WCO Report for Erie and Crawford County 12/19/01: Erie area, PA,
Fishing Report Posted: December 19, 2001

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[ Lake Erie & Tributaries Fishing Report ]

Posted by WCO John Bowser on December 19, 2001 at 09:40:07:

Erie WCO Report - WCO John Bowser & DWCO Randy Leighton

Conditions
With the recent heavy rains and predicted precipitation over the next week, the tribs are high, muddy and flowing rapidly. Such conditions dictate extreme caution and most often fishing should be confined to the banks. Hip waders can fill if an angler slips and drowning is a possibility. Catching fish in these conditions can be a challenge but not impossible. Fish will seek the slower moving water along the shoreline or slow moving pools. While anglers are often casting to the center of the tribs, the fish are probably in front of them near the shore. Larger bright colored jigs and egg patterns along with the Powerbaits and colored egg sacs can be successful in these conditions. Darker colored baits seem to do better in muddy water. With water clarity not an issue, line strength can be bumped to 6 or even 8 LB test and increase the chances of landing the larger fish. Typically, the East side tribes will clear earlier than the West side and the upstream stretches are a bit less murky. The Trout Run Marina and the Walnut Creek Access Marina are often quite fishable in these conditions. Presque Isle Bay also provides a large amount of opportunity for a variety of species.

Law enforcement
Weekends are still drawing the crowds and these will continue until freeze over (if it ever occurs). Officers and volunteer Deputies continue to find violations. A recent regulation change addresses poaching. The fine for fishing with an illegal device or method has been doubled from $50.00 to $100.00 plus costs. Illegal devices would include, but not be limited to nets, spears, hands, pitchforks, clubs, feet, rocks, etc... It's often amazing what tactics a poacher will use to catch fish. A past change had provided for an increase in the snagging penalty and this change will address the disparity by bringing the other illegal methods into an identical fine.
Anglers should also be advised that not using public facilities to relieve one's self can be interpreted as littering and could be considered a violation. Use of portable facilities when available and discretion in the remote areas is encouraged. Nothing will get stream access posted faster than a landowner seeing an angler taking care of business in their backyard.

World Class
So often we have said that our area fishery is World Class, and with the sheer numbers of anglers we see, this statement speaks for itself. Officers have noted license plates from Ontario, Florida, California, Louisiana, Virginia, New Jersey, and many other states in our parking areas. Walnut Creek Office personnel field calls from all over the eastern United States asking about license fees, conditions, and fishing and boating regulations. The Internet has provided a new medium to gain information on the opportunities Pennsylvania has to offer.

Thank you...
Officer Bowser and I, along all the PFBC officers along Pennsylvania's North Coast would like to wish everyone a safe and joyous Holiday Season. Your support, communication, and assistance have been a huge part of our success this year and we thank you. In the coming year, we welcome your comments on our reports (pro or con) and will entertain any subjects, questions, or issues that our readers would like to see addressed.

2002 Late Winter Trout Stockings
While just a small part of the Commission's overall stocking efforts, the late Winter Trout Stocking Program is a useful management tool, allowing trout fishing to be extended throughout the year. Fall, winter and late winter programs augment the traditional spring stockings and provide additional opportunities for the state's anglers. Extended Trout Season rules are in effect, permitting anglers to keep up to three trout of seven inches or greater daily. Stocking schedules are subject to change without notice!
Waters included in the program are also open for an additional month of trout fishing. Trout angling is permitted in March on these waters while most other trout-stocked waters close to fishing at the end of February in preparation for the traditional Opening Day of the season.

County Water Area "Week of" Stocking

Erie Lake Pleasant February 18
Erie Upper Gravel Pit February 18
Mercer Shenango River February 11
Warren Chapman Lake January 14
Butler Glade Run Lake December 31
Butler Harbor Acres Lake December 31


Crawford County Report - WCO Joe Russell

Pymatuning Lake- the lake levels are close to being what they should be for
This time of year with all the recent rain. As of this afternoon (Tuesday)
It was a foot below normal summer pool, which is about what they try to
maintain. Boating has been real active with most people launching out of the
Jamestown/Turnersville launch and heading south to the dam area where the
Fish are being caught. Fishermen are doing real well out of boats in the
10-15 foot range catching walleye by jigging chartreuse sonar's. If you are
stuck on shore because your boat is winterized or you do not have a boat,
Don't despair the perch have been biting for shore fishermen off of the dam
using jigs towards evening. The perch are supposed to be good size to in the
10-12 inch range, and quite a few are being caught. Walleye are also still
being caught in the north end of the lake by wading right at sunset and
using lures the best spot seems to be in the Red Cross area (Phelps road on
the park map) The recent warm weather we have been having has allowed the
contractor for the Jamestown marina project to be ahead of schedule, because
he hasn't had to deal with the ice and snow (as of Saturday the lake temp
was 45 degrees). Hopefully the project will be done by the new year, but it
is already taking shape and looks really nice. Be sure to stop in to the
Park office and tell them what a good job they are doing if you are in the
area fishing.

Conneaut Lake- Continues to be under fished and I am having a hard time
finding people to check to find out exactly how they are doing. Boating
traffic continues to be almost nonexistent, if anyone would like to E-mail
me with how they did I would be glad to share that with everyone else.

Shenango River Headwaters- not much activity hear this week because the
water has been really muddy and high due to all the recent rains. I did
check several fishermen this week here after several hours of fishing and
they had no bites at all.

I would like to take a minute to extend a very merry and joyous holiday
season and happy New Year to all the sportsmen and wonderful people that
made my first year in this district such a success. I look forward to
serving the fishing and boating public in the future years to come. Please
be safe over the holidays and I hope to see you on the water. - JOE





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