Pennsylvania Fishing Reports for 2003!

Pymatuning/ Conneaut Lake:

Still not much fishing pressure this week but we have had some pretty severe storms at times with heavy rains and extremely high winds. We even had the first snow of the year this last week so it has not been that conducive to fishing. Now would be a good time to get that boat ready for next year and make sure everything is in shape for the upcoming season. If you store your boat outside also don’t forget to pull your fire extinguisher inside since changes in temperatures over the winter can drastically shorten its life.

My Final Report:
I never thought that over three years ago when John Bowser asked me if there was anything that I might have to add to the Erie WCO Report, that it would turn into a weekly writing assignment. Or that so many sportsmen and women would read the articles almost religiously every week. If you were to ask my bosses they would tell you that one of my weaknesses is report writing and if it wasn’t for spelling and grammar check on Microsoft word I would be lost and you probably would not be able to read them. When I first started John would call me just about every week and say “come on Russell am I the only one working in this region get your damn report up here so I can go to bed!” Well unfortunately all good things must come to an end and this will be my final report from the Western Crawford County district. I have put in for and been given a district closer to where I am originally from and as of the beginning of the year I will be taking over the Wyoming/Susquehanna district in the Northeast region. What John started with this report has been widely accepted by everyone, and even used as a model for the rest of the state, to get the word to the fishing and boating public. I can’t tell you how many people have come up to me over the last three years and asked if I was Fishcop and thanked me for writing in and being part of this. To those of you who have taken the time to write and send in notes of encouragement, or stopped me along the stream, I want to say Thank You. It makes this assignment much easier for the officers who have to write it knowing that it is read and looked forward to by the fishing and boating community we serve. I have met some wonderful sportsmen and women through this report and it has been an honor to be a part of it. I also want to thank some of the best officers in the state, that I have had the pleasure of working with. Erie and the Northwest Region have an exemplary officer force and I am not just talking about full time people. Without the deputy force that we have statewide our job would be close to impossible and we certainly would not have the protection of our resources that we have now. My E-mail will probably be online for about another month while I wrap things up and prepare to move and my cell is good until the end of December. My pager will be off after the end of November and my state line is good until the middle of December. Once I get into my new district I will be sure to contact Randy Leighton and pass on my new contact information should anyone want to keep in touch. Once again thanks for everything and I hope to see you along the streams. By the way should anybody be looking for a house within minutes of some of the best fishing and hunting the state of Pennsylvania has to offer, I have one for sale just contact me and we will work something out. WCO Joe Russell

Pymatuning Lake, Conneaut Lake:
Fishing has slowed down this week and boat traffic has all but stopped except for the few brave souls who venture out on the weekends. Winter has started to show its ugly head and the temperatures have been dropping regularly here. Fish can still be had but it takes some work, concentrate on the deeper water and fish slower presentations allowing the fish time to go after your bait. Colder water will slow the fish strikes down but they will still be present just not as aggressive. Switch to more bait fishing or tip your lures with some bait now to give it a smell and taste and you should improve your odds of success.

An oversight has been brought to my attention that requires my apology and correction.
Last week I reported about the fishermen who were truly sportsmen and helped my Mom on Walnut Creek project waters with the steelhead. I mistakenly reported the names as Ted Bender and Tom Hogan when in fact it should have been Ted Varshine and Tom Hogan. I apologize for getting your name wrong Mr. Varshine and once again wish to express my gratitude for your help at making my folks trip a HUGE success.

Don’t forget to Pack for that fishing or hunting trip in advance, if you are planning on coming out to enjoy our vastly popular recreational areas. Make a list of items that you will be using then double check while packing the car. My father who is extremely hooked on our steelhead streams was so excited to get back out here again with my uncle and my cousin that all the flies he had tied the week before were left in his basement in his haste to get going. Not to worry though I had a vice and he was busy tying the night he got here so he had flies to use the next day. By the way we had another several days of outstanding fishing with the steelhead cooperating while they were here.

Pymatuning Lake:
The Walleyes are still biting in deep water but most of the fishermen having any luck are hitting them by boats. It seems that drifting on the south end is the way to go right now and they are having particularly good luck around the pines area just south of the Jamestown marina, where we placed the gravel last year as artificial reefs. 18”-24” seems to be the range being caught right now and jigging sonar’s and jigs tipped with Minnie’s or night crawlers seem to be what they are hitting on. Most of everything else seems to be slowing down right now but I have talked to a few Musky fishermen that state the Muskies should be picking up anytime soon for the fall run, so I would watch for that.

Conneaut Lake:
I haven’t seen much activity here this week but I can tell you that most of the recreational boaters have been removed from their dock space for the year, with the exception of one or two. If you ever wanted to fish Conneaut Lake and have no skiers or jet skis around you this is definitely the time to do it. Look for the schools of white bass under the jumping baitfish or where the seagulls are flocking to around sunset and you should have pretty good luck.

My Personal Thanks To a Couple of Great Sportsmen:
Sportsmanship shined through this last week when I brought my mom and dad, Dixie and John Russell, up on Walnut creek to get them to try Steelhead fishing for the very first time. I brought them up to the area above the chutes in the project waters at Walnut and my mom hooked into her first fish and within a matter of a couple minutes lost it. There were two anglers there who were using fly rods who were landing one fish after another and when they heard this was her first time one of them hooked a fish and handed her his pole to try and land it. Unfortunately that fish to was not to be landed either, but over the next hour or so they coached and encouraged and helped her land at least a half a dozen fish. She was able to catch a really beautiful Brown trout and a nice steelhead before calling it a day. The anglers names were Ted Bender and Tom Hogan and if you are wondering if this was done because I was with them the answer is no. I was in plainclothes and these gentlemen had no idea I was even an officer. They did it because they had a true love for the sport and wanted to experience that through the eyes of someone who had never had that experience before. I did identify myself before we left for the day and thanked them for all their time, and informed them they would be in this weeks report. I once again want to make that THANKS known to these really fine SPORTSMEN who took the time to make a fishing trip a memorable occasion that will be remembered for the rest of their lifetime. By the way dad didn’t need any coaching and was able to catch fish on his own, but I can say that mom landed fish and had keepers on the stringer long before he brought one in. He got home and decided that he would drive the six hours one way and be back out this week to try again, as he is literally hooked on some of the best fishing in the state.

