WCO Report April 2001: Erie area, PA,
Fishing Report Posted: March 28, 2001

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[ Lake Erie & Tributaries Fishing Report ]

Posted by WCO John Bowser on March 28, 2001 at 07:31:17:

CURRENT CONDITIONS...
Winter just doesn't want to let go in the Erie area...in fact we have now
surpassed the all time seasonal snowfall record. Current snow pack with
forecasted rains & warm up will keep water levels high for awhile. Remember
not to let high water ruin your fishing trip. Tribs on the East Side of the
County are the best bet in high water followed by the upper ends of Elk &
Crooked. Another option is fishing with scented baits close to shore in
muddy water. Fresh fish still are continuing to appear as of this writing.

WHERE TO GO FOR STEELHEAD:
The "hot spots" like Manchester, the Walnut Project waters, the Elk Creek
Access area and the Legion Park areas are really drawing the crowds. There
are good numbers of fish in Crooked creek with considerably fewer anglers.
Again, please note the posted Nursery areas on Crooked. Fishing in
Commission designated nursery waters is prohibited and officers have issued a
number of citations for this violation. Good catches have been reported in
the Walnut Creek boat basin and fish are being caught off the wall. The
"Chutes" area has been productive for the fast water angler.

HOT BAITS FOR STEELHEAD...
With the tribs having a nice dark color, jigs, minnows and skein are the
hottest baits. Suckerspawn and egg fly patterns are also working well.
Powerbaits continue to be a favorite as always but especially in murky water
conditions.

CRAPPIES...
Patrols found boat anglers catching large amounts of Crappie approximately 60
yards off shore. They were located about 1/4 mile past the third Parking Lot
where the shoreline nears the roadway. Remember that all boats must have the
proper lights displayed after sunset.

LANDOWNERS…
Remember that on the tributaries, even the streambeds are private property.
If land is posted or you are asked by a landowner to leave their property…
you must do it or face possible defiant trespass charges. You are a "guest"
on their property and should act as you would wish someone would if they were
in your backyard at home.
A reminder that fishing is only permitted on the West Bank of the Manchester
hole as well as the chutes area and is so posted. Fishing opportunities only
exist due to the landowner tolerance and hospitality. Anyone whose behavior
would threaten this access for future generations may find himself or herself
facing enforcement action from officers.
A great idea for those that love to watch or participate in the stocking of
trout is to carry along a garbage bag. There aren't always enough buckets to
go around and it sure is nice when the landowners see anglers picking up
litter along the stream.

S.O.N.S. Hatchery receives 33% Walleye Egg allocation increase…
The PFBC has increased the number of walleye eggs to the S,O.N.S. Co-op
Nursery by 33%. As with all Co-op Nurseries, eggs or small fry are provided
by the PFBC for these hard working volunteers to raise. This defers costs to
the agency and assists in enhancing fish stocks.

TROUT OPENER...
Regular trout season opens at 8:00 am on Saturday, April 14th. The daily
creel limit for the Fairview Gravel Pit, Lake Pleasant, & Conneauttee Creek
is 5 trout (combined species) with a minimum size limit of 7." These waters
are closed to fishing from April 1st to the Opening Day. Tributaries remain
open until midnight on April 12th. They close for only 32 hours to permit
stocking of the tribs. Remember that "ALL" boats using PFBC Owned or
Controlled Lakes or Access Areas must be registered. Local areas would
include Eaton Reservoir, Fairview Gravel Pit, Walnut Creek Access, etc…
Trout regulations on the Lake Erie tribs have a creel limit of 8 combined
species (only 3 may be 15"+)

Questions have arisen as to fishing in the tribs and Inland Waters on the
same day as to total fish permitted to be caught. Remember… IT IS A
REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION THAT FISH IN POSSESSION ON A WATERWAY WERE CAUGHT FROM
THAT WATERWAY. In other words… the burden of proof falls upon the angler that
they met the legal size or creel limit if he or she is found not to be in
compliance.

Some examples of awkward situations would be as follows:

1> An angler that caught 5 fish at the Gravel Pit could go to one of the
tribs and catch 3 more fish. If the fish in possession were under the 9"
size limit for the tribs, they would be in violation unless they could prove
that those shorter fish were caught at the Gravel Pit in compliance with the
size limit there.

2> An angler catches 5 trout on the tribs and then goes to the Gravel Pit. He
should be able to take 3 more fish but the burden would be on them to prove
that they were not all caught at the Gravel Pit and that they were not over
their possession limit.

The best solution for these would be not to put yourself in the situation in
the first place. Taking the fish caught on the tribs home before going to
another water area is probably the best bet. If visiting from out of town,
taking them to one of the official fish cleaning stations is another option.
In many cases, officers have never met you and aren't aware that you perhaps
have never broken a law in your lifetime. In only minutes they have to make a
decision as to whether a violation has occurred based on their experience,
instinct, and evidence in front of them. Using some common sense and
thinking how things would look will make these encounters more pleasant for
everyone involved.

CONGRATULATIONS …
Michael Clement will be receiving the Eagle Scout Award on April 1st. He is
the son of PFBC Deputy Nick Clement and his wife Heidi. His Eagle Scout
Project was the gravel trail from the roadway to the Walnut Creek Project
Waters. This replaced what used to be a slippery clay trail and has made
access so much safer for thousands of anglers. Congratulations to Michael
from all of us in the Fish & Boat Commission.

PUBLIC MEETING…
On Monday, March 19th 2001, officials of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission met with local sports club Representatives and anglers to invite
public comment as to proposed regulations by Pennsylvania to assist in Lake
Erie walleye rehabilitation efforts. The following is a list of changes being
made by other states.


Pre Rehabilitation
Post Rehabilitation

Ohio: 10 walleye/day 4
walleye/day (Spring)
No minimum size limit 6
walleye/day (Summer)
No closed season

Michigan: 10 walleye/day 6
walleye/day
13" minimum size limit
No Closed season

New York: 5 walleye/day 4
walleye/day
15" minimum size limit
Closed season in the Spring

Ontario: 5 walleye/day (West) West: 4
walleye/day (Spring), 6 walleye/day (Summer
4 walleye/day (East) East: 4
walleye/day
No minimum size limit Season
Closure in Sanctuaries

The proposal of Pennsylvania is essentially to close walleye fishing in Lake
Erie during the Spring spawn period until the first Friday in May to mirror
Pa. Inland Regulations currently in effect. The regulation if adopted, would
take effect in 2002. This closed season will be a proportionate contribution
by comparison to the remaining states and Ontario. It would also save a
portion of the larger brood stock that typically make up this catch.
Commissioner Concilla's efforts for conservation were well supported at the
public forum and the Lake Erie Research Unit staff made an informative
presentation.

PYMATUMING REPORT by WCO Joe Russell / Western Crawford County…
Currently the fishing in Pymatuming has picked up greatly, with walleye
averaging 16" to 20" inches, and quite a few over the 24" mark. Most of the
fish being taken have been from boats at the north end of the lake around the
Manning launch area. The majority have been in 14 to 17 feet of water using
chartreuse single tail jigs and tipping them with minnows. Jigging type
blade baits such as the Sonar blades will work well too. Folks are also
doing well off the spillway after dark using the same bait. Crappie and
perch have also picked up but are in slightly shallower water with perch
going 6 to 10 inches and crappie about the same.



DWCO Randy Leighton
PA. Fish and Boat Commission
Western Erie County
Rglerie@aol.com

WCO John Bowser
Pa. Fish & Boat Commission
Western Erie County
jwb014@aol.com





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