Below is USGS stream gauge data in real time to help you decide where to fish for Lake Erie steelhead. This data is helpful after a big rain to determine which rivers are going to fish first. You will want to fish mid way through the drop after a good rain. The Vermilion and Grand rivers are usually the last rivers to clear after a rain for reference. The streams in Pennsylvania clear the fastest.
Each USGS stream gauge station reports real time flow and level data below. In some cases a gauge will go down due to ice or debris.
Vermilion Ohio Stream Gauge
The vermilion river usually takes longer to clear that the other rivers in Ohio. It has a lot of mud and sand banks that add to turbidity of the water. After a hard rain it can take up to one week for the river to become fishable.
Black River Lorain Stream Gauge
The Black River in Lorain, OH is not stocked with steelhead. However, it does get a fair amount of fish in the fall and spring time. This is an urban river that sees a lot of building runoff. This river can run muddy for a couple days after a rain and stay elevated.
Rocky River Ohio Stream Flows
The Rocky River is the most popular steelhead stream in Ohio. With plenty of access, anglers can choose where and how they want to fish. The river does clear somewhat faster than others.
Chagrin River Stream Gauge
The Chagrin clears fairly fast after rain. It runs through the suburbs of the city and can see a fair amouth of residential runoff. This is a great river to try if the others are high and muddy.
Grand River Stream Flows
The Grand River takes some time to clear after a good rain because of its size. This river is massive and has a large basin. However, this river does fish better than other rivers at a higher flow rate.
Conneaut Creek Ohio Stream Gauge
This creek clears quickly, even though its basin is large. It is mostly rural land and has a rocky bottom that helps clear it. When other streams are not fishable, give this on a try.
Walnut Creek, PA Stream Flows
Walnut Creek is a small stream in North Western PA. This stream is small and rocky, which helps clear it faster than other streams.
Some fishermen choose to fish the river mouths on the lakeside of these rivers. For wave reports, please visit our other weather pages for real-time data.