WCO Report for Erie County 04/29/2009: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: April 28, 2009

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on April 28, 2009 at 21:21:34:

April 29th, 2009

West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert

Conditions:

As the spring steelhead season winds down, area anglers know that Erie offers plenty of other action as one season just blends in to the next. Bass fishing has been good and high speed bass boats have already been invading Presque Isle Bay searching for trophy fish.
Crappie fishing around Presque Isle has been hot with catches fair to good this past weekend, depending on who you talk to.. Good areas to try have been off the second and third parking lots on Presque Isle. Shiners and a variety of small tube jigs have been pulling them in. Perch fishing off the North and South Piers along the Erie Channel has been fair to good at times with a number of jumbos pulled in. Shiners fished off the bottom on perch rigs are the ticket.

With this weeks in season trout stockings, the lower areas of Elk Creek, Crooked Creek, and the Upper Gravel Pit Pond in Fairview will be good choices for stockies. Anglers have been having good luck at the Gravel Pit Pond with shiners and red worms.

Lake Erie water temperature off Toledo is 52 degrees, off Cleveland, 47 degrees and off the Port of Erie, 51 degrees

Walnut Creek Access Information:
The Walnut Creek Access office will be open full time beginning this Sunday May 2nd. Hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sundays 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The docks and launch ramps are now in at the marina however, boaters are again advised that the Walnut Creek Channel entering the Lake has not as of this writing been dredged. Anglers exiting and entering the channel are advised to stay close to the East wall and use extreme caution due to shallow water and possible hull or prop damage.

Shoreline Fishing at Night for Walleye:
Walleye season opens on May 2nd and early season anglers will be trying their luck along the shorelines near the Walnut access area and Trout and Godfrey runs. The jettys just east of the Walnut Creek Channel are the most popular spots at night. Resident walleye often will come in close to shore after sunset in search of stocked smolts and shiners. Patient anglers can cash in with a little skill and finesse. It is arguable how successful anglers are with these early season walleye, but be assured we have observed many successful night time outings.

Wading the shoreline or fishing from shore with light line (4 to 6 lb.) using large Rapellas in rainbow, silver, and fire tiger patterns are the ticket. Cast out as far as you can and let the lure rest, giving it an occasional twitch. Patience in and allowing the lure to float motionless at times is critical for success. Typically the strikes are hard and obvious since these "resident" walleye are often the "lunkers". Secrets to success are patience, keeping quiet and not using any light. Successful anglers say even a lit cigarette can scare them away from the shore at night. Calm moon lit evenings and a glass lake surface tend to be the most productive although the action can start shortly after sunset at times.

Boaters often have success as well this time of year staying close to shore and either casting or trolling. Planer boards are almost a must for near shore walleye when trolling. The minimum size is 15 inches with a daily creel limit of 6 fish.

Know Our Area Before You Launch:
Boaters, especially those from out of town that are not familiar with the area should take note of the regulations specific to our area. Although much of the following is marked, boaters should know these regulations. Boats are limited to slow, minimum height swell speed (no wake areas) in the following areas:

Through the Erie Harbor Entrance between the North Pierhead Light (foghorn) and Inter Range Tower.

In the area adjacent to the Erie Public Dock, extending from the Erie Sand and Gravel Company on the West to the Continental Grain Company piers on the East. The restricted area will include the Canal Basin and extend northward to the harbor line (In short, the channel connecting Presque Isle to Lake Erie).

Within the boundaries of Presque Isle State Park, including the waters of Marina and Misery Bays and the waters along the bay and lake shore for a distance of 500 feet from the shore.

Water skiing, other than for the purpose of take off or approach, is prohibited within 500 feet of the shoreline of Presque Isle peninsula.

The anchoring of watercraft in the entrance channel to Horseshoe Pond, Fox Pond, Marina Bay, the Lagoons or the bridge at Misery Bay in a manner that interferes with the public use of these areas or in a manner which creates a hazard to other watercraft is prohibited.

The mooring of boats to any dock, wharf, pier, ship or boat launching facility in a manner that interferes with public use or creates a hazard to other watercraft is prohibited. Boats are prohibited within 100 feet of designated swimming beaches at Presque Isle State Park.

The internal lagoons from Marina Drive Bridge at the West end of the Long Pond through the northern entrance of Graveyard Pond shall be limited non powered watercraft and electric motors only.

Local Weather:

Wednesday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night...Partly cloudy in the evening...then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning...then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Warmer with highs in the upper 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Thursday Night...Showers and thunderstorms likely. Lows in the upper 50s. South winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Friday...Cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the morning... Then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 70. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Friday Night...Showers and thunderstorms likely. Lows around 50. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers in the morning... Then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Cooler with highs in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.

Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs around 60.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 40s.

Monday...Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 60s.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.

Tuesday...Partly sunny. Highs around 60.




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