Western Crawford / WCO Joe Russell
Pymatuning Lake- Walleye were being caught from boats on Saturday by some die hard fishermen who went out first thing in the morning and fished all day until they were checked by me at sunset. Out of 4 boats 2 had fish one had a 19 incher and the other had 2 15 inchers. Both reported the fish were taken at about 16 feet of water and both were using sonars when they got lucky. Crappies and perch were also being caught on Saturday at both the spillway and the rock wall in front of the entrance to the Game Commission Museum parking lot. The preferred bait seemed to be floating a minnie under a bobber. Since Saturday and with the storm and cold front that came through with it the fish have shut right off and I haven't seen any fish taken in the last 3 days. The hatchery just started setting trap nets in the main lake on Monday and after only one day and 8 nets being set they were able to catch 55 walleye and 5 musky, as well as some other species. 85% of the catch were 15 inches with the largest measuring 19". The musky were much larger with the size ranging from 33 inches to 391/2 inches. I also spoke to the state park and as of Friday all boat docks should be in for easier access and quite a few of the restroom facilities are open. The question of Horsepower limit was also decided on and I have included a copy of the news release below. N E W S R E L E A S E - COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
PILOT PROGRAM ALTERS HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS FOR BOATING AT SIX STATE PARK LAKES HARRISBURG (March 14) -- On behalf of Gov. Mark Schweiker, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary John C. Oliver today announced changes to boating horsepower limits at six state park lakes as part of a pilot program seeking better enforcement and better protection of the environment. “Outboard motor limits are increased from 10 horsepower to 18 horsepower at six state park lakes following intensive study by Bureau of State Parks officials, and extensive comment from boaters and anglers across the state,” Secretary Oliver said. The pilot program is effective immediately at the following state park lakes: Lake Marburg, Codorus State Park, York County; Lake Wilhelm, Maurice K. Goddard State Park, Mercer County; Lake Arthur, Moraine State Park, Butler County; Lake Nockamixon, Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County; Glendale Lake, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Cambria County; and Yellow Creek Lake, Yellow Creek State Park, Indiana County. With the exception of Yellow Creek, all lakes involved in the pilot program are larger than 1,000 acres. Lake Pymatuning at Pymatuning State Park, Crawford County, also is targeted for a 10- to 18-horsepower increase, but not before the needed approval in joint legislative action by Pennsylvania and neighboring Ohio.“It is important to keep in mind that these changes are part of a pilot project and may not be permanent,” Secretary Oliver said. “Managers at each of the affected parks will closely monitor their lakes for signs of increased shoreline erosion or other adverse effects. There will be no personal watercraft allowed, nor water skiing or recreational towing of any type.”Park officials at the affected lakes say boaters routinely circumvented posted 10-horsepower limits by altering carburetion systems, or displaying 10-horsepower motor covers on motors that actually were more powerful.Outboard motors larger than 18 horsepower may be attached to boats used in all state park lakes, but they can be operated only in those lakes approved for unlimited horsepower.“The ‘status quo’ at these lakes is not changing," Secretary Oliver said. “Now we will have the capability to enforce the posted horsepower limit on motors being used to propel watercraft. Because of their noticeably larger size, motors exceeding 18 horsepower can be spotted more easily by law enforcement officers.”Throughout a series of public meetings held across the state in the summer of 2001, a recurring issue raised by park visitors was present horsepower limits on some of the state park lakes. DCNR and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) then hosted a public meeting on the issue in Harrisburg last fall.The PFBC has adopted general and special boating regulations applicable to Commonwealth waters. At DCNR’s request, the PFBC has in the past established special boating regulations for state park lakes. These regulations maintained unlimited horsepower at seven state park lakes; motors not larger than 10 horsepower at the seven state park lakes where the test program is now in effect; and electric motors only at 35 state park lakes.“The Fish and Boat Commission defers to DCNR with respect to horsepower regulations on state parks lakes, and we support the proposed pilot program,” said PFBC Executive Director Peter Colangelo. “The Commission will pursue appropriate amendments to its special regulations and, in the meantime, we will defer to DCNR with regard to enforcement of horsepower limits. Written comment on the horsepower pilot program can be sent to Gary Smith, Chief, Park Operations and Maintenance, Bureau of State Parks, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 8551, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8551. For more information on boating and other features at Pennsylvania's state parks, call 1-888-PA-PARKS or visit the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: “state parks.” For details on boating regulations, safety classes, public access areas and registering watercraft, visit the Fish and Boat Commission’s website at www.fish.state.pa.us. # # # Conneaut Lake- Crappies, Perch, and Blue gills were being caught on the northern end of the lake by fishermen in the canal. The bait of choice here was varied from minnies, mealworms, and jigs but all were being floated under a bobber. These fish have also shut down since the last cold front came through and it doesn't look like it will be getting much better with highs in the 20's predicted for Friday.
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