WCO Weekly Fishing Report 12/05/00: Erie area, Erie, PA
Fishing Report Posted: December 06, 2000

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Posted by WCO John Bowser on December 06, 2000 at 13:07:52:

Fish activity continues to be good with creek levels high. Continued
precipitation should keep water levels up. Activity should be exceptional
between iceovers with fish all through out the creeks.

Fair numbers of Coho along with the steelhead have been caught in the Walnut
basin and the Trout Run Marina. Tipped Jigs seem to be the bait of choice.
Best depth below bobber noted

This past weekend saw a good number of anglers doing well along the shore at
Trout Run. Spoons and Rooster tails were working well

If creeks are frozen over, breaking up the ice in an attempt to fish can be
unsafe and most often does little more than spook the fish. Lake Erie ice &
ice on moving water (streams) is usually to be considered unsafe.

Creek freeze overs are a good time to lubricate reels, repair damaged rods,
retie nets, tie flys, respool, practice some new knots, patch waders, and
surf the net for new ideas and tactics. The Internet offers endless
information on fishing especially for our local area.

Ice tips:
Early season ice overs can be dangerous as ambitious anglers attempt
venturing out on to thin ice. Ice conditions can change rapidly and all ice
should be approached with common sense and caution:

1) Four inches of solid ice should be the minimum thickness for a small
group of
anglers that keep spread out. An auger should be used to test thickness.

2) "Blue/black ice is more solid than white ice. Clear/transparent ice is
the weakest.

3) Shoreline ice is often the weakest area and should be approached with
caution.

4) Carry ice grips in case of a fall in. Ice grips can be as simple as 2
short 1"
wooden dowels. Hammer a 16 penny nail into one end of each dowel, then
grind
the head off each nail. A hole drilled in each dowel and a cord too
attach the two
together and you're all set.

5) Wear a PFD or a Float Coat

6) Try to fish with a buddy

7) Watch for shifting ice and intersecting cracks especially on large
expanses of
water such as Presque Isle Bay. On Presque Isle Bay, incoming ships can
actually shift ice as far as several miles away.

8) When venturing far out, use a small sled to pull your gear and spread
out your
weight while walking. (Much easier on the back too)

9) Avoid ice that has standing water on it.

Randy Leighton
Deputy Water Conservation Officer
PA. Fish and Boat Commisssion
West Erie County
Rglerie@aol.com
..............................................................................

...........................................
Edinboro Lake - Zebra Mussel Update

On November 8 and 9, 2000 DEP conducted a Zebra Mussel study on Edinboro Lake
to determine the extent of the population. Approximately forty sample
locations were utilized to determine the population at various depths in the
lake. The results indicate that the highest concentration of mussels is at
the 1'-2' depth. The average density per square meter is 290 mussels. The
0-1' range and the 2'-3' range are have similar densities of 273 and 271.6
respectively. Between 3'-4' the density drops to 174 per square meter, and
at 4'-5' the average density is 55 per square meter. Below 5' the population
the samples resulted in zero zebra mussels captured. (The study does report
that it is recognized that zebra mussels are present at depths of up to 8'+
on selected hard substrates. However, these organisms were not collected
during quantitative sampling, and are not included in this estimate. Taking
these figures in to account the total lake population is estimated to be
greater that 37.3 (37,273,524) million mussels.

The US Army Corps of Engineers published a study in July 1992 which concluded
that Zebra Mussels can be effectively controlled by winter dewatering and
exposure to subfreezing temperatures. The time required for 100 percent
mortality ranged from approximately 1/2 hour at 20 degrees F to greater than
48 hours at 32 degrees.

Using the population density information from DEP, and information from US
Army Corps of Engineers, Edinboro Borough (with assistance from DEP) has
requested a Draw Down Permit through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission. On December 5, 2000 a meeting was held at the Borough Hall to
discuss the permit request and logistics of such a draw down. The meeting
concluded in agreement to a lake draw down of 5' to 5.5' in depth for no more
than three days. Upon final approval signatures of the permit, the draw down
will begin immediately. Please listen to local news media for the exact date
of the draw down.

Please note, that although the Fish and Boat Commission is very concerned
about possible long term effects to populations of native aquatic species, it
has been determined that no significant impact should be noted. Edinboro
Lake has gone through many lake draw downs over the years, and no negative
impact has been observed or documented by studies.
The Fish and Boat Commission is concerned also for the safety of ice
fisherman during this draw down period. It is difficult to determine how the
draw down will effect the thin layer of ice that has begun to form. It is
therefore recommended that all ice anglers, cross country skiers, and skaters
take extra caution during this draw down period.

WCO Ann Caretto




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