Pymatuning Lake:
Fishing at the spillway has slowed somewhat with only a few anglers being spotted there over the last week. I have had the opportunity to check several fishermen on the northern end of the lake fishing from shore with success. Wilson boat launch area had a man and his wife yesterday with several very nice perch in the 14” range and several fishermen were catching perch in the Red Cross area. Minnows and worms are the bait of choice and they are floating them about three feet under a bobber. Towards evening seems to be the time of choice. Walleye are being caught on the south end by boat and seem to be hanging around at the twenty-eight foot mark. Drift fishing Jigs and Sonar’s seem to be the way to go here and most of the action seems to be just out from the pines below the Jamestown marina. This is also the same area that we put the artificial reefs in with the gravel so it looks like they are paying off.

Pymatuning Lake:
The action is still pretty good at the spillway, with Walleye and Crappie being taken in front of the wire. Sonar’s and Jigs seem to be what is producing the most but guys are having luck on worms under bobbers as well. Fish the worm three to four feet down under the bobber for best results.

Conneaut Lake:
Still no action at Conneaut, I haven’t seen or heard from one fishermen that has gone there this last week. I know from years past the white bass should be getting good and schooling up about now but I have yet to see anyone utilizing this resource. The recreational boaters are all but gone now so the fishermen and women have pretty much the run of the place. If you try it and do any good let me know.

Stripers In Pymatuning?
I didn’t think so and neither did the hatchery until Pat Mulholland pulled one out from twenty-mile bridge. While on patrol this last week I stopped to check a couple of fishermen that were done for the day and ran into Pat with a ten-gallon pail. His fish was hanging half out of the bucket because it wouldn’t all fit. I was able to snap a shot and then advised him he should have it measured and weighed at the hatchery the next day. The striper weighed in at nine pounds eight ounces and was twenty-seven inches long. Pat said his back and neck was killing him after the battle the fish put up. He stated “I thought I had on one of those carp until I got it near the surface and it flashed.” He was fishing a worm under a bobber three to four feet down when the fish hit. Before I get swamped with requests for directions twenty-mile bridge is the parking area just south of the spillway (Meyers parking area). You park there and walk the railroad grade south to the trestle that lets water into the Back Bay there. The hatchery confirmed that it was in fact a STRIPER and are puzzled as to how it got there as well.

Pymatuning Lake:
The spillway seems to be where all the activity is for fishing right now. Walleyes are being caught jigging silver and blue Sonar’s and chartreuse 1/8 oz. Jigs at the wire. Several large catfish are also being taken at the wire using minnows on the bottom. Crappies are also hitting here on minnows floated under a bobber. Fish them three to four feet below the bobber and for best results be sure to keep a live one on. Just remember you have to stay outside the wire to be legal.

Shenango River (outflow to Pymatuning):
Some very nice catfish were taken over the weekend fishing at the river. Some well in excess of two feet. Fishing the bottom using liver is the way these anglers were getting lucky. The two in the picture took over seven in two days, which will make for some very nice eating.

Conneaut Lake:
haven’t seen any activity this week on Conneaut except for a sailboat this afternoon. White bass should be schooling up now and biting good. Anyone with any information would be welcomed.

Waterfowl season opens this weekend and we are once again asking hunters to be very cautious when it comes to weather and boating while hunting. If it is cold and you have multiple layers of clothes on, when they get wet they will weigh you down that much more. Instead of having a life jacket in the boat throw it on for an added layer of warmth. Remember, “LIFE JACKETS ARE LIKE SEATBELTS THEY DON’T WORK IF YOU DON’T WEAR THEM”! All the same rules of boating apply while hunting as it does when you are out fishing in the summer.

Pymatuning Lake:
Some fish are being caught from boats but shore activity has slowed down greatly. This could be in part to the weather we have been having and are expected to get in the next couple of days. If you have you boat moored you should double check your line as this is expected to be a rather nasty storm. See the press release below for other information, recently put out by the Fish and Boat Commission.

Conneaut Lake:
Boat traffic has slowed significantly here but so has fishing pressure, this would be a great time to hit the water here as you will have little or no recreational boating to bother you. Let me know how you do so I can report it later.

BOATERS WOULD BE WISE TO PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE VISIT FROM ISABEL

Pymatuning Lake:
Bass are hitting really well right now, one bass fisherman stated “you can’t throw a plug or a lure anywhere near weeds or structure without coming up with a fish”. Muskies are still being caught by trolling but not as regularly, I am told by the fishermen that target them that they should be picking up soon for the fall run. Some Walleyes are being caught by trolling deep; Hot-N-Tots seem to be working best for this.

Conneaut Lake:
Pike are being caught on a steady basis by fishermen and seem to be concentrated near the weed beds and vegetation. White bass are starting to pick up as well, look for the schools of minnows swimming up out of the water and throw your lures into that. The fish that are jumping are the baitfish being chased by the white bass. Stick baits seem to be the best in a silver color, something that imitates a minnow.

The Causeway on Pymatuning:
Work on the Causeway across Pymatuning Lake has begun for the fall. Pendot has started grouting the rocks with concrete so you may experience a slight delay, but it is still open to traffic. They only have it narrowed down to one lane on the Pennsylvania side to get the work done. The work is scheduled to continue until sometime in November.

Hunting Season is Here:
Now that waterfowl season has arrived hunters are reminded that all the rules and regulations that applied during your summer boating season are still all the same. Think about wearing that Life Jacket now that it is getting colder and maybe it will help keep you warm. Watch weight distribution and nasty fall storms as they come up quick. We had hunters go into the lake last year during bad weather and were lucky to have a cell phone with them that they could call for help.

Pymatuning Lake:
The waters are warming again slowly with all the nice days we have been having so that should mean we are due for rain if the weather stays true to form. Muskies are being caught trolling and I am told the water temps for them right now are ideal and the Musky fishermen love it. Lake levels are close to normal pool now so boating is not a problem.

Pymatuning Lake:
Lake levels are starting to return too normal but temperatures are nowhere close to what they normally should be for this time of year. The good news is though that people are catching fish with the water temps being cooler. Every time we start getting above the seventies for a temp we get a rain or a cold night and it cools it back off. Crappies are reportedly biting on minnies in the shallows, Muskies are being picked up trolling, and Walleyes are being caught in the deeper water trolling Hot-n–Tots. All in all not everyone is unhappy about all the rain we have been receiving I spoke to the Duck and Drake bait shop in Ohio this afternoon and they are very happy as bait sales are way up with all the fish being caught.

