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Rivers & Streams

Chagrin River Fishing Guide

Ohio

A Lake Erie tributary with a steelhead run and summer smallmouth.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Chagrin River for steelhead and smallmouth bass. The best months overall are Year-round. In October, steelhead and smallmouth bass are in season, and Pat's Rubber Legs, Egg Pattern and Clouser Minnow are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 60 miles (3 fly, 9 bait and tackle); the closest is Erieshore Beverage and Bait in Eastlake, 1 mi away. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. Rocky River is 26 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Year-round

In October

Steelhead, Smallmouth Bass

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Chagrin River Species

Steelhead

Prime Now
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Best: Oct to Apr

Smallmouth Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Oct

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

11 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Pat's Rubber Legs #4-10

    Fly

    Nymph · Steelhead

    Shop This Fly

  • Egg Pattern #8-16

    Fly

    Nymph · Steelhead · Indicator rig.

    Shop This Fly

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Intruder 2 to 4 in

    Fly

    Streamer · Steelhead · Swung on a spey rod.

    Shop This Fly

  • Egg-Sucking Leech #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Steelhead

    Shop This Fly

  • Crayfish Fly #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Inline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz

    Lure

    Spinner · Smallmouth Bass, Steelhead

    Shop This Lure

  • Ned Rig 2.5 to 3 in

    Lure

    Finesse · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Tube Jig 3 to 4 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Cured Salmon Eggs Single or cluster

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Steelhead · Where bait is legal.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Steelhead

Fly 11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.

Smallmouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Chagrin River

Fly Rods

Echo Spey Rod

A two-handed rod for swinging flies across big steelhead and salmon runs.

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Fly Lines

RIO Bass Fly Line

A short, aggressive head that turns over wind-resistant poppers and bass bugs.

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Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.

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Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit

A complete rod, reel, and line outfit that covers most trout water and small-stream bass.

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Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

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Fly Lines

Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line

A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.

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Leaders & Tippet

RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet

Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.

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Within 60 Miles

Shops Near Chagrin River

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Ohio · 26 mi

Rocky River

A Steelhead Alley tributary in Cleveland Metroparks with fall through spring steelhead.

Steelhead

Lakes & Reservoirs · Ohio · 40 mi

Mosquito Creek Lake

A northeast Ohio reservoir with walleye and crappie.

Walleye · Crappie · Largemouth Bass

Rivers & Streams · Pennsylvania · 60 mi

Elk Creek

One of the most popular Erie tributaries for fall through spring steelhead.

Steelhead

Lakes & Reservoirs · Ohio · 72 mi

Lake Erie

Western basin walleye water around Port Clinton, the self-styled Walleye Capital, with smallmouth around the islands and perch through fall.

Walleye · Smallmouth bass · Yellow perch