Conditions
High water levels and good precipitation last week have brought large numbers
of fresh fish into the tribs and it looks like the spring runs continue.
Temperatures predicted in the 40's and possible 50's this week should burn
off the recent snow and keep water levels up while more precipitation is
forecasted for the end of the week. There is still a large amount of loose
ice drifting about the lake making shoreline conditions tough to predict. A
North wind can lock the ice against our lakeshore however; a change in wind
direction can eliminate it in a matter of hours. Where:
The Walnut Project waters and the Manchester Hole up and into the chutes area
are loaded with fresh fish. Many fish are observed in the 10# and up
weights. Conditions at Elk are similar although the fish are spread out.
Upper Elk at the Legion Park holes, the Girard Park area, Struechen Flats,
and the Whiteman's bridge area are all great hot spots now.
Reports of perch being caught off the North pier continue and the crappie
have started hitting in Misery Bay. Fresh fish are reported having come into
16 & 20 Mile Creeks but no confirmation of this report has been made by
officers yet. What to use:
Spring baits are the ticket. Egg sacs are popular now and can be purchased
"pre-tied" at all the local bait shops. Pieces of skein and minnows, both
salted and fresh will work well also. If conditions clear, single eggs can be
tried. Sucker spawn fly patterns are popular now as the suckers begin to
enter the tribs over the next month. Nymphs and streamers can work for the
fly anglers. Anglers can have good luck with night crawlers at times as
well. Black jigs with a silver or gold sparkle tipped with maggots were the
hottest lure this last weekend at the Walnut Basin. Smolt Plantings:
Young Steelhead and Salmon have been planted in the West County. Raccoon and
Crooked Creeks were stocked at the lowest bridges…. Walnut has been receiving
fish at the Millcreek Mall … Elk has had some plantings at I-79. These are
the fish of the future. Care should be used in unhooking to lower mortality
rates. If in an area concentrated with these fish, you should change
locations. Picture of the week…
Crooked Creek is also producing good catches and is not as crowded as the
primary tribs. Signs marking the Nursery water areas at Crooked have been
reposted to replace those that were torn down and should be observed. (Note
the unlucky angler in the photo that was fishing in Nursery Waters when the
photo was being taken to accompany this report. He and his companion on the
other side of the creek had their fishing interrupted momentarily to do some
expensive paperwork with WCO Bowser.)
With the heavy crowds returning, we would like to remind anglers entering
Walnut Access area to make an extra effort to bring their vehicles to a
complete stop at the posted stop signs. This is a critical area of safety
with the large amount of foot traffic...especially the youngsters. The
safety of the aquatic resource and its users is a primary concern of the Fish
and Boat Commission. The time saved by failing to stop is not worth the danger
to pedestrian traffic, other vehicles or the fine that will go with a
citation.
Please take a moment to police the area around fishing spot before you leave
and deposit the trash in the proper container. It will make you feel good and
set an example for those around you. WCO John W. Bowser
Pa. Fish & Boat Commission
Western Erie County
814-774-0928
jwb014@aol.com
and
Randy Leighton
Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer
PA. Fish and Boat Commission
West Erie County
Rglerie@aol.com
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