Conneaut Lake:
Bowfin are still biting and angler are asked to release these fish immediately unharmed back to the water as this is one of the few watersheds in the Commonwealth that these fish actually do well. They are supposedly from the prehistoric era and one of the older fish in the Commonwealth and are a CANDIDATE species for the threatened and endangered species list. They don’t need to be killed just because they have a mouth full of teeth and you think they are killing everything else.

Boating Under the Influence:
The following is a report from our annual report last year (2002) on Boating Under the Influence (BUI). Seventy individuals were charged with operating a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol. This is the highest number of BUI arrests made since the passage of this law in 1985. Officers issued 151 Notices of Violation to personal watercraft operators for failing to have the required boating safety training or boat operators for failing to have their certificate of registration on board. Thirty-six citations were issued to PWC operators who indicated to an officer that they had received the boating safety training or boat operators who failed to provide proof of registration of their boat. PWC operators continue to provide enforcement problems during 2002. Three hundred, forty-eight citations were issued to PWC operators for violations of boating laws and regulations.

Waterways Conservation Officers and their deputies did an outstanding job this year detecting, apprehending and prosecuting Boating-Under-the-Influence cases. Seventy BUI arrests were made - a considerable increase over the past few years. Areas from which the most BUI arrests came were Lake Raystown, various pools of the Susquehanna River, the Three Rivers, Youghiogheny Reservoir, Presque Isle Bay, Conneaut Lake, Kinzua Lake, Lake Wallenpaupack, Beltsville Lake and the Delaware River. Defendants’ blood alcohol concentrations ranged from a low of .085 to a high of .255. One case involved controlled substances. The first BUI arrest of the year was made on March 7 on the Swatara Creek in Dauphin County.The Bureau of Law Enforcement purchased 36 pre-arrest breath testing devices and 12 hand-held video cameras to enhance the officers’ ability to enforce BUI and other Fish and Boat Code laws. These purchases were made possible by a $20,000 grant obtained via PennDOT as the result of our Bureau’s Joint BUI/DUI Task Force pilot project on and along the Lower Susquehanna River in 2000. Mothers Against Drunk Driving also donated two pre-arrest breath testing devices, and the PA DUI Association donated three of these devices. One Waterways Conservation Officer secured a pre-arrest breath testing device from his county’s DUI Task Force, and another officer secured one from an insurance company. While only a few years ago very few Waterways Conservation Officers had access to this very important enforcement tool, more than two-thirds of them now are so equipped. At their annual conference this year, the PA DUI Association again honored one of our Waterways Conservation Officers, Thomas J. Burrell, for his outstanding efforts toward safer boating by not only proactively enforcing BUI as a WCO but also for his efforts in instructing and assisting officers in the Southcentral Region after he was promoted to Assistant Regional Supervisor mid-year. In addition to attending the DUI Association’s annual conference and being awarded a ‘Top Gun’ plaque for his efforts, ARS Burrell also was awarded a pre-arrest breath testing device.

Boating-Under-the-Influence enforcement is one of the most important responsibilities of our officers because impaired boat operators are a serious public safety concern. Also, case law and other legal aspects of these cases are ever changing. Accordingly, the Bureau of Law Enforcement continues to provide its officers with the best training available. This year’s contributors to such training were a District Justice, Defense Attorney, Chief Assistant District Attorney, US Assistant District Attorney and a Chief of Police instructor from the Traffic Institute for Police Services. As a result, our officers are continually improving their efforts toward detecting, apprehending and prosecuting BUI cases, which enhances their professionalism with both the public and the law enforcement community. Unfortunately this continues to be a major concern and problem state wide and boaters are reminded that the penalties are quite steep for this offense. Up to $7500.00 and or 2 years in Jail, plus any additional charges that you may incur. It is not worth the risk and care should be used. If you are going to drink and Boat have a DESIGNATED DRIVER just as you would on the road, the life you save may be your own!

Pymatuning Lake:
Rain continues to be a problem for both boaters and fishermen here. The lake is currently more than a foot above normal pool and most of the docks that are fixed are under water. Every time the water starts warming up and the warm water species start biting we get a storm and it slows them down again. At least we don’t have a drought or have to worry about lower units this year.

Horsepower Change:
DCNR has made a news announcement that as of last week Saturday all the State Park Lakes that were taking place in the 18 HP pilot programs will be going to 20 HP and Pymatuning will also be 20 HP pending legislative action. Don’t purchase that 10 HP for the rest of this season because depending on your representatives it could be 20 Horse by the next boating season.

Fishing has been pretty much non existent in western Crawford County this week do to the extremely violent storms and high waters. All of the streams and rivers and most of the lakes are at flood stage right now, with Pymatuning being over a foot above normal pool. That may not seem like a lot but when you take that one square foot of water and multiply it by the total acreage of the lake (17,000) you have an awful lot of water that we have gotten in a very short time. One area of concern that has been frequently happening is motorist traveling the flooded roadways and not being able to see where they are going. Multiple people have had to be rescued because the force of the water has been so great. Boaters should also be wary of high water and be extra cautious, the following is a press release from Harrisburg.

FLOODED WATERWAYS ARE HAZARDOUS - BOATERS URGED TO USE CAUTION
In the wake of strong storms that swept across the Commonwealth yesterday and forecasts of more rain on the way, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is reminding boaters to avoid flooded areas and exercise extra caution in other locales. Recreational boating on high, storm-swollen waterways, which are often choked debris, can be extremely hazardous

A series of storms July 21 dumped heavy rains across much of the state, swelling streams and causing localized flooding. Heavy winds - reportedly in excess of 80 mph in some areas and possibly tornadic - accompanied the rain, felling trees and scattering debris.Northwestern Pennsylvania was hardest hit with the National Weather Service issuing a flood watch for the region. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has declared a state of emergency for parts of Crawford, Venango and Mercer counties. In McKean County, the Kinzua Viaduct, a historic railroad bridge over Kinzua Creek near the Allegheny National Forest, toppled in storm.Conneaut Lake in Crawford County is over the banks. The Allegheny River in Warren County, downstream past the Forest County Line and French Creek, in Venango County are among the larger waterways currently experiencing flooding. The PFBC is beginning to receive reports of drifting boats in various waterways, apparently torn loose from their moorings by the force of the storms.All of this can spell trouble for boaters. High, fast moving water is a challenge for even the most experienced operators. Inexperienced boaters or those using small, unstable craft like jon-boats, canoes or kayaks need to be especially mindful of basic boating safety considerations given high-water conditions. Even a moderate current can exert a force of several tons, pinning watercraft it against rocks, downed tree or storm-related debris. Boaters venturing out in strong current must stay within their abilities and skill levels, especially in unpowered boats. Capsizing and falls overboard may seem like relatively simple mishaps, but in fact, they are the most common type of fatal boating accidents on Pennsylvania waters. The risks and dangers of capsizing are further increased in flooding conditions.

