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WESTERN CRAWFORD COUNTY, WCO Joe Russell Pymatuning Lake:
Catch rate in the lake is a little right now, as the water is still fairly cold. I have had reports that they are starting to get fish on the Ohio side from shore. The spillway still seems to be producing fish as well with some nice ones being taken on sonar’s. With all the recent warm weather we have receiving it shouldn’t be long for the water to warm up at all. Boating is starting to pick up on the lake with guys getting their boats out of storage. Remember to check your safety equipment before putting it on the lake. Just because it was fine when you put it away doesn’t mean it will be this year. Mice love to nest in life jackets and nitrogen can leak out of extinguishers making them useless and unserviceable. One bad fire extinguisher can be worth $90.00 in fines and cost and it is definitely cheaper to check them and replace them. Conneaut Lake:
The main body of the lake has not been fished much however the inlet at the north end is getting pounded. I have been told the Crappie fishing has been great there. Unfortunately when I brought my kids to try we got skunked, but so did everyone else that day so we didn’t feel too bad. That is why it is called fishing and not catching. From what I am told minnies under a bobber are the hot item here and when they are biting it is fast and furious then as quick as they turn on they will turn off. This is an excellent area to bring kids though as the banks are level and fairly easy access. Conneaut Creek:
Trout season opened this last Saturday and was interesting to say the least. 3400 trout were put into Conneaut creek on Thursday the 10th and at that time the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was treating the stream for Sea Lamprey with lampricide. This is a chemical that specifically targets Sea Lamprey in their juvenile form and kills them prior to going out into lake Erie. Unfortunately Friday night the night before trout opened at 7 pm the supervisor for their team did a news interview and warned about consuming any fish from the treated water for 24 to 48 hours after the treatment ended. At that time they were still treating the water, so opening morning was spent warning fishermen that they should practice Catch and Release. We were greeted with many thanks for our warnings from anglers and appreciation that we got the word to them. Steps are being taken to ensure that this never happen again and time restraints on the permits issued have been put in place. All the fish should be fine for consumption now as it is past the 48 hours, and the stream will be getting more fish (2300) this week. With most of the fish being caught and released and the in season stocking this week this stream should be loaded with catchable trout. Watch getting right up to the waters edge though as water levels are down and the water is clear and you could spook them very easily. Try up under branches or overhangs for best results or possibly some of the deeper holes at the downstream northern stretches near the county line.
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