WCO Report for Erie and Crawford County 02/06/02: Erie area, PA,
Fishing Report Posted: February 06, 2002

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Posted by WCO John Bowser on February 06, 2002 at 10:03:50:

Western Erie County / WCO John Bowser & DWCO Randy Leighton

Conditions
Winter is back with partial ice on most of the tribs although plenty open water is available at most all of the popular west county spots. The Manchester Hole and the Walnut basin have begun to ice over again with limited angling available. The Project waters remain somewhat ice free and are holding fish. A good number of fresh fish have been caught along the wall at the Walnut access...perhaps indicative of a good spring run. Lower Elk near the access is producing fresh fish as is the Lakeshore at Trout and Godfrey Runs..weather and waves permitting. Water clarity is good most everywhere there is open water. Popular baits this past weekend included skein, single eggs, and shiners.

Forecast for Erie
Wednesday: A few clouds from time to time. High around 38F. Winds SW 15 to 20 mph.
Wednesday night: Mostly clear early then partly cloudy overnight. Low around 31F. Winds SSW 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday: Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High near 41F. Winds W 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday (24 hours): Clouds giving way to sunshine in the afternoon. Highs in the low 40s and lows in the upper 20s.
Friday (24 hours): Mostly cloudy. Highs in the low 40s and lows in the low 30s.
Saturday (24 hours): More clouds than sun. Highs in the mid 40s and lows in the low 30s.

Safe Boating Course - Only a few weeks left to sign up
A PFBC Basic Boating Course is scheduled for February 25th and 26th. (Mon. & Tues.) from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. at the Nature Center on Presque Isle (Stull Interpretive Center). This looks as though it is going to be a large class with provisions being made to handle all that are interested. This is an eight hour course that covers the basics of boating safety. Materials are provided and there is no cost for the class. This is a great course for the beginning boater or to freshen up your boating skills. Successful completion of the course earns the participant a boaters safety certificate as required for personal watercraft operation. To register you can email Officers Bowser or Leighton at Jwb014@aol.com or Rglerie@aol.com or you may call 774-0928 leaving your name, # of people attending, & a return phone #.
The PFBC has other convenient options to obtain a certificate ... you can check them out on line at: http://www.boat-ed.com/pa/index.htm

Other scheduled Erie Boating courses:
Erie USCG Auxiliary Boating Safely Poreco Center Erie 3/2/2002 8:30 AM Pat or Beth (814) 836-1955
Erie USCG Auxiliary Boating Safely Poreco Center Erie 3/16/2002 8:30 AM Pat or Beth (814) 836-1955
Erie USCG Auxiliary Boating Safely Poreco Center Erie 3/30/2002 8:30 AM Pat or Beth (814) 836-1955

Preseason Stockings / Western Erie County
Date ....................... Water Area ................... Meeting Place & Time
4/11/2002 Upper Gravel Pit Fairview Fish Culture Station - 09:45AM
4/12/2002 Crooked Creek I-79 at McKean Exit - 10:00AM
4/12/2002 Elk Creek I-79 at McKean Exit- 10:00AM


Central Erie County / WCO Tom Edwards

Fishing
Braving the coldest winter temperatures so far, anglers have been spotted on the North and South piers along the Erie Channel targeting Perch and Burbot. This can be a great alternative to our winter steelhead fishing and can produce some mouthwatering table fare. The bait of choice is shiners, especially the larger ones when targeting Burbot. Weighted perch or crappie rigs with tandem hooks work well. Perch and other panfish are being caught on calmer days along the Bayfront near the Dobbins Landing especially at daybreak and just before sunset. Crappie and other panfish can be targeted along the dock areas in Marina Bay at the park and off the wall near the Perry Monument.

Preseason Stockings / Central Erie County
Date ....................... Water Area ................... Meeting Place & Time
3/13/2002 Conneauttee Creek F D Walker Building , Erie St., Edinboro - 09:15AM
4/10/2002 Waterworks Pond Niagara Launch, Presque Isle State Park - 10:00AM
4/12/2002 Cascade Creek I-79 at McKean Exit - 10:00AM


Eastern Erie County -WCO Mark Kerr
Due to the constant temperature variations these past few weeks, many anglers whom I have spoken to have expressed considerable consternation over not being able to determine whether ice-huts or waders are the appropriate gear to utilize when heading out for a day of angling on area waters. Perhaps Mother Nature will even out her temperament and help remedy this dilemma in the near future.
Regardless, there have been areas of opportunity for the diligent angle. East County tribs, especially Sixteen and Twenty Mile Creeks, are still holding good numbers of Steelhead. Limited angling pressure can be found south of Route 20 through, and extending well into New York State. Sixteen Mile holds active numbers throughout the usual haunts, especially in that area around the falls, just northeast of the treatment plant on North Mill Road.
For those interested in casting their lines at the old fashioned inland trout, Lake Pleasant has been producing some success. Several Browns were harvested just prior to the warm up of last week. Additionally, this lake is scheduled for stocking with Rainbow Trout during the week of 02/18/2002. Heavy rains and snow melt have caused substantial increases to the water level of many local streams and impoundments. Many, at this time, are swift high and off color. Leboeuf, both the Lake and Creek, from Waterford through the junction with French Creek, has spread well into the flood plain. However, this has seemed to peak the interest of some local Walleye fishermen, as several have been seen as far south as the Crawford County line. Success, in terms of harvest, appears low; yet the opportunity for increased days afield has certainly presented itself. Additionally, PFBC personnel have been busy preparing for upcoming preseason stockings. Lastly, a minor timber harvesting operation along Orchard Beach Run, within Northeast Township, produced complaints from concerned citizens. Investigation revealed environmental/nursery water violations. Summary charges were filed against one party and recommendations for contact with the Erie Conservation District regarding implementation of appropriate environmental controls were addressed.


Preseason Stockings / Eastern Erie / Western Warren County
Date ....................... Water Area ................... Meeting Place & Time
3/14/2002 French Creek-South Branch Corry Hatchery - 08:30AM
3/22/2002 Brokenstraw Creek Spring Creek Volunteer Fire Hall (SR0426) - 08:45AM
3/25/2002 Spring Creek Spring Creek Volunteer Fire Hall (SR0426) - 08:45AM
3/27/2002 Little Brokenstraw Lottsville (SR0957) - 09:00AM
4/01/2002 Blue Eye Run Columbus Volunteer Fire Hall (SR0957) - 08:45AM
4/01/2002 Coffee Creek Columbus Volunteer Fire Hall (SR0957) - 08:45AM
4/03/2002 Lake Pleasant Lake Pleasant (SR1001) - 09:00AM
4/12/2002 Twenty Mile Creek I-79 at McKean Exit #39 - 10:00AM

Western Crawford County / WCO Joe Russell

Pymatuning Lake- the winter festival was semi-successful with a fairly good crowd over the weekend unfortunately we had no snow or ice. As of last week we got open water on the entire lake due to the unseasonable temperatures and heavy rain. Some boats went out on Saturday but I haven't heard how anyone did. A lot of the old timers are telling me that when ice is off this early that it will make for poor spring fishing but we will just have to wait and see. Should you decide to boat remember to plan to prevent hypothermia and keep an eye on the weather because winter storms can come up quick here. I don't think winter is over yet but we are having a hard time making good ice due to the heavy winds we have been getting here. If we get ice again before the end of the season I will be sure to let you know.

Conneaut Lake- Open water is present here as well and as of today I have seen no one fishing this lake. If anyone has any success stories I will be glad to pass them on, just e-mail me.





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