Pymatuning Lake:
The water is warming up with all the recent nice weather and the warm water species seem to be hitting very well. Perch, Crappie, Bluegill, and Bass are all being caught in good numbers. The best results for the panfish continue to be worms or a jig floated under a bobber. Bass are hitting just about anything that moves right now so if what you have is not producing switch until you find something they like. The warm weather is also making for crowded ramps, so please be patient and wait your turn. This has not been a problem
so far. People are reminded that Pymatuning Lake is a State Park in both Ohio and Pennsylvania and as such, alcohol or even the possession of alcohol on the park property is a violation of the law and Can be punishable by up to 300.00 and 90 days in Jail. A drink is not worth that.

Conneaut Lake:
The lake is getting packed with more and more recreational boaters and less and less fishermen. The best times to fish this lake in the summer is either very early in the morning or very late in the evening. These are the prime hours before the Personal Watercraft (Jet Skis) and other boaters get out and get going.

Fireworks schedule for Western Crawford County
Friday July 4th - Conneaut Lake scheduled to start at 10 pm
Saturday July 5th - Pymatuning Lake south end by the dam scheduled to start at Dusk
Sunday July 6th - Pymatuning Lake North end from Linesville beach scheduled to start at Dusk

Be Smart, Be Safe:
Boaters and fishermen alike are asked to please be careful this Holiday weekend as it will more than likely be crowded with the anticipated forecasted good weather. Remember if you have to drink please drink sensibly. The fines and penalties for Boating Under The Influence are steep.

A Very Sad Note
Tragedy struck this last week in Franklin on French Creek. I was called to investigate a canoe accident involving 3 young female boaters. A church group decided to take a float trip down French Creek as part of their summer Choir camp. Fifty people in seventeen canoes were on the water for about an hour and a half before the canoe with three twelve year old girls got turned sideways in the current. The young lady that survived stated that they saw the tree down in the water and were going to “push off of it to get going right again”. Unfortunately anyone with any experience is aware of the dangers of a STRAINER and would know better. Once against the tree the canoe rolled and pinned two of the girls under the water taking their lives. The real tragedy in this whole event was that the only experience the girl that survived had was being in a canoe a couple of times at camp on a pond. With the recent rains and the swift water that was taking place there those three young girls should have never been in the canoe by themselves. As a Fishing and Boating community we really need to band together and educate our young people, and older people who are not aware, as to the hazards that water can pose. The fire service for years has been going into schools and teaching STOP DROP and ROLL, it is time we as sportsmen started teaching the young people of today a safer way to enjoy our natural resources before any further loss of life takes place. Get involved with your local youth field days, contact your clubs and sponsor a boating safety class or become involved in the Women and Outdoors Program. The opportunities to educate our young people are countless and tragedies like this are preventable through education and awareness. Lets do anything we can to get the word out.

Pymatuning
With the recent warm weather the Bluegill, Crappy, and Perch have been biting better. They appear to be in the weed beds and hitting on night crawlers floated under a bobber. Unfortunately with the nicer weather the Walleye action has slowed down and fishing deep and drifting worms are catching only a rare one or two. Bass are starting to turn on now as well with the warmer lake temperatures and they are hitting on a multitude of lures and bait. Look for structures to find them any downed trees or anything for cover.

Pymatuning Lake
The walleyes were biting Friday night, I checked 7 boats and everyone of them had fish. They were not limiting out but every fisherman had one or two. The same location was given for everyone of them that came off the lake they were all fishing on the north end and in the stumps. The perch were being caught by the same group as well in the same area. The secret to success was fishing the bottom and using night crawlers. No one else seemed to have any luck on any other kind of bait. Crappies and Bluegills as well as the mosquitoes were biting also around the Red Cross area and they were being caught on worms as well. I would strongly suggest bug repellant though because in the short time it took me to check 2 fishermen I received several bites. Carp are biting all over the lake as well now and are very active, as they appear to be spawning in the shallows.

Conneaut Lake
The Bowfin are back and they appear to be biting rather nicely now. Several fishermen have called me with questions on them and what they are. They look somewhat like an eel and have a fin going down most of their tail and around to the underside. They have very sharp teeth and a voracious appetite. They are a good fighting fish when you catch them so they can be fun. Fishermen should return them to the water immediately unharmed after they are caught because they are a candidate species for the threatened and endangered list.

Crawford County Youth Field Days took place this weekend with a good time being had by all. The weather and the fish cooperated and kids caught fish ranging in size from a 19” catfish to a 4” bluegill. The size of the fish didn’t seem to matter though because I think every kid caught at least one fish and most caught several. I would like to personally thank Al from BA’s Bait & Bassin Shop in Meadville for donating all the bait for the kids to use and for his two employee’s Dale Vukmir and Myrle Knickerbocker for their time. If anyone has ever taken a kid fishing that has never been you know how busy you can be baiting and untangling and taking fish off of hooks, Now multiply that by 180 kids and you know what they went through to help out that day. Their assistance was invaluable and greatly appreciated and I can’t thank them enough. All had a good time and I think we may have some kids hooked on fishing because of it.

First let me apologize to everyone that sent me messages about last weeks report. I didn’t submit one because my Mom and Dad, John and Dixie Russell came for a visit. Their visit allowed me to do something I hadn’t been able to do in quite a while and that was go fishing and enjoy our resources from this area. My Mom, who had never had a fishing license bought her first one and accompanied my father and I quite a few times. She was able to land a whopping 6” bass from the lower impoundment below Crystal Lake and you would have thought it was a 20-pound Steelhead. There was definitely a pride shown after landing the sub-legal fish but it was dampened somewhat when my 6 year old daughter exclaimed, “Nana that’s not much bigger than those bait fish”. The areas we fished and the species that cooperated were the following

Pymatuning Lake
The week was started by taking them to the spillway and hoping to hook a carp on bread balls and my mom's new ultralight. We weren't disappointed either and soon had fish on but the line broke prior to landing it. Around carp point (the point just north of the gate house) I hooked into a 15” bass using suckers and fishing from shore. From the group camp area we took crappies and bluegills from shore using minnows under a bobber. Behind Ackerman Island on the South end we again got into panfish using minnows and bobbers, and fishing from a boat. I have been told the bluegills are starting to bite along shore and in the shallows now but we were unable to find them.

