Fishing Season: Spring

Grand River - OH

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

54

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 Grand River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 4/29/26

Flows are in good shape this week and fish are distributed all through the river system. More precipitation is expected as the week goes on.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/29/26

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):
Bead Head Flash Zonker White 6,8
Hawkins Triple Double Rainbow 4
Hawkins' Hat Trick Black,Olive 6,8,10
Steelhead Hammer Orange, Peach,Chartr 8,10,12,14
Clouser Minnow White 4
Chicken Little White, White/Olive 6,8,10

Bead Head Flash Zonker

When fishing for bass, this pattern fills the need for an all-purpose big fish fly.

2.99

Item #930E

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Orvis Westlake's Recommended Gear

Description: About Grand River

The Grand River has over 50 miles of fishable water, which winds its way through urban areas, rural lanscapes, valleys, and gorges in Ohio. The " Grand" gets excellent returns of both Fall Pennsylvania strain steelhead and Spring run Manistee Strain Steelhead. Due to the managment efforts of the Ohio Division of Wildlife the Grand River has become a solid steelhead fishery, with great public access, and a solid steelhead fishery from October to May. The Grand River is also classified as one of Ohio's Wild and Scenic Rivers. The Grand also provides outstanding warmwater fly fishing! Excellent populations of smallmouth bass, some stretching to 18 inches or better, make streamer and topwater fishing exciting all summer. Carp, panfish and musky are all possible catches as well.

Nearest Airport:

Cleveland Airport, Erie International

Hatches:

This fishery is based off of subsurface activity, and there are no key hatches. Matching baitfish (Emerald Shiners, sculpin and crawfish) is more important.

Best Time to Fish:

Early Morning / Evening

Best Stretch:

Lower river

Best Access:

Lake Metroparks Public Access Points