activities:

• Live reptile and amphibians on display
• Get your feet wet on a guided search to find wild snakes, frogs and more
• Reptile and amphibian related games and activities
• Receive a FREE reptile or amphibian guide
• FREE Public Access of Waterways (Rivers edition) 
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Admission

Admission is free. Pre-registration is required. 

Cick here to register online or call registration at 

440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226.

A Paine Full Day

Originally posted by Campbell Outdoors

 

As the sun rose over the Chagrin River a hot chrome hen tail-walked in the mist across the river.  It's gonna be a good day Tater!

It's always nice to start the day on familiar waters.  The Chag didn't let me down yesterday.  I fished her for a couple of hours and moved on to the Grand River.

The Grand's flow was finally coming down, but when I arrived on the scene, the visibility was still pretty poor.  What to do?

A friend recently told me to consider Paine Creek sometime when the major tribs are blown.  I had already seen a couple other Grand River feeder creeks and they were low and clear (even less ideal).  But Paine Creek is supposed to be very scenic and boasts a well known waterfall.  So, I thought I would waste some time surveying the creek and just enjoy the hike.  Any fish would be a bonus.  My hope was that the Grand would continue to improve and I could get back to her later.

Upon arriving at the creek, I noticed there were several Lake Metroparks trucks in the area with numerous rangers trolling up and down the creek on all-terrain vehicles with large tanks on them. I stopped and talked to the rangers.  They were stocking rainbow trout in the creek.

This is not my style of fishing, but I had time to burn.  I joked to one of the rangers that had I known this situation was going to arise today, I would have brought my 3wt rod.  He immediately responded, "You better stick to that heavy rod.  We've stocked some really large rainbows and some extra steelhead from the hatchery are mixed in as well."

So, I started my hike up the creek.  All I can say is that this is a stunning creek.  The hike alone was worth the day.

I tied on a single egg pattern and a small beadhead Prince nymph.  The flow in the creek was pretty low, so I decided a tiny strike indicator might be helpful.  I made a drift across a deep hole and quickly caught a feisty little bow.

I continued to make my way up this majestic creek enjoying my Friday smoke and catching rainbows left and right.  And yes, I was routinely catching fish in the 20" range...which is what I thought the ranger meant by "steelhead size."

I fished that creek from about 11:00am until 5:00pm and had a ball.  I endured a couple of thunderstorms.  I suspect I caught 30-40 rainbows along the way.  All the while I was thinking how great would it be to have my kids with me?

I wanted to head back down to the main river and make a few swings for some fresh chrome.  As I walked down the creek, I noticed a couple of large shadows in a pool.  I was not sure if they were steelhead or maybe even carp.  I made a drift through the pool and a huge rainbow came up and hit my strike indicator.  Pellet-head!  I made a 2nd drift and he hit the indicator again.  Strangely, I don't carry any dry flies or strike indicators with hooks in them in my steelhead box.  I made a third drift and this time my indicator stopped cold and something HUGE came out of the water with my CopperJohn in it's mouth.  It was on!

This thing was powerful and energized.  Man did it have shoulders on it.  I knew it was big, but sometimes it's just hard to tell how big until it hits the net.  I had the fish near the net for a moment and it shot off again.  In that moment I saw the girthiest rainbow of my life.  This thing had king salmon shoulders on it.

The fish and I went back and forth several times and finally I got it in the net.  HEAVY!  This fish had to weigh 15lbs.  I measured the fish and it was 30" long and 20 inches in girth.  WHAT?  I'll tell you what.  We call that a Pellet-Hog.  It was a steelhead, but it had to be a stocker from the hatchery.  No steelhead out of the lake hits your strike indicator.

As I was leaving the creek, I ran into the rangers again.  They were coming in to do a little fishing themselves.  I mentioned the fish I had just caught.  The ranger just laughed and said, "I told you that heavy rod would be fine.  Those fish are from the Castalia Hatchery and they threw in a few of their big steelhead stock as well."