Crystal Lake
We attempted to fish from shore here however the vegetation has exploded and after losing several bobbers and a lure we decided to move on. I do know the bass were jumping like crazy that day and someone in a canoe or johnboat would have a very good time.

Upper, Middle and Lower Impoundments
These are the bodies of water that are just south of Crystal Lake. We were very successful with the bass here using minnows under bobbers and light rigs. There wasn’t any great size to any of the ones we brought in but they were a lot of fun to catch. My father did hook into one here that he said was “The largest Bass he had ever caught” but it managed to spit the hook after about 5 minutes of playing it. Unfortunately for him the rule before we started was if you don’t land it, it doesn’t count.

North Pier at Presque Isle
Thanks to my neighboring officer and good friend WCO Tom Edwards, when I called and asked where the fish were biting he directed me to the North Pier. We used Minnows and suckers here as well and lost count of the fish we were catching. At one point I had a pole in one hand reeling it in and the other was bent in half with fish taking my bait. Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, and a very nice 12” Perch is what we were able to land here before the rain and night ran us off. On WCO Edwards tip we fished just off the bottom with our minnows and were very successful. On a final note I would like to thank my bosses at the Northwest Regional Office for allowing me the time off to be able to do this, and my neighboring officer WCO Raymond Borkowski, who covered a reported boat accident in my area while I was out. Thanks for the help Ray.

Pymatuning Lake
A very busy weekend was had over the holiday with just about every boat ramp being packed. Fishing pressure was heavy, but the Walleye were just not cooperating. The Walleye that were caught were mostly taken along the bottom in 15’ to 18’ of water drifting worms on jig heads. A very nice Channel cat was caught on the North end by a lucky angler who fought it for over 15 minutes after he figured out it wasn't a log and was actually pulling. It was in the 30” range and was immediately released after pictures were taken unharmed to be caught again. Another lucky angler, Dr. Shannon Pursel of Johnstown Pa., was lucky enough to land her first ever Musky. This fish came in at 38” and was caught just off of the main swim beach while trolling for Walleye. Her dad who was with her at the time was just as proud as she was. A lot of fishermen are still hooking up with Muskies trolling and fishing the shallows (5’-8’ of water). Some very large fish have been taken so far.

Conneaut lake was not too busy over the weekend, probably do to the colder weather and water temperatures so far this year. I expect this lake to get very busy soon if the weather will just cooperate. Conneaut Lake always warms up slower because it is spring fed and deeper than Pymatuning Lake.

Pymatuning Lake:
Good catches of walleye are happening in 16 to 18 feet of water. Drifting worms or leeches on jig heads are good baits as well as jigging blades. Generally the rougher the water the better the bite. Some Muskie of decent size are being taken with some consistency in the shallower water, generally 5 to 8 feet. Crappie, perch and white bass are being picked up near the spillway on worms and jigs 2 feet down under a float.

Pymatuning Lake:
High winds and cooler temperatures made the fishing quite slow this weekend. The water cooled back down a couple of degrees with the cold nights and is averaging right around the upper 50's. Bass fishermen tell me that the largemouth's are moving into shallower water and will only need a few more degrees temp before they get on their spawning beds. They say that if you do want to find a bass right now you should target structure that is by itself, such as a lone tree down in the water, and vary your lures till you find what they like. Tube jigs and spinner baits were working this last Friday but with the whitecaps all day Saturday I saw very little in the way of catches. Walleye are still being reluctant to hit and if you are lucky enough to catch them they are bigger, with very few undersized fish being caught. For those of you that wonder are we putting any fish in, On 4/16 and 4/17 the hatchery stocked over 10 million Walleye fry in the main lake.

Conneaut Lake:
The appearance of boats here means that the boating season is fast approaching for Conneaut lake. Docks are filling up fast with the seasonal people coming back for the summer and getting their places ready for another year. Before you launch that boat take a minute to go over it and make sure the safety equipment is still there and that it is still in good working order. When an officer stops you for a safety check it is not the time to find out that mice have used your life jackets as a nest or that the fire extinguisher has leaked out because it was stored outside. Those can be costly mistakes if you actually need that equipment to save you or one of your loved ones. The biggest thing is to have a good and safe boating season.

Pymatuning Lake:
The recent cold rains and low pressure system that came through has all but shut the fish down. Fishermen were experiencing luck wading towards evening right before sundown however now that is even stopped. Hopefully these last few days of very warm and sunny weather will raise the water temps and bring the fish in to feed again. Quite a few fishermen have been telling me they are catching a lot of Muskies this year. They have been running in shallow and feeding on the other fish. It looks like it might be a great year to try and catch one of these fifty plus inch giants.

Renovations at the State Park:
If you are around the state park you may notice all the bathrooms have been closed and porta-johns have been set up around them. This is do to work being done to convert all the pit toilets to flush toilets. This will not only make them more economical but a lot more environmentally friendly. The minor inconvenience we have to endure for this short period will be a significant benefit for us in the long run.

Conneaut Lake:
Still not much fishing pressure here and most of the docks are still empty from the boats not being in the water yet. The pressure that was taking place in the inlet at the North end has also slowed down with only sporadic fishermen hitting it now. This would definitely be the lake to hit if you want some seclusion from other fishermen. Should you go here and have any success let me know I would like to hear from you.

Pymatuning lake:
Shore fishermen are doing well in the last week wading. Walleye are being caught in 4 to 5 feet of water by these fishermen using Rappallas and Jigs tipped with minnies. Boat fishermen are not having the same luck and those that are, are bringing there boats in shallow and fishing near the waders. The best time are at evening and usually from 6pm on until dark. We had a special enforcement detail over the weekend with 232 boats checked and only 40 to 50 walleye checked. People just were not catching them during the day. Several officers from around the area as well as Ohio Officers and state park rangers took place in this detail. Out of the 232 boats being boarded very few citations were issued and those that were were usually for multiple violations on the same boat. Safety items comprised most of the violations and almost 3 times the amount of warnings were given as citations issued. These safety details will continue throughout the state during the summer months making sure that fishermen and boaters are in compliance with our laws and safe out on the waters of the Commonwealth.

Conneaut lake:
No activity was noted for this lake over the last week and I have heard no reports from fishermen on any catches.

