: Pa. Fish & Boat Commission
: Wco Report for Erie County by Wco John W. Bowser: Walnut Creek Project... Has been a major success story which has only been
: heightened by the low water conditions. The largest project of its kind by
: the Pa. Fish & Boat Commission in partnership with US Fish & Wildlife,
: Sportsmen Clubs, Local Businesses... it shows how a cooperative effort will
: accomplish a lot.
: The project was bid out at $9,999.00 for the major earthmoving & excavation
: which the PFBC was able to cover. Permits (even the Fish & Boat Commission
: have to get these to dig in a stream) required the excavated stone be removed
: from the area which added an additional $1000.00 .... stream enhancement work
: to improve the fish habitat, grading, & hydro seeding monies were generated
: by the following: Elk Creek Sports Store, Poor Richards, BAC Bait, Pa
: Steelhead Association, SONS of Lake Erie, 3CU Trout Club, Elk Valley
: Sportsmen Club, Jim Rutkowski, Lakeshore Service Gulf Station, ErieNet Inc.,
: & Teresa's Deli (Lakeshore).
: These clubs & businesses should be thanked by anglers for providing support
: on short notice to make this project a "completed" one. Photos of the
: project & more details are available on the Pa. Fish Commission website. My
: personal thanks to all those who helped out and to Chivers Construction for
: their extra efforts put forth in completing this in time for the steelhead
: run. : Steelhead Run Status ... (as of 9/29/99) - The habitat improvement project at
: Walnut Creek has helped tremendously. An inch of rain fell on 9/20 but it
: seems that only Walnut Creek watershed received any of it. Fish came into
: the creek and went to just above the chutes upstream of the Manchester Hole.
: The best fishing currently is at Walnut at the access area with some of the
: new holes holding nice numbers of trout and at Avonia Beach/ Trout Run
: shoreline.
: Elk Creek has a fair number being caught in the lower portions from just
: below the boat ramp to the mouth... none were observed above Route 5. Patrols
: found no fish yet in the East side tributaries, or Crooked & Raccoon Creeks.
: Best bet for those interested in fishing any of these is to watch the weather
: reports for at least 1 inch of rainfall to hit the area. That should produce
: some fish into these streams. : Reminder on regulations.... a quick overview of area regulations now in
: effect.
: ... trout/salmon size limit is 15" with 3 fish limit
: ... between 10 pm & 5 am: you have to be north of Rt. 5 on the west
: side, 50 yards from the mouths of Trout Run & Godfrey Run, cannot fish any of
: the east side tribs.
: .... fires are not permitted on lands without landowner permission (this
: includes beaches)
: .... it is illegal to park on bridges or with tires on the roadway
: .... disposal of fish entrails along many sections of streams, access
: areas, or adjacent lands may be a littering violation (use common sense) -
: remember the thousands of fish caught here and the effect it would have if
: they were all cleaned in just a few areas. Carry a plastic bag & dispose of
: entrails properly.
: .... sale of fish eggs or skein taken from PA fish is illegal
: .... foul hooked fish must be immediately released
: .... anglers at Walnut Access MUST NOT allow lines to interfere with boat
: traffic : Help needed... your assistance is needed in contacting legislators to voice
: support for "GROWING GREENER PLUS" This is a legislative initiative which
: would send money to the Pa Fish & Boat Commission as well as the PGC & DCNR.
: This money gets back directly to sportsmen & outdoors men by permitting
: projects to be completed & necessary maintenance to be performed. I will
: give you a short version of this... The Pa Fish & Boat Commission has 65
: million dollars of work that needs to be done on dams, hatcheries, and access
: areas. It is only currently permitted to spend 1.5 million/year to address
: these needs. Without this money coming in from the Growing Greener Plus
: Program, there are only a couple things that can occur. Either certain
: accesses & dams will have to be permitted to deteriorate to the point of
: being shut down or fishing lakes drained or the money will have to come from
: somewhere else. I know how tight the PFBC watches their money and this
: program is critical to maintaining the current levels of service. All you
: have to do is let your legislator know that you are in favor of this
: initiative by calling or writing. More detailed information is available on
: the Pa Fish & Boat Commission website or by calling PFBC/ Harrisburg and
: asking for Joe Greene. Your help is appreciated. : STOP SIGNS AT WALNUT ACCESS... mean what they say... STOP!! - with the
: increase foot traffic brought by the placement of the habitat improvement
: project... it is more important than ever to obey these signs at the entrance
: to the access area. The most often heard excuse is that the driver was
: looking over the bank at the creek and never saw the sign. That means they
: wouldn't have seen the child that ran to the car for something or the husband
: & wife out for a stroll, or the neighboring landowner walking their dog.
: Think of the pain that a car/pedestrian accident would cause not only the
: victim but the driver in lawsuits, fines, insurance rate increases. Officers
: will be enforcing this violation...so fair warning. Fishing should be fun &
: safe!! : REPORTING A VIOLATION... is the most effective way to protect the resource.
: If the office at Walnut Creek is open, it is the most effective contact point
: for the Erie area. Their number is 833-2464. The Northwest Region Office is
: 814-337-0444. If not successful at those numbers, Wco Bowser can be reached
: at either his office at 774-0928 or on his cellphone at 881-5657. Sir,
Can you report on any fishing at the mouth of the creeks in the lake?
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