Kudos to the Lake Metroparks for putting together such a nice stocking program on their creeks.  As I thought about it through the day, I remembered, the point of this blog is to help folks with limited time maximize there time in the outdoors.  So yea, across the board, I really don't like to chase stockies.  But, when your time is limited, I have to tell you...you can't beat this little Paine Creek for a good time.  It may not be Montana, but when you see the beauty of the creek and bring a few nice rainbows to hand, you'll be glad you took a few hours out of your week to be there.  I liked it so much, I'm going to take one of my daughters back today.  I can't wait to share it with her!

UPDATE: 4/3/11 - I received word from another local fisheries biologist concerning the big TOAD this morning.  He said he was stocking some of their streams yesterday and they use the same supplier as Lake Metroparks.  The same gentleman supplied the fish for Paine Creek last Friday.  He said he did NOT put any 10lb+ fish in Paine Creek and that slab has to be from the Lake Erie.  Interesting.  I have seen steelhead surface and I read reports every year about them being caught on dry flies.  I have never had one repeatedly hit a strike indicator.  I guess that's what happens when steelhead don't read the books we write about them ;)  

A chance to experience Ohio's great fishing - for FREE!

Fishing in the Chagrin River - Photo by J. Dell Photography

Ohioans are encouraged to take advantage of "Free Fishing Days" on May 7 and 8, 2011 and experience the great fishing Ohio has to offer, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife. For these two days only, Ohio anglers may fish in any of the state's public waters without having to buy a fishing license. 

Portions of two state designated wild and scenic rivers - and many tributaries - flow through and are protected by Lake Metroparks.  We also have parks protecting Lake Erie's shoreline.  To fish in the waters in these parks, plus in the pond at Veterans Park, requires a state fishing license.  This weekend (May 7 & 8, 2011), come explore and fish in these parks for free as part of "Free Fishing Days" sponsored by ODNR.  To find which parks provide access to the Chagrin and Grand Rivers and those that provide lakefront access, click here.

During the rest of the year, anglers 16 years of age and older are required to have a valid fishing license to take fish, frogs or turtles from Ohio waters. An Ohio fishing license is one of the best recreation bargains available, costing only $19 a year for residents.  Click here for information on how to obtain a state fishing license.

Did You Know?

Ohio residents born on or before December 31, 1937 can obtain a free fishing license at any license vendor. Residents age 66 and older who were born on or after January 1, 1938 are eligible to obtain a reduced cost ($10) senior fishing license. A one-day fishing license is also available for $11, an amount that later can be applied toward the cost of an annual fishing license. Fishing licenses are available at bait and tackle stores, outdoor outfitters, major department stores, as well as on the Internet at wildohio.com.

Ohio's Free Fishing Days were established in 1993 to promote fishing and allow Ohioans to experience fishing before buying a license. The offer is open to Ohio residents, and extends to all public waters including Lake Erie and the Ohio River. An estimated 1.3 million people fish each year in Ohio.

Great fishing exists around the state and throughout the year. In late winter and early spring, anglers reel in excellent catches of steelhead trout and walleye from northern Ohio streams. Spring also means great saugeye and crappie fishing. During the summer months, the fishing heats up on Lake Erie for yellow perch, walleye, and smallmouth bass, while anglers on the Ohio River enjoy excellent striped bass fishing.

The Free Fishing Free Days weekend offers Ohioans of all ages the chance to experience the fun of fishing. For anyone taking a young angler, there's nothing more rewarding than teaching a kid to fish. Here are some helpful tips:

• Keep it simple. Consider the child's age and skill level. If this is their first time, shore fishing is recommended.
• Kids like to catch fish. The size of fish doesn't matter to kids. But catching a fish—any fish—does. Choose a pond, lake or stream where they will easily be able to catch a few fish.
• Use simple tackle. A good rod and reel for kids costs between $15 and $30.  A spin-cast reel is easy to use and, after a few practice casts, kids usually have mastered it.
• Bring along a camera. Children love to show off pictures of their "big catch." Share your fishing photos at wildohio.com.
• Keep the trip fun-and short. Let the child have a good time, even if it means taking a break. Take time out to explore and enjoy the time together.
• Be patient. Plan on spending some time untangling lines, baiting hooks, landing fish, and taking pictures of big smiles and wiggling fish. By concentrating all your attention on your young angler, you'll likely be developing a fishing buddy for a lifetime.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.