Conneaut Creek:
The creek got stocked with it's in season allotment of trout and another 2300 fish were put in on friday the 18th. Some anglers were present as we were stocking and I noticed several full stringers as we pulled up to the holes. With the cold weather and snow we are recieving tonight, this stream should stay cold for a while and remain good for fishing for quite some time. With all the overhangs and snag and habitat for them to hide this is an excellent trout stream to try before the weather gets to warm. Several nice breeders were put in off of this last stocking so there are some really big fish in there if you work for them.

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.

Pymatuning Lake:
The water temperature is still keeping shore fishermen and boats from having much success. The only place I am seeing fish caught on a regular basis is at the spillway jigging by the wire. Sonar’s (jigging spoons) seem to be the biggest producer of fish and some big ones are being caught. I saw a 30” plus Walleye come out of there this last weekend and some muskies are being taken as well. Crappies were hitting on the weed beds and around the shore but this recent cold snap has shut them down. It is amazing what 20-degree weather, rain, and snow can do to shut them down. The first boat accident of the season happened this last weekend with 2 fishermen capsizing their boat while trying to fish at the spillway. Luckily a muskey fishermen was on shore with 65 pound test line and was able to cast out over them and drag them in with his pole. This same young man also took off prior to rescuers arriving as he did not want to make a big deal out of what he had done. He potentially saved their lives and the only way I was able to find him was his father was proud of him and contacted me. A huge thanks goes out to Christopher J. Weaver for his quick thinking and actions that averted a tragedy.

New License Dealer at Pymatuning
The Western Crawford County officers would like to welcome our newest license dealer to the area, the Espyville Livery. With the opening of the livery this year and it being under new management there are a few changes that have taken place. Not only will they be selling fishing licenses but also a full line of bait to include Minnows, Night crawlers, Red worms, Meal worms, and Wax worms. They also have a full line of tackle and a new fishing equipment rental program. Boat rentals will of course be going on with a line of kayaks (both 1 & 2 person) available, and Craig Cats (a small 2 person pontoon). Overnight rentals will also be available, as well as fuel if you already have a boat. They are also working on an Ice Cream/Food stand to be opened in the near future so you can get something to eat while boating the lake. All the marinas should be opened by this next weekend so stop by and get out and enjoy the lake.

Conneaut Lake
With the onset of the recent weather there hasn’t been much, if any, pressure on Conneaut Lake. I haven’t seen any boats out here yet, so I can’t report on any catches.

Pictured a night of family fun at the spillway.

Pymatuning Lake:
Walleye are being caught by the droves at the wire on the spillway. Sonar's and cicadas seem to be the hot item to fish with. Guys are fishing here around the clock and taking quite a few, remember though anything inside the wire is nursery waters and will result in a pretty steep fine if you are caught or turned in. I have had reports of some over the limit cases unfortunately they came in after the incident and I was unable to catch the actors in the process. Please feel free to use my numbers to contact me at the time of the violation and I will come right out if I am not already out some place. Shore fishing has been pretty nonexistent as of yet do to the cold water temps not bringing the fish in yet. The water will need to get about another 10 degrees warmer for shore fishing to pick up. Boating has started and everyone should check all their safety equipment prior to launching, don't just take it for granted that it is OK because it was when you put it away last year. The hatchery has informed me that they will have no problem whatsoever reaching their goal on egg production this year, they are catching a lot of fish and most of them are still green and not ripe yet.

Conneaut Lake:
Haven't seen any fishing yet here as I have been busy with Pymatuning lake however I am told the channel at the North end is getting hammered with crappie fishermen and they are doing quite well. Minnie's that are orange/red in color seem to be a favorite and are producing good results.

Preseason:
Stocking of Conneaut creek will take place on the 10th of April and everyone will meet the trucks at 9:45 at the Springboro post office on route 18. All are welcome to come check out the fish and carry a few buckets, I understand from other officers that the hatchery put out some nice trout again this year. In season stocking will be the week of the 14th. We are putting a total of 5700 browns and brookies in this year.

Pymatuning Lake:
Not much in the way of fish has been caught through the ice lately, but that hasn’t stopped the fishermen from trying. Hut can be seen on the weekend scattered up and down the lake. I had opportunity to check several of these at various locations and all had the same story, that they had been there all morning and had not had a bump. If I have to wager a guess I would say that it is do largely to all the low-pressure systems that we have had moving through the area lately. It seems like we get done with one storm and another is on the way. My best advice would be to keep trying though because they have to start biting soon. If you want to try some jigging for perch or walleye I would also suggest the spillway. The recent rains and constant water flow have opened this area of the lake up and fishermen usually have pretty good luck here in the spring. I haven’t seen much activity here yet though so maybe it is worth a try.

Conneaut Lake:
Not much in the way of activity here, I haven’t seen anyone fishing here in the last week. I haven’t heard from any anglers lately either, so I don’t have much to pass on about this lake.
Crystal Lake:
This Lake is still getting hit hard and Bluegills are still getting caught in regular numbers. Jigging seems to be the most productive with a tiny jig and tipped with a mealworm or maggot. If nothing else you can come here for a little activity.

Shenango River:
The Pymatuning lake outflow has seen an increase in activity in the last several days, probably because it is the only open water in this area. I haven’t seen much in the way of fish being caught yet but they will be coming shortly. This body of water traditionally ahs a spring walleye run and lanterns can be seen lining the banks. Fishermen do need to remember though that this falls under the INLAND WATER regs and as of this Saturday Walleye will be closed for here. Several fishermen were under the assumption this last week that because it was the outflow that it was the same regs as Pymatuning and that is wrong. Also the entire river in this area is in Pennsylvania; do not think that by crossing the river you are “On the Ohio side of the river” as two unlucky anglers told me last year.

Linesville Open House:
The good news we have plenty of ice for ice fishing this year the bad news is we have plenty of ice for open house this year. The decision has been made to cancel the open house this year because the hatchery has not been able to get out to set any trap nets yet and as a result they have no fish in any of the raceways or in the aquarium. As of this last Saturday 3/8/03 we had an average of 10” to 12” inches on the south end of the lake and the north end wasn’t much different. One of my fellow officers informed me that last year at this time it was 74, and last night it was 6 so who knows when the ice will go off.

Boating Course:
This course is now required by law for anyone under 21 to operate a motorboat in excess of 25 horsepower. The course will be held March 15th from 8 am to 4 PM with a lunch provided by the Jamestown fire departments ladies auxiliary. There is a $10.00 processing fee to be mailed in with your completed test and a $3.00 donation for lunch. Pre registration is required so we can determine the meal size. You can email WCO Joe Russell at fishcop@alltel.net and let him know or stop in West Bay Boat Sales (on rt. 322 just west of Jamestown) and sign up in person. There are only a few openings left for this class. Now is the time to take this course before the boating season starts. This will probably be the last class this year, taught by me. We still have room for more so stop procrastinating and join us.

