Erie WCO Fishing Report … June 2001
WCO John Bowser & DWCO Randy Leighton FISH-FOR-FREE DAYS
June 2 and September 22, 2001
Mark these dates on your calendar...Saturday, June 2 and Saturday,
September 22, 2001, and plan to take a friend fishing. These are free
fishing days in Pennsylvania; no fishing license is needed to fish on either
of these two days. It's a great way to introduce a friend or relative to the
lifelong sport of fishing. It's a good time - and a fun way - to spend a day
with the entire family. Remember that all other regulations apply, but no
fishing license is needed. Take advantage of this opportunity. You'll be
glad you did! OFFICIAL DESIGNATION…
The Commissioners at their meeting May 6 and 7 designated the Mallory Run
Project, Big Conneauttee Creek, Erie County as an exclusive-use fishing area
for children and special populations. PUBLIC MEETING…
On June 19, 2001 from 7 to 9 p.m., a public meeting will be held concerning
the Fish Consumption Advisory, PFBC Infrastructure needs including hatchery
upgrades, and upcoming trout reductions for 2002. The meeting will be held at
the Pitcarin Monroeville Sportsmen's Club. DIRECTIONS: From Northwest Pa.,
travel south on I-79 to the Pa. Turnpike; Pa. Turnpike east to the
Monroeville Exit; at the first red light on Rt. 22 West (intersection with
Rt. 48), turn left onto Rt. 48 South and travel five miles to the club. NORTH EAST MARINA…
The marina has come a long way in the past few years. Presently they are
offering 14-foot Mirrocraft boats equipped with 9.9 Mercury 4 stroke engines
for rental at $12 per hour with a four-hour minimum. The gas is included in
the price. With the rapid depth drop in that area, boaters can hit the
deeper water very close to the shoreline. This will permit many anglers who
don't own boats the opportunity to sample the world-class bass fishery
available in that area. Their phone number is (814) 725-8244 or you can check
them out on the web at www.northeastmarina.com. YELLOW PERCH…
Many anglers are having great success in 48 feet of water off of Gull Point.
Recent inspections of catches brought into "The Last Fisherman" for filleting
(located on East Sixth Street just several blocks from East Avenue) have
shown a very nice average size. LAKE ERIE FACTS…
· It is the 11th largest lake in the world (by surface area), the fourth
largest of the Great Lakes in surface area, and the smallest by volume.
· Wind setups (wind pushing the water from one end of the lake toward the
other), usually from west to east, have produced large short-term differences
in water levels at the eastern and western ends of the lake, the record being
more than 16 feet.
· Lake Erie is the warmest and most biologically productive of the Great
Lakes and the Lake Erie walleye fishery is widely considered the best in the
world. LOW WATER LEVELS…
Ninety-five percent of Lake Erie's total inflow of water comes via the
Detroit River water from all the "upper lakes" -- Superior, Michigan and
Huron -- the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair and numerous tributaries. The
rest comes from precipitation. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes
and is especially vulnerable to fluctuating water levels. Get ready for
another summer of bigger beaches - and banged-up boats. Low last year, Lake
Erie looks to be even lower this year. Even the record-breaking snow won't
help: most of that snow was lake effect, meaning it was water in the lake
before it was snow on the ground. Low precipitation and high evaporation
usually drive down Lake levels. Experts don't know if another factor - global
warming - is playing any part in the current situation. The Army Corps of
Engineers' latest forecast has the lake six to seven inches lower than last
year; already the lake is 11 inches below its long-term average. Western Crawford County … WCO Joe Russell
The walleye run in Pymatuming Lake has started to slow down this last week,
probably because of all the great weather we have been having. No real rain
to speak of in over a week. All the walleye caught seem to be from
boats drifting suspended worms. The number of short fish cases has
drastically increased also; it seems that if guys aren't catching big fish
they keep the small ones. Personally, a 14 1/2-inch fish isn't worth $81.50.
Bass, crappies and perch seem to be still doing well though and are being
caught in the shallower warmer water. An often overlooked fish that is a lot
of fun to catch and has been biting well this last week is the carp. The new
handicap accessible fishing pier at the Linesville marina seems to be doing
really well for catfish at night fishing the bottom. Yesterday a boat was
checked that had limited out on nice big walleye, but they had fished all day
in the rain. Hopefully, the rain they predicted for the rest of the week will
help the fishing again. Conneaut Lake has started to pick up with 16- to 19-inch bass being caught
around docks and structures using spinner baits and rubber worms. Crappie,
bluegill and perch are also being caught, however, they are nothing like the
size they are getting in Pymatuming. Another fish that seems to be getting
caught on a regular basis is the bowfin. What the public needs to remember is
that these fish are not monsters or aggressive to the point of "chasing me
down the dock," as I was told by a fisherman this week. They are not eating
all the other fish in the lake and they are on the candidate species list for
threatened and endangered species because of there so few numbers. If you
happen to catch one, it needs to be immediately returned to the water
unharmed. The recent musky tournament held this last Saturday yielded only
two fish for all the contestants, so there are definitely more out there to
catch.
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