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Waterways Conservation Officer Report WCO John W. Bowser
Pa. Fish & Boat Commission
Western Erie County District
Avonia Beach (Trout Run) - Fish are visible just 10 yards off of the beach
and the catch rate is high when lake conditions are smooth. Skein during the
daylight hours & "glow in the dark" Cleo's at night are working well.
Walnut Creek - Abundant fish present from the new habitat improvement area,
upstream to the waterfall above Manchester Hole. Also a high angler success
rate is occurring at the end of the East Jetty in the lake. Jigs are working
well in both areas during the day if you choose colors according to weather
conditions. Skein & Powerbait are still the best baits at night. The access
area building will be open Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays during the day until
just before Christmas Holidays. Twenty Mile - Still a nice number of fish present from the mouth to New York
State line with the area just above Route 5 to the iron bridge being the best
location. Elk Creek - McKean Hole upstream from I-79 has a lot of fish in it as 112
were added from the Trout Run nursery area to the ones that came upstream on
their own. Most anglers are unaware that the hole is 15' to 17' deep. The
trick is to fish it accordingly. ......High number of catches noted on
downstream portions of Elk on green wooly-buggers. Many fish are still off the mouths of the tribs... watch for major runs yet
to occur with rainfall in excess of 1". Boat fishing off of the tributaries
is still going well. Casting silver spoons imitates the natural baitfish
present and best results are achieved by casting out and giving a count of 6
prior to starting to retrieve the lure New data has been compiled by the Lake Erie Research Unit from anglers
surveys & fishing logs. Additionally, the study of returning steelhead by
the Penn State Graduate School group headed by Brad Thompson has also been
put in written format. I will attempt to get a condensed overview of both
reports ready for next month's report. Good Tip.... it would be smart to wear some fluorescent orange while fishing
during deer season... especially if fishing in the more remote stretches.
Brown chest waders with a tan fishing vest may look like game to the hunter
several hundred yards away on the other side of the creek side brush. A special thanks to the anglers & landowners that have taken time to report
violations along the Erie tribs this season. It only improves the fishery
for the honest fishermen & fisherwomen and sends a message to poachers that
their behavior will not be tolerated. The PFBC is doing its part by
supplementing patrols on the tribs this fall with additional officers &
hours. Your help is appreciated in protecting the resource. The number of
bait containers along the tribs is astonishing but more & more people are
bringing nets filled with litter back to their vehicles for proper disposal.
It helps the resource & makes you feel good about yourself. On behalf of the
Erie County PFBC officers we wish you & your families the happiest of
holidays..... Jb
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