Pymatuning Lake:
Perch and Crappies are starting to be picked up off of Tuttle point in deeper water. Fish the channel just to the west of the campground on the edge of the drop off in 10 to 15 feet of water. Not much action on the south end as of yet and no walleyes to speak of however now that the other species have started the walleye should start picking up.

Conneaut Lake:
Only one ice hut was observed over the weekend out here and I was on my way to the Erie sportshow to work so I didn't get a chance to stop and see how they were doing. I haven't gotten any E-mails from anglers with any success stories either.

Boating Course:

Mark your calender:
Sunday June 01, 2003 the Children's Fishing Derby will be held at Cook
Forest State Park, Cooksburg, PA. Registration will be located at shelter
#1. The derby begins at 1:00pm and ends at 4:00pm. Every child that
registers receives a prize. The derby is sponsored by the Marienville Rod
and Gun Club.

Tionesta Creek preseason stocking has been changed:
The section from Barnes
to Mayburg will be stocked on March 14, 2003. The meeting place will be in
Barnes at 12:30. The second part of Tionesta Creek from Mayburg to
Kelletville will be stocked on March 20, 2003 meeting place will also be in
Barnes at 12:30.
There is open water on Tionesta Creek below Tionesta Dam which could provide
good musky and walleye fishing in open water. Tionesta Lake is still
producing some good ice fishing opportunity, however be careful if ice
fishing Tionesta Lake as the ice on the shoreline can be unsafe.

Pymatuning Lake:
Fishing has still been slow but that hasn't kept guys from trying. I checked over 40 guys on Saturday and saw one Walleye. It was 18 ½ inches caught off of main beach about 500 yards out. The gentleman that caught him told me he had caught a 37½-inch musky the day before. He was using a phoebe jig (very small one) and sonar’s. The ice is still averaging around 10 to 12 inches in most spots on the lake. Conneaut Lake-There was several fishermen that I checked just south of our access area with tip ups and jigs and no fish to be seen. They informed me that they had been there all day and had only had one on and he got off when they got it up near the hole. I informed them that is why it’s called fishing and not catching. They were using large minnows and had Swedish pimple jigs. Crystal lake- Guys are still catching panfish here quite regularly on minnows. I checked a guy over the weekend that had 49 and was just waiting to catch that last one before heading home, he had been there the entire day. Most of the action appears to be on the eastern and northern sides of the lake.

Boating Course:
This course is now required by law for anyone under 21 to operate a motorboat in excess of 25 horsepower. The course will be held March 15th from 8 am to 4 PM with a lunch provided by the Jamestown fire departments ladies auxiliary. There is a $10.00 processing fee to be mailed in with your completed test and a $3.00 donation for lunch. Pre registration is required so we can determine the meal size. You can email WCO Joe Russell at fishcop@alltel.net and let him know or stop in West Bay Boat Sales (on rt. 322 just west of Jamestown) and sign up in person. There are only a few openings left for this class. Now is the time to take this course before the boating season starts.

Pymatuning Causeway Closing:
I was informed over the weekend that the causeway will be closing from March 10 to May 15 for repairs to the Ohio Bridge. Ohio department of transportation will be shutting down the causeway and taking the existing bridge completely out and replacing it. Unfortunately this will be during most of the prime Walleye run for this spring so fishermen need to make other arrangements to get around the lake. Penndot will also be doing work on the causeway this fall, roughly from August to November, but they will not have the road closed only narrowed down to one lane.

Pymatuning Lake:
Fishing has slowed down a bit in the last week. Ice isn't the problem now it is all these low pressure systems pushing through the area. Even still I am spotting guys usually every day trying their hand at it and not giving up. The most successful to date seem to be down around the pines on the South end where the gravel beds were put in. Live bait continues to be the primary attractant however some jigging of Sonar's has been productive.

Conneaut Lake:
The ice seems to be good here as well and the northern end is starting to pop up with more and more ice shanties. My best suggestion for here would definitely be out from our launch ramp and just slightly to the left. There is a drop off here and in the summer months a significant weed bed. String your tip ups out along this edge at varying depths and you should do real well. This is probably one of the best spots in this lake for Northerns through the ice. I haven't heard of any large catches here this last week either however the sign of fishermen is encouraging.

Crystal Lake:
This lake continues to be hit hard and still continues to produce an ever abundant supply of Panfish. The key to this seems to be mobility, if they are not biting after a half an hour or so move and punch a new hole. Jigging with maggots or meal worms continues to produce here as well.

Pymatuning Lake:
The fishing around the lake has slowed down considerably in the last few days with all of these low pressure systems coming through. Guys are reporting only sporadic catches off of the pines on the south end where we put the gravel beds in last year. For those of you that do not know this is just south of the new marina in Jamestown and on the western side of the lake just north of the park office. The best luck has been had straight out off the point about 20 yards. Live minnies and sonar's still seem to be the hot ticket when they are biting but don't plan on any fast and furious action this week as we are supposed to be getting several more storm fronts all week. I haven't heard any reports of anyone doing any good off the north end lately.

Conneaut Lake:
I have seen some huts out on the southern end but unfortunately I was on my way to a meeting and was unable to stop and see how they were doing. By the time I got back they were gone. Most of the huts seem to be down on the south end by Silver Shores restaurant and on the edge of the weed bed just out from Nyes Marina. If anyone has done any good hear let me hear from you.

Crystal Lake:
This lake is still getting hit pretty hard and it is still producing Bluegills. The best hours seem to be just before dark and minnies and jigs tipped with maggots or waxworms seem to be the hot ticket.

Flukes:
As I reported last week several fishermen have reported seeing worms in their catches of Bluegills, Crappies, and Bass. I had an opportunity to speak with our biologist this week from the hatchery and was informed they are called FLUKES. They are a normal occurrence that happens in fish as part of their life cycle. There are no reported cases of them being harmful to humans however most people will not eat them and wind up throwing the fish away. This is not necessary, if you take your fillet knife and use the point they can easily be removed and you can finish cleaning your catch. They are a normal occurrence that usually only appear in warmer waters during the summer, and the biologist were surprised to hear they were showing up now. With proper care and cleaning of you catch they should not be a problem

Bradford's Carl Stolz is mighty proud of the one that didn't get away.

Stolz reeled in a state-record northern pike while fishing on the Allegheny Reservoir in McKean County.

His 35-pound pike replaced the old state-record of 33 pounds, eight onces landed 23 years ago from the same reservoir. The new record fish measured 48 inches long with a girth of 12.5 inches.

Stolz was fishing with a shiner on a treble hook. The fight took almost 20 minutes.

Pennsylvania certifies state records based on total body weight. Record fish must exceed the previous mark by at least one ounce."

WESTERN CRAWFORD COUNTY / WCO Joe Russell

Pymatuning Lake:
The lake was hit hard this weekend with the great weather and thick ice. Fishermen and shed could be seen up and down the lake as far as the eye could see, unfortunately while I was out I was unable to witness any flags going up. I spent the weekend fishing the South end by the pines were we put the gravel beds in demonstrating ice fishing for the winter festival and was not able to get a single nibble. I was not alone though because no one else was hauling anything in either. Where we were there was about 8" of good black ice and several inches of slush on top. I have gotten reports from guys that said they fished out from Tuttle and only had about 4" though. The fishermen I talked to said they had been picking up a few Walleye there during the week but nothing over the weekend. Crappies and a few perch have been taken up at the North end as well but not in great numbers.

Conneaut Lake:
I haven't seen anyone on the lake this week so I am not sure how the fishing is. I do know that it is frozen over completely but I am not sure how thick the ice is yet.

Crystal Lake:
This lake continues to be a Bluegill and bass heaven and guys are taking advantage of it. Today was the first day in a long time that I have not seen fishermen out there but that could be do to all the warm weather yesterday and all the rain we got last night. Don't worry though as I am typing this the temperature has dropped below freezing and the high for the rest of the week is only supposed to be in the 20's.

I have received numerous reports from fishermen that the panfish they are catching are full of worms in the meat and are inedible. I have not seen any of these though so I have no idea yet what they are. If someone happens to run across this and can get the fish to me or to our hatchery at Linesville so we can find out about it, it would be greatly appreciated. All the reports I have received have been about Crystal Lake and Pymatuning Lake only. Thanks for your help in this so we can get the word out to the other fishermen as to what exactly is causing it.

Tionesta Lake :
Ice fishing on Tionesta Lake is picking up. Anglers are catching crappie,
perch and bluegill. The best area to currently fish seems to be around the
main U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launch area. Ice thickness is about 10
inches however the lake is rising causing the shore line ice to break, use
caution.

Tionesta Creek:
The water is open on Tionesta Creek below the dam which could produce some
walleye, pike and an occasional musky.

Trout season is approaching and that means we will be busy in Forest County
stocking numerous trout streams. If you have some free time and would like
to assist us stock trout the following are the dates, times and stream
stocked.

March 07, 2003: East Hickory Creek
West Hickory Creek
Little Hickory Run
Queen Creek
12:30 West Hickory Access
March 20, 2003: Tionesta Creek
12:30 Barnes SR 666 and SR 948
March 21, 2003: Maple Creek
Ross Run
11:30 Marienville Uni-Mart
March 25, 2003: Bluejay Creek
West Branch Millstone
11:30 Marienville Uni-Mart
April 07, 2003: Beaver Run
Big Coon Creek
11:45 Leeper SR 36 and SR 66
April 08, 2003: Salmon Creek
11:30 Marienville Uni-Mart
April 09, 2003: Toms Run
The Branch
11:30 Cook Forest State Park
Brook Trout: 19,840
Brown Trout: 10,360
Rainbow Trout: 7,400

Pymatuning Lake:
People are showing up more and more frequently on the lake now that we have better ice. Tuttle point has been opened for your convenience. The main concentration of fishermen seems to be off of the main beach area on the south west side of the lake, around the handicap point where we put all the gravel bars in this year for fish habitat, at Tuttle point southwest of the boat ramp in the camp area, and off of red cross. I have heard of some sporadic walleye caught off of the main beach and perch being caught at just about all of the areas. Live bait seems to be working the best right now but most guys are also jigging.

Conneaut Lake:
The ice here is thick enough to hold fishermen and shed as was witnessed this weekend. I saw several huts late in the day on the south end behind Nye's Marina and scattered huts throughout the rest of the lake. Watch were you walk here though because this lake has numerous springs that feed it especially on the northeast side and the ice can become very thin in no time at all.

Crystal Lake:
Bass and Bluegill continue to be caught here on a regular basis and guys are still hitting it daily. The key here seems to be mobility though. Drill a couple of holes and jig for a while then if you don't catch anything move to a different area of the lake. Live bait is also the preferred method here.

Don't forget this weekend is the Pymatuning Winter Festival. I will be there doing ice fishing demonstrations, and going into the water to demonstrate ice rescue (twice on Sat. and twice on Sun.). It should prove to be a fun day for the whole family. If you make it be sure you find me and say Hi, It would be great to hear from you.

Pymatuning Lake- almost all of the southern end of the lake is open water with only the bays having some ice on them but only about an inch, and that isn’t good ice. I have heard reports of guys being seen going out from manning on the north end however I wouldn’t recommend it do to the terrible ice conditions. There is just enough ice to not be able to launch a boat but not enough to stand on.

Conneaut Lake- There is open water here to but if someone was so inclined I believe they could launch a boat here. Most of the lake is open still and the firemen’s beach ramp on the south end is still open but our access area at the north is iced in with skim ice. Warm temperatures, winds and snow have prevented the formation of any significant ice being made.

After a brief but much needed Christmas vacation the Western Crawford County Officers are ready to get back to work. Before we do however we have to take a moment and thank all the Sportsmen and Women, Boaters, and fishing enthusiasts who were able to make 2002 another successful and enjoyable year. Without you we would not have a job and it is for you that we work. Out of all the accidents that happened this year here for us none were major and we had NO fatalities. I am including my numbers once again for reference in case you need our assistance in the upcoming year; please feel free to call on us. For myself and my deputies Thanks Again.

(724) 932-5661 Office

(814) 720-1246 Cell

(814) 332-1965 Pager

E-mail: fishcop@alltel.net

Pymatuning Lake and Conneaut Lake- I have not been in the district for the last week and a half to know what is biting right now, however driving back here tonight (12/31/2002) I drove through about 2 hours of rain and there is 4 to 6 inches of rain in my front ditch so I can’t imagine the ice is any good at this time. It is also very warm, probably mid 40’s. I will have more on fishing conditions next week I promise.

The Western Crawford County officers would like to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer John Malec who lost his father just before the Christmas season. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family John.