Erie WCO Fishing Report / September 2001
WCO John W. Bowser & DWCO Randy Leighton
Western Erie County World Class
With a variable smorgasbord of fishing opportunities right now, the Erie area
can truly be called a world class fishing area. Walleye, Perch, Bass,
Channel cats, Crappie and Trout including Steelhead, Browns, and Coho give
anglers the opportunity to target almost anything they wish this time of
year. Area crowds should be large in the upcoming months, especially with
the overlap of good fishing opportunities. September 22nd is a "Fish for
Free" day (No fishing license required on that day only) As is often
said..."The fishing is so good in Erie you don't even need bait !" Steelhead ... 'tis the season
Steelhead, along with a fair number of Coho Salmon and some Browns have
visibly begun to move into some of the tribs. As of this writing (8/28)
there were 12+ in Manchester Hole, a few scattered through the Project
Waters, & a fair number taken off the wall (one was 12#) Anglers are already
trying their luck along the wall at Walnut Creek with success both during the
day and at night but clear water & bright sun will lower success rates in
midday. Numbers have been increasing daily and with a little rainfall we
should be in full swing. Shoreline anglers have also been spotted at Trout
Run. Cleos and Powerbait seem to be the early choices of bait at night.
When water levels are low and clear, light lines and small presentations are
a necessity for success during the day. Emerald shiners (live and salted) can
be a hot bait this time of year. Fly anglers are having good luck as well
with a variety of offerings. Wooly Buggers seem to be a favorite lure.
Anglers should be aware that the regulations on trout change September 4th.
Be sure to read your summary book for the Fall Regulations. A Trout/Salmon
Stamp on your license is required for Steelhead, Salmon & all Trout species. Walnut Creek Access Area News…
Fish Fry / Cooking Demonstration … will be held September 9th @ 5:00 PM. As
the boating season winds down, anglers will be bringing fillets of Walleye &
Yellow Perch to share with fellow anglers. PFBC employees & volunteer
sportsmen will be breading and cooking fish for the public. All are invited,
just bring along some fillets, snacks, covered dish, dessert, rolls, or
"whatever" to share. For specific needs, you can view the sign-up sheet in
the Lobby or contact either the access @ 833-2464 or WCO Bowser @ 774-0928. Engraved Paving Blocks are available through order forms located on the
bulletin board in the lobby. A 4"x 8" granite block is $50.00 & an 8"x 8" is
$100.00. These will be placed on a wall located just to the north of the
launch ramp area and is a great way to leave your name or that of a loved one
for future generations. Boaters should be aware that the Walnut Creek channel to the Lake is
averaging only about 3' . A sandbar has formed in the mouth at center
channel. The lack of rain combined with wind and waves at the mouth has
created the shallow conditions. Boaters are advised to monitor their depth
finders carefully and use caution when entering and exiting the channel. As
a courtesy to wall anglers, boaters are asked to give 1 blast of their horn
when entering and exiting the channel to remind anglers to move their lines. PARKING... With the overlap of Steelhead and Walleye season, parking at
Walnut Creek will be crowded. Anglers should note a number of new "no
parking signs" at Walnut Creek, especially along the Creek itself and the
grass areas. Parking is not permitted anywhere along Manchester Road.
Anglers wanting to fish the Project waters or the Manchester Hole are
required to park at the Walnut Access lot. A side note...Parking along Route
5 near Elk Creek is no longer permitted due to angler vehicles overhanging
the road and causing bottlenecks and several near accidents. Vehicles parked
along route 5 in this area are subject to being towed away. Stop Signs at the Walnut Creek Access area
Enforcement will again be heightened as anglers take to the Project Waters of
Walnut Creek. Anglers leaving the stream cross the roadway at the
intersection and near misses have been numerous in the past. Many small
children cross there unsupervised while running back to the car for a soda or
snack. The fine & costs for running through the stop sign is $61.50.
Boat Traffic in the Walnut Creek Channel
Boaters have the absolute right of way over angler's lines. The burden to
assure that lines do not interfere with boat traffic rests solely on the wall
angler. Fishing line can cause extensive damage to a boat's outdrive or lower
unit. The fine and costs for having a line impede boat navigation is $61.50.
If you believe that you will have a problem removing lines from the path of
a boat, it is recommended that you perhaps fish with only one rod and save
the second one for late at night or rough water days when boat traffic is at
a minimum. General Behavior while at the Walnut Creek Access Area
Fishing is a wholesome family past time. The goal of the Erie Officers is to
assure that people can bring their wives and children to enjoy the Steelhead
Fishery without fear of having them exposed to less than proper behavior.
Foul language, public drunkenness, threats, physical confrontations, etc.,
will not be tolerated. I have often stated that "Walnut Creek is like
Disneyland for anglers." If you have a problem, contact an officer or report
it to the office staff. Walleye
Walleye continue to be caught regularly in the "Triangle" area. The loran
coordinates most people report are '890 & '290. Boats in that area usually
have 12-15 walleye. Other anglers not making the 21-mile run are having
moderate success rates closer to shore but the schools of fish are in tight
pockets. If you pick one fish up, mark the area and go back over it. Yellow Perch
Perch limits averaging 11-12" are still being caught directly off of Walnut
Creek about 3 miles. The school off of Seagull Point has a good many fish
but the size is somewhat smaller. September is usually the prime month for
the Perch but we can't imagine the fishing getting much better. Bass
Fall Bass fishing in Erie can be spectacular. Trolling the near shore in 20
to 25' of water to locate schools and then drifting using spinners and salted
tube jigs is the ticket. Presque Isle bay is hot right now for both smallies
and largemouth bass. Shore line anglers at Presque Isle will have good luck
near the Chestnut Street launch along the Bayfront Highway, the channel
entering Marina Bay and anywhere along Misery Bay near the monument at the
end of the Presque Isle. South Pier @ Erie Channel …
Crappies have turned on and anglers are filling buckets. Nice Jumbo Perch
are occasionally mixed in. A white jig dropped down with no weight has been
producing the best results. Weighted crappie or perch rigs outfitted with
Emerald shiners will do the job as well. WCO John W. Bowser
Jwb014@aol.com
DWCO Randy G. Leighton
Rglerie@aol.com
Western Crawford County Report - WCO Joe Russell
Pymatuning Lake continues to be low due to the lack of rain recently. To
date it is about 1 1/2 feet below normal summer pool, and according to
several of the boat rentals at the marinas a lot of damage has been done to
lower units recently. Warm water species are doing fairly well with bass and
bluegill being the most caught. They seem to be spread out pretty good
though so if you find structure with fish keep working it. Fishermen and
boaters should also be aware that as of September 9th the Jamestown livery
will be closed due to upgrades by the State Park to improve the marina. The
entire bay area will be closed to dredge the bottom and replace the docks.
Boats will have to be removed from there slips by then and no gas will be
sold after that date so you should plan accordingly. Espyville and
Linesville marinas should still be open for a while.
Conneaut Lake had a bass tournament with several fish being caught however
in talking with the fishermen, they had to work for them and none were
records. Assortment seemed to be the key with tube jigs taking the lead as
the most preferred lure. Bluegills and bowfin are still fairly active and
being caught on a regular basis as well. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) have scheduled a public meeting
to receive comments on requested changes to boating horsepower limits at
some state park lakes. The lakes include Yellow creek in Indiana County,
Codorus in York County, Maurice K. Goddard in Mercer County, Moraine in
Butler County, Nockamixon in Bucks County, Prince Gallitzin in Cambria
County, and Pymatuning in Crawford County. Written comments will also be
accepted for up to 30 days
after the meeting. You should send comments to Gary Smith, Chief, Park
Operations and Maintenance, Bureau of State Parks, Rachel Carson Office
Building, PO Box 8767, Harrisburg Pa. 17105-8767. If you have an opinion or
comment I would urge you to express it in this forum because once it is
over, and a ruling is made, it will be to late to complain. WCO Joe Russell
fishcop16@hotmail.com
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