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REQUESTED Western Crawford County / WCO Joe Russell Pymatuning Lake- Fishing has returned to the lake this week with crappies and walleye being caught. The water still isn't warm enough for a major spring run, it was 42 degrees as of today (4/2/2002) but some lucky anglers have reported limiting out. The place to be right now seems to be the spillway for walleyes and anywhere around structure or warmer water for the crappies. Walleye are hitting on minnies and sonars being jigged at the spillway and the crappies seem to be finding minnies and jigs tipped with bait under a bobber appealing. Fishermen are reminded that Linesville creek from the mouth to the railroad bridge north of route 6 and Findley/Paden creek from the mouth to route 6 are designated as nursery waters and you are not even allowed to possess fishing gear on the banks. Boaters should also remember that the registrations for 2002 are now expired and you should have the new 2004 displayed. If the weather stays good I would look for this weekend to be very productive for fishing all around the lake, also don't forget to stop and see me and say HI at the open house at the hatchery on Saturday. Conneaut Lake- No activity to report from hear as I was gone over the weekend for the holiday and when I checked it tonight there was no one there. The canal at the North end should start picking up for crappie as long as the weather keeps getting warmer. Q: Do I have to register my canoe or other un-powered boat?
A: Unpowered boats, including canoes, kayaks, sailboards, inflatables, etc., are not required to be registered in Pennsylvania, UNLESS:
You intend to use the watercraft at Commission lakes or access areas.*
You intend to use the watercraft at a state park lake.*
You put a motor (electric, gasoline or other) on your boat.
* You can also use your boat at Commission lakes and access areas, and state park lakes, if you purchase either a DCNR State Parks Launch Permit or a Fish & Boat Commission Use Permit....go to the online list of Use Permit issuing agents. Dick Snyder, Chief / Division of Fisheries Management
Q: I would like to know why trout season isn't delayed for a month, because it seems like every year right after the Fish and Boat Commission begins stocking trout it starts raining and all the streams flood. So why not delay the beginning of the stocking and the season by a couple weeks?
A: You have a very good question. In fact, the Commission staff have been wrestling with the idea of maybe two opening days for trout season in Pennsylvania. If you consider the interesting diversity in topography and weather across the state you can see the problems perhaps associated with having one opening day. If we delay stocking and the first day too much, areas of the state particularly the Southeast, southwest and portions of the Northwest will have numerous waters that will not be suitable for trout stocking due to increased water temperature and reduced flows. On the other hand if we open the season earlier to take advantage of milder conditions (air temperature) in the Southeast and southwest, etc., many areas of the state will still be under the harsh conditions of late winter. Picking one date is subject to all these conditions, and even then, whether it be with an earlier opener or a late one, conditions immediately before that date could change fishing conditions. But, as we attempt to provide more recreational trout fishing opportunity even with the same or reduced production, we are taking a hard look at the idea of a different approach for opening days for the state. This is another reason we have added more delayed harvest areas across the Commonwealth. These waters provide opportunity for stream trout anglers to get out early but fish on a no-kill basis until mid-June with limited harvest is permitted. Also, we have several dozen trout-stocked lakes and two tailwater sections open for trout angling in March when most others are closed. Early angling can occur with harvest limited to 3 trout per day. Then these waters are closed 1 April so the rest of the preseason allotment can be stocked for the mid-April opener. Part of our deliberations on these and other issues will be more formalized this summer as we enter into a "rethinking" of our approaches in trout production and management. If you have access to the PFBC web page you might have noted reference to the TROUT SUMMIT. This will provide the basis for considering where we have been with the trout program and where we might head. Public participation will be a key item in the Trout Summit. Keep checking the web page www.fish.state.pa.us
Dick Snyder,
Chief / Division of Fisheries Management
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