Fishing Season: Spring

Chagrin River - OH

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

34

Orvis Westlake's Tip of the Week

Lake run smallmouth are here! Target them around structure in deeper pools in the lower sectons of the river with clouser and zonker style flies!

Directions open in app

Map of Chagrin River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 4/15/26

Flows are in good shape this week and fish are being caught all through the river system. Some additional precipitation is expected through the week.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/15/26

Swinging flies this time of year is a great way to target smallmouth and the remaining steelhead as they drop back to the lake.

Local Species Available Spring

  • Fish Icon

    Smallmouth / Steelhead

Orvis Westlake's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Zonker White 6, 8
Clouser Minnow Orange, Pink, Peach, 8, 10, 12,
Chicken Little Pink, Chartreuse 8
Bead Head Prince Black , Olive 6, 8 ,10
Woolly Bugger Chartreuse, Black, White 6, 8, 10,
Tunghead Stonefly Black 10, 12, 14

Zonker

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Item #0616

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Orvis Westlake's Recommended Gear

Description: About Chagrin River

The Chagrin is a medium-sized river with moderate gradient, easily waded by fly fishers. It originates in Geauga County and ultimately winds its way north, entering Lake Erie at Eastlake, OH. It is one of only five Lake Erie tributaries in Ohio that receive annual stockings of steelhead from the ODNR, and provides anglers with exceptional steelhead fishing opportunities from October through April most years. Steelhead are, without question, the main attraction on the Chagrin. During the season steelhead can be found anywhere in the river from the dam in Gates Mills north to the lake. While the peak of the steelhead run in Ohio is typically March and April, fall and winter can offer great fishing as well, with some of the most aggressive fish of the year being taken during October and November. The river is mostly hard-rock shale bottom, with gravel runs and pools holding the highest concentrations of migrating steelhead. It is easily fished with a single-hand rod in the 9 to 10 foot, 7 or 8-weight class. Switch rod models are popular as well, giving anglers the versatility to execute two-handed spey casts along with traditional single-hand nymphing techniques. The river fishes best between 150 and 350 CFS (look at the USGS chart to determine real time flows) In addition to steelhead, the Chagrin holds excellent populations of resident smallmouth bass and carp. These species provide great warm-water fly fishing and are the target species for fly fishers during the months of June, July, August and September. A 9 ft. 6-weight rod is ideal for pursuing the resident fish of the Chagrin, and excellent fishing can be had the entire length of the river, with some of the best fishing found upstream of the Gates Mills dam. Though there are long stretches of private water, the Cleveland and Lake Metroparks provide excellent public access for anglers. An Ohio fishing license is required.

Nearest Airport:

Cleveland Hopkins Int'l airport (CLE), Cleveland-Akron-Canton (CAK)

Hatches:

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Best Time to Fish:

Early Morning / Evening

Best Stretch:

North Chagrin Reservation

Best Access:

Lower to middle access points