Bass Attack: Bass continue to be the story in and around Presque Isle Bay. In spite of recent inclement weather, bass anglers have been invading the bay hunting for that trophy or perhaps even a record. Officers have observed a large presence of huge bass clearing the water while feeding about 30 to 50' off of the third parking lot on Presque Isle Park. It appears that they could be caught from shore or by wading. (WCO Bowser saw one jump just out from the small boat launch that he swears would be a record.) Tube jigs, Slingos, and Gizzit baits have been hot along with dual blade spinner baits with chartreuse trailers. Live shiners can be productive and often will land an occasional pike as well. Remember, Smallmouth & Largemouth Bass in Presque Isle & Lake Erie must be a minimum of 20" and one is the limit until regular season starts on June 14th when it becomes 4 Bass with a minimum size of 15". The Bay... Pan fishing has been good in Misery bay around the Perry monument and all along the city side of the bay. Anglers have also been doing well on the North and South piers with perch and rock bass. Carp are actively spawning in the lagoons and Horseshoe Pond. Only a Fishing License is required to take them with a bow... no hunting license or archery stamp is needed. All fish must be properly disposed of if killed. Perch schools: Perch continue to be schooling in 48 to 50' of water north of Seagull point. A good numbers of boats have been observed almost daily after their limit of Lake Erie's prized delicacy. "Perching" is a great way to spend a day on the lake and can provide a more relaxed style of fishing. As always, anglers, are allowed a maximum of 2 poles. Rigging each pole with 6 LB line and a "perch or crappie rig" (available at any local bait shop) is the ticket. Bait the hooks with live shiners. If the shiners are large, cutting them in half will work better and extend your bait supply. Fish the rig off the bottom giving it an occasional jigging motion. If you run out of shiners, the eyes from the perch you've caught make excellent bait. Keep your catch iced down and clean them as soon as you reach the point of consumption. You wont find much better eating anywhere at any price. Everyone has a favorite recipe for fish, however the following tips can be helpful. 1) Fresh fish is best. If you are able to enjoy at least part of your catch before freezing, it will taste better. If you are freezing your fish, pat it dry and double wrap it. I personally do not believe in freezing whole fish in ice. Fish frozen in ice may become water logged as it thaws which will adversely affect cooking and taste. (Freezing fillets in ice will however, keep fish fresh longer in the freezer.) 2) Be extremely careful not to overcook the fish. Fish are delicate. Do not cook your fillets too long or at too high a temperature. This will make the fish tough and rubbery. Cook the fish only until it flakes easily at the touch of a fork. Fish cooks much faster than most people realize. 3) If you are going to batter fry the fish, always make sure the batter is cold and the fish are patted dry. Cold batter will prevent the fish from absorbing too much oil. Also, make sure the oil is hot. This can be done by dropping in a small piece of bread or batter in. It should brown within a minute. 4) To keep fried fish crispier while cooking, put the cooked fish in a warm oven on a wire rack over a paper towel-lined plate. 5) Never be afraid to experiment with different recipes. Try changing the seasonings to the liking of your personal taste. 6) Spend the extra time making sure no bones remain in your fillets. Nothing puts off the appetite more quickly than finding bones in your fish. (Just ask my wife and kids) 7) Leftover fish? Cut it into bite sized pieces and add it to a salad or have it cold with cocktail sauce. 8) Try the microwave if you're dieting. Fish cooks quickly and tastes great with just lemon juice and seasoning. Watch the fish carefully, the micro cooks it quick. 9) Basting lean fish such as walleye and bass when broiling will help keep them from drying out. What is a Burbot? One lucky angler caught himself a beautiful Burbot over the holiday weekend while perch fishing off the point (see picture below). These colorful fish are most often caught by accident in the spring when they come in to shallow water to spawn. Burbot or also known as: Eelpout, Ling, or Freshwater Cod, are the only strictly freshwater species of the cod family found in North America. They inhabit large lakes, reservoirs, and small and large rivers (usually in the coldest, deepest water available). They are found throughout the Great Lakes and are common in Lake Erie. Burbot prefer to be near the bottom in areas of low light intensity. Spawning occurs during winter and early spring when water temperatures is about 35-40 degrees F. at night in shallow bays over sand or gravel bottom. Burbot are often confused with catfish because of the shape of their heads however, their speckled coloring is very distinctive. They can also be identified by one distinct barbel or "whisker" under the chin. Burbot are great table fair (WCO Bowser's favorite) and can be poached, baked, broiled, or fried. If you wish to try some, the commercial trapnet fisherman, Jerry Mathers has some fresh ones at his store on East 6th Street. Law enforcement: Boaters are reminded to obey the minimum wake regulations. Slow no wake means the minimum throttle required to keep your boat on a straight course. These areas include within 100 yards of shore. Within 100 feet of swimming areas, docks, and downed skiers and in all marked areas. No wake areas around Presque Isle bay are 500' and also include Marina bay, it's entrance & Misery bay. Areas are also marked around Dobbin's Landing and the main channel connecting the Bay and the Lake Erie. Boat operators are responsible any wake they cause and any damage that may result from it. DWCO Randy Leighton & WCO John W. Bowser PA. Fish and Boat Commission Western Erie County Rglerie@aol.com & jwb014@aol.com
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