WCO Report for Erie County: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: August 31, 2005

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on August 31, 2005 at 14:21:10:

WEST ERIE COUNTY, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert

Conditions:

Perch fishing has picked up some what with catches becoming more consistent. As of late, perching has been good in 50 to 55 feet of water north of the Walnut access and north of the point at Presque Isle. Walleye fishing is still fair to good but seems to remain the best in deeper water. Steelhead catches off shore have increased as well.

With overnight temperatures in the 50's and things starting to cool off, steelhead have been staging near the mouths of Walnut Creek and Trout Run. One lone angler fishing the shoreline just west of the wall was observed landing them at will early this past Sunday. A few steelhead have been entering Walnut Creek at night but quickly head for cooler water at daybreak. There have been a few unconfirmed reports of steelhead caught along the shoreline at Trout Run. It is probably not too early to do some early morning trolling near the mouths or to be trying your luck along the shorelines.

The tribs as of Tuesday afternoon were still very low and clear with the remains of hurricane Katrina moving into the area with much needed precipitation.

Current average Lake Erie water temperatures as of this writing are 73 degrees off Toledo, and 74 degrees off Cleveland and Erie.

Change in Lake Erie Perch Regulations:

Lake Erie Perch limits and minimum size requirements will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and become effective September 10th Amendments to the Lake Erie yellow perch regulations will be a creel limit of 30 fish with a minimum size of 7 inches from December 1 through March 31 and 30 fish from April 1st through November 30th with no minimum size limit.

Walnut Creek Project