Erie Weekly WCO Report by WCO John Bowser & DWCO Randy Leighton Steelhead… Progression up the tributaries has been limited with upper reaches as follows: · Walnut – fish are present up to the Railroad Tube Hole south of Rt. 5 · Elk – Small amounts found at the Girard Boro Park with heavier concentrations at the downstream railroad tubes · Crooked – in the first hole adjacent to the lake (access this area only from the shoreline/beach area as the roadway is private) · Raccoon – a few observed under the bridge adjacent to the park but low water levels persist · 20 Mile – heavy concentrations south of Rt. 5 to the iron bridge · 4 Mile – spotty runs by the fishing club (depends on the time of day & water conditions) · 12 & 16 Mile – (no fish observed) Heaviest concentrations of fish & anglers are at the access areas of Elk (West Side) & Walnut Creek Best bets to get fish and get away from the crowds: ... Railroad tubes on Walnut (be sure not to block any road access with your vehicle) ... Shoreline fishing at Raccoon & Crooked Creek trib mouths ... PFBC Access Parking Lot on the east side of Elk Creek upstream to Rt. 5 Enforcement… Officers continue to try to keep on top of things and are receiving supplemental assistance from WCO’s downstate. By the sheer numbers, it is obvious that not all violations will be detected. Sportsmen are welcome to supply information on anyone breaking the rules and to help keep the playing field level for everyone. A number of anglers have reported the keeping foul hooked fish or double limit taking without supplying vehicle or clothing descriptions. These reports usually come in days after the occurrence and are akin to telling a State Trooper that cars are exceeding the speed limit on I-79. Policing our own ranks will assure continued public access and provide opportunities for true sportsmen to have fish to try for. Western Crawford WCO Report by WCO Joe Russell Pymatuning Lake-Walleye are being caught in good numbers this week from the South end of the lake, with one lucky angler catching a nice 30" from the wall of the dam. Most of the fish still seem to be in 8' to 10' of water and if you are shore fishing a floating jig head with a minnie seems to be working real well. A near tragedy was averted this weekend when two canoeist tipped there canoe over while duck hunting and had to swim to shore. Luckily they were both wearing their lifejackets and all that was lost was a shotgun. Remember COLD WATER KILLS and lifejackets are like seat belts they don't work if you don't wear them. Conneaut Lake-fishing has been real good here this week with big CRAPPIE and WHITE BASS being taken. The spot to be seems to be off firemen's beach in about 18' to 20' of water. Duck hunting has picked up here since Saturdays opening day and hunters are reminded that you can have a safety zone violation even if you are on the water. Be sure you are far enough away from peoples houses before you shoot, because a duck isn't worth someone getting hurt. Hartstown Swamp- As most of you know this body of water was drained down this summer by the Game Commission to try to kill some of the Purple Loosestrife and Spatterdock. It was recently checked and found that it is working but not as quickly as they would have liked. It will remain drained over the winter to try to freeze out some of the roots of these less than desirable plants and to see how it is doing next year. The good news is that when it was checked, there were 27 new plant species there that were not present before that are beneficial to shorebirds and waterfowl.
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