WCO Report for Erie and Crawford County 10/16/01: Erie area, PA,
Fishing Report Posted: October 17, 2001

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Posted by WCO John Bowser on October 17, 2001 at 01:36:22:

Western Erie County ... WCO John Bowser & DWCO Randy Leighton

Response to recent Steelhead Angler questions / comments / suggestions ...
Many suggestions and comments have recently been given to officers in the field concerning problems with Steelhead season. I have always been proud of my agency's responsiveness to customer input. Restrictions often will slow the reaction to this input, and outside factors beyond officers' and the agency's control prevent an "ideal" from being reached. The following is an update on PFBC action addressing current issues:

Portable Toilets:
Problem: Weekend crowds fill them to capacity leaving them in bad/unusable condition until next scheduled cleaning. Anglers dumping trash in the toilets.
Immediate Action: Cleaning schedule will be increased to twice/week. Additional weekend hours to be added to the marina office building.
Long Term Solution: Toilets are under current contract until the end of the calendar year. New contract will include biweekly cleaning and additional toilet units in place during the busy seasons.

Dumpsters / Trash Barrels:
Problem: Streamside litter ... Past efforts of additional "No Littering" signs and trash barrels have been proven as ineffective. A slob that is going to leave litter will not be deterred from a sign.
"Trash barrels" become an "area" to litter in. More than one weekend has seen a trash barrel fill and litter piled around it in a 15-foot-diameter circle. High winds common to our area then scatter the trash directly back into the waters.
Immediate action: Placement of plainclothes officers in identified problem areas specifically watching for litter violations.
Long Term Solution: The 2002 contract for trash removal will supply additional dumpsters strategically located around Walnut Access. A heightened degree of public involvement is required to keep the streams clean. Logically, if the number of people were concerned about litter and carried back trash from the stream was greater than the number of people who actually litter... then all the areas would be clean. A small dumpster will be placed by the entrance to the access making it convenient for sportsmen to deposit any trash accumulated in the upstream areas. Officers will also be carrying litter bags to distribute to those wishing to help keep our waterways clean.

Additional improvements will be the granting of vendor permits for the sale of coffee and sandwiches at the access. This will be tried soon on an experimental basis. The marina office will be receiving Internet access for e-mail inquiries as to fishing conditions as well as a digital camera for photos.

Steelhead fishing...
has been relatively good in the lower stretches even with the low water conditions. Look for good runs with every 1-inch-plus of rainfall. Local information may be acquired by phoning the Walnut Creek Access at 814-833-2464 or one of the local bait shops. Many Internet sites also carry daily updated info.
Elk Creek currently has fish up above Rt. 20, Walnut has them up to the RR Tubes, 20 Mile to the Iron Bridge south of Rt. 5, and 4 Mile Creek to the falls. No reports received on 12 and 16 Mile Creeks yet.

Steelhead smolts have been stocked at the Ables Road Bridge on Crooked Creek and at the Old Lake Road Bridge on Raccoon Creek. Use caution releasing these fish if caught as they are future trophies.

Violations...
It has been a busy weekend for officers. More than 30 violations, which included netting, snagging, over the limit, litter, PFD's, stop sign violations, fishing to close to the Mouth of Trout Run between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., and using PFBC Property for other than the intended use, were addressed. (In nearly all cases, the recipients of these actions did not bother to read their Summary Books)

Vehicle Break-ins...
Fish and Boat Commission Officers have been working in conjunction with PSP Troopers in an effort to catch those reponsible for breaking into angler's vehicles and stealing equipment. Any helpful information may be passed either to WCO Bowser at 814-774-0928 or PSP Girard Station at 814-774-9611.

Western Crawford County - WCO Joe Russell

Pymatuning Lake- Due to the inclement weather this week, not too many anglers have ventured out. But those who have, have done well. Walleye are still being caught at the south end of the lake from shore and boat if you brave the elements. The good news is that we finally have gotten some much-needed rain. The lake is at high 50s to low 60s for temps right now and the fish are active in 5 to 10 feet of water. If you are boating, be extra careful because all the aids to navigation (buoys) were pulled last Thursday for the winter so the shoals aren’t marked anymore. For those of you who get your bait here, you should know also that RICHTERS bait store recently burnt down and they are not in business right now.

Conneaut Lake- Bass are doing real well for dedicated anglers this week with a lot of smallmouths being caught. Anglers who I would trust told me this, but they were all catch and release so I didn’t actually see the fish. Bluegill, Crappie and White Bass are also still being caught. Most of the success has been with bait (minnies, shiners and worms), but some guys are doing well with lures, too.

Several duck hunters that were checked by myself this week had no idea where their wearable personal flotation devices were in the boat. The rules are the same as boating in the summer and READILY ACCESSIBLE is the LAW. It is not a bad idea to also be wearing it in this cold weather as hypothermia can kill quickly.





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