Last 14 days
Daily flow table
| Date | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 13 | 67.6 | 68.3 | 68.9 |
| Mon, Oct 12 | 64.4 | 66.2 | 68.9 |
| Sun, Oct 11 | 60.7 | 66.9 | 76.0 |
| Sat, Oct 10 | 61.3 | 61.8 | 62.5 |
| Fri, Oct 9 | 60.7 | 61.3 | 62.5 |
| Thu, Oct 8 | 61.3 | 62.2 | 63.2 |
| Wed, Oct 7 | 61.9 | 63.6 | 64.4 |
| Tue, Oct 6 | 64.4 | 65.3 | 66.3 |
| Mon, Oct 5 | 66.3 | 68.9 | 70.4 |
| Sun, Oct 4 | 71.3 | 76.9 | 83.8 |
| Sat, Oct 3 | 83.8 | 89.0 | 96.6 |
| Fri, Oct 2 | 62.5 | 89.5 | 132 |
| Thu, Oct 1 | 62.5 | 63.9 | 64.4 |
| Wed, Sep 30 | 64.4 | 66.0 | 68.3 |
| Tue, Sep 29 | 66.3 | 66.3 | 66.3 |
Daily low, average and high flow in cfs, Eastern time. The current day is partial.
What the RiverTrax app adds
- Alerts at your range
Pick the flow you like and RiverTrax notifies you when the Rocky gets there.
- A home-screen widget
See the Rocky's flow, gauge height and trend on your iPhone home screen without opening anything.
- All your rivers in one list
Save the Rocky and other Steelhead Alley gauges as favorites and check them at a glance.
What's normal, and when the run happens
The Rocky runs through Cleveland's western suburbs, and Cleveland Metroparks owns most of the river corridor as Rocky River Reservation. DIY Fly Fishing describes it as one of the Lake Erie tributaries ODNR stocks with Little Manistee strain steelhead, with fish running up from the lake every fall.
It's a quick river: DIY Fly Fishing puts its run-off time at 2–3 days after rain, and adds that a reading around 300 cfs and falling usually means good fishing is close.
| Date | Low year (25%) | Median | High year (75%) | Median vs. range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15 | 13 | 35 | 78 | Below |
| Nov 1 | 24 | 48 | 116 | Below |
| Nov 15 | 35 | 88 | 204 | Below |
| Dec 1 | 50 | 141 | 314 | Below |
| Dec 15 | 64 | 177 | 445 | Inside |
| Jan 15 | 73 | 147 | 327 | Below |
| Feb 15 | 99 | 197 | 528 | Inside |
| Mar 15 | 196 | 316 | 714 | Above |
| Apr 15 | 134 | 232 | 405 | Inside |
| May 15 | 73 | 150 | 373 | Inside |
Access and parking
Nearly all of the river runs through Cleveland Metroparks' Rocky River Reservation along Valley Parkway, so access is easy. These details come from Cleveland Metroparks.
- Emerald Necklace Marina1500 Scenic Park Dr., Lakewood, OH 44107
Near the mouth. The marina's ship store sells live bait and fishing tackle. Source: Cleveland Metroparks
- Morley FordValley Parkway, Rocky River Reservation
Cleveland Metroparks says it has easy access off Valley Parkway with parking nearby, and calls it a good spot for steelhead. Source: Cleveland Metroparks
- Rockcliff Springs FordValley Parkway, Rocky River Reservation
Also off Valley Parkway with parking nearby; Cleveland Metroparks lists it for steelhead and smallmouth bass. Source: Cleveland Metroparks
ODNR's steelhead map marks 13 areas in all, including Madison Pool, Horse Ford, Lorain Road Bridge, Blue Bank Pools, Mastic Woods, the South Mastic picnic areas, Brookpark Overpass, Cedar Point Area and Lagoon Dam. See the ODNR Rocky River steelhead map (PDF).
Stocking
The Ohio Division of Wildlife stocks the Rocky River every spring with yearling steelhead, which spend time in Lake Erie before coming back to the river as adults.
| Spring | Steelhead stocked |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 80,045 |
| 2024 | 81,051 |
| 2023 | 93,801 |
| 2022 | 94,530 |
| 2021 | 100,532 |
Source: ODNR, Ohio Steelhead Stockings 2021–2025 (PDF). ODNR describes the figures as approximate.
Common questions
What flow is best for steelhead on the Rocky River?
DIY Fly Fishing says the Rocky fishes best between about 150 and 250 cfs on the USGS gauge near Berea (04201500), and that around 300 cfs and falling usually means conditions are about to be good.
How long does the Rocky River take to clear after rain?
About 2–3 days, according to DIY Fly Fishing, which makes it one of the quicker Ohio steelhead rivers to come back.
Where can I fish for steelhead on the Rocky River?
Almost anywhere along Rocky River Reservation. Cleveland Metroparks owns most of the corridor along Valley Parkway, and ODNR's map marks 13 steelhead areas from the Emerald Necklace Marina upstream.
Is the Rocky River stocked?
Yes. ODNR stocked about 80,000 yearling steelhead in each of 2024 and 2025.
What is the steelhead limit on the Rocky River?
In Ohio, Lake Erie and its tributaries have a daily limit of two trout and salmon combined from September 1 through May 15, and you need an Ohio fishing license. Check the current rules before you go. Ohio rule 1501:31-13-08.