Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, your go-to expert for all things fishing in and around Lake Erie, particularly in the Cleveland area. As of today, February 2, 2025, here’s what you need to know to make the most of your fishing trip.

### Weather and Ice Conditions
The weather forecast indicates a continued thawing of the icy rivers and lakes, which is good news for those eager to get back to open water fishing. However, be cautious as ice jams are likely, and the ice on smaller lakes and ponds is still variable but generally unsafe for heavy foot traffic. For ice fishing, stick to the protected harbors and inland lakes where the ice is more stable.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Today, sunrise is at around 7:34 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 5:23 PM. These times are crucial for planning your fishing trip, especially if you're targeting species that are more active during these periods.

### Fish Activity
Recently, anglers have been having success with ice fishing for stocked trout at several lakes and ponds within the Cleveland Metroparks system. Lakes such as Shadow, Ledge, Judge’s, Wallace, and Ranger have been stocked with a mix of rainbow, brook, brown, golden rainbow, and tiger trout. Steelhead are also active in the rivers and harbors, with some anglers catching them through the ice using jigging spoons and small baits.

### Types and Amounts of Fish
The recent trout stocking has been a highlight, with over 3,500 pounds of mixed trout stocked in December and additional stockings in late January. For steelhead, the daily limit is 2 with a minimum size of 12 inches, whether you're fishing in the rivers, harbors, or Lake Erie. Yellow perch and northern pike are also being caught in the protected harbors.

### Best Lures and Bait
For stocked trout, small baits and jigs under small ice floats are effective. Medium-sized jigging spoons (2-3 inches) worked at various depths can also produce good results. These spoons can be tipped with maggots, waxworms, or small minnows for added attraction. For steelhead through the ice, similar baits to those used for trout are effective, along with live bait offerings they typically bite in the river. Yellow perch are biting small ice jigs tipped with maggots or waxworms, while northern pike are best caught using jigging spoons and live minnows.

### Hot Spots
If you're looking for some prime spots to cast your line, here are a few recommendations:

- **Cleveland Lakefront Metro Parks**: This area is excellent for pier fishing, offering a variety of species including bass, salmon, carp, and steelhead. The East 55th Street Marina is a great spot with a 1,200-foot fishing pier.
- **Rocky River**: Known as "steelhead alley," this river is home to a significant population of steelhead trout, especially during their upstream migration in the fall and their return to the lake in the spring.
- **Protected Harbors**: Areas like E55th Marina, Gordon Park/E72nd boat ramps, and Edgewater Park boat ramps are safe and productive for ice fishing, offering steelhead, yellow perch, and northern pike.

Remember to always check the ice conditions and follow safety guidelines, especially if you're new to ice fishing. Stay safe, and tight lines