The Ohio Division of Wildlife is gearing up for the annual steelhead stocking, expected in late April to early May 2026. Approximately 465,000 yearling steelhead — all Little Manistee strain raised at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery — will be released into seven Lake Erie tributaries.
Expected Stocking Numbers by River
| River | Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grand River | ~90,000 | Largest watershed (705 sq mi) |
| Chagrin River | ~90,000 | Excellent public access |
| Rocky River | ~90,000 | Most accessible (Cleveland Metroparks) |
| Conneaut Creek | ~75,000 | Only OH trib with natural reproduction |
| Cuyahoga River | ~60,000 | Third year since the historic 2024 stocking |
| Vermilion River | ~55,000 | Western Alley anchor |
| Ashtabula River | ~50,000 | Added as water quality improved |
| Total | ~465,000 |
The Little Manistee Strain
Ohio stocks the Little Manistee strain, sourced from wild steelhead entering Michigan's Little Manistee River. Ohio switched from the London domestic strain to Little Manistee in 1996, which dramatically improved return rates. The eggs are collected in Michigan each spring and transported to the Castalia State Fish Hatchery for rearing.
Steelhead smolts average 7-9 inches when stocked and are released at public access points upstream from river mouths. After stocking, smolts migrate to Lake Erie where they spend 2-3 summers growing before returning to tributaries as adults.
The Cuyahoga Comeback
The Cuyahoga River stocking remains a milestone — this river famously caught fire in 1969, and its inclusion in the steelhead program beginning in 2024 represents decades of environmental recovery. The 2020 removal of the Gorge Dam opened 1.5+ miles of additional river, and the Free the Falls project aims to restore even more habitat.
When to Expect Stocking
ODNR typically stocks steelhead in late April to early May, with all seven rivers stocked within a two-week window. Exact dates are announced 1-2 weeks in advance. We'll update this article with confirmed dates as they're released.
Follow our River Conditions page for real-time flow data, or explore all 31 rivers on the River Explorer.
