Lake Erie Steelhead Streams, Ohio
The seven stocked tributaries, yearly stocking, access points, flows and the trout and salmon limits.
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Ohio Lake Erie tributaries stocked with steelhead
ODNR stocks steelhead yearlings in seven Lake Erie tributaries between Vermilion and Conneaut: 464,538 fish in 2025 and a 2026 target of 450,000, from 50,000 to 80,000 per stream. The fish run back up these streams fall through spring (ODNR program sheet); October through May (ODNR Lake Erie Fishing Guide). Each stream page lists its ODNR access points and any USGS gauge.
Steelhead (stocked Rainbow Trout, yearlings 7-9 in., April and May, Castalia State Fish Hatchery)
| Stream | County | 2026 target | 2025 stocked | Access points | Gauges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashtabula River | Ashtabula | 50,000 | 50,105 | 11 | 0 |
| Chagrin River | Cuyahoga | 80,000 | 80,003 | 23 | 1 |
| Conneaut Creek | Ashtabula | 50,000 | 64,219 | 13 | 1 |
| Cuyahoga River | Cuyahoga | 60,000 | 60,125 | 39 | 6 |
| Grand River | Ashtabula | 80,000 | 80,020 | 31 | 1 |
| Rocky River | Cuyahoga | 80,000 | 80,045 | 10 | 1 |
| Vermilion River | Erie | 50,000 | 50,021 | 8 | 1 |
ODNR Ohio steelhead program sheet (Updated: January 2025) and steelhead stockings 2021-2025, retrieved October 26, 2026.
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Trout and salmon limits on Ohio Lake Erie tributaries
| Species | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout & Salmon | Lake Erie proper and the entire length of all Lake Erie creeks, rivers, and tributaries | 2 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | March 1 – May 15, 2026 |
| Trout & Salmon | Lake Erie proper and the entire length of all Lake Erie creeks, rivers, and tributaries | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | May 16 – Aug. 31, 2026 |
| Trout & Salmon | Lake Erie proper and the entire length of all Lake Erie creeks, rivers, and tributaries | 2 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | Sept. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Trout & Salmon | Cold Creek upstream of State Route 2 (Erie County) | 5 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
Limits as printed in the 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027) and the ODNR Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch daily limits sheet (May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027); retrieved October 26, 2026.
Brook trout may not be taken or kept in the Ashtabula, Chagrin, Conneaut and Grand rivers and their tributaries. Most stream banks are private; fish from parks and public access points or with the owner’s permission.
Live flow on the Ohio steelhead streams
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Chagrin River At Willoughby Oh | 48 cfs, 3.23 ft gage height | Oct 27 7:15 pm |
| Conneaut Creek At Conneaut Oh | 15 cfs, 1.43 ft gage height | Oct 27 7:00 pm |
| Cuyahoga River At Hiram Rapids Oh | 58 cfs, 1.53 ft gage height | Oct 27 7:15 pm |
| Cuyahoga River At Old Portage Oh | 96 cfs, 2.21 ft gage height | Oct 27 7:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 27, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Steelhead move upstream on rising water after rain and hold in pools as flows drop and clear.
Lake Erie Steelhead Streams, Ohio, with Ohio water shown
Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Sixflashphoto, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Stacy Brunner, CC BY 2.0
Questions on Ohio steelhead streams
Which Ohio streams get steelhead?
Seven tributaries get them: Ashtabula River, Chagrin River, Conneaut Creek, Cuyahoga River, Grand River, Rocky River and Vermilion River.
How many steelhead does Ohio stock each year?
464,538 yearlings went into the seven streams in 2025; the 2026 targets add up to 450,000.
Which stream got the most in 2025?
Rocky River, 80,045 yearlings.
When do steelhead run in Ohio?
Fall through spring (ODNR program sheet); October through May (ODNR Lake Erie Fishing Guide).
How many steelhead may I keep?
It changes by date: 2 (March 1 – May 15, 2026), 5 (May 16 – Aug. 31, 2026) and 2 (Sept. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027).
Is there a size limit on Ohio steelhead?
A 12 inches minimum on Lake Erie and its tributaries.
Is there an Ohio steelhead stamp?
Ohio sells no trout stamp; the regular license covers trout and steelhead, $25.00 a year for residents and $76.96 for nonresidents.
Can I fish from private stream banks?
Only with the landowner’s permission; ODNR maps list the public access points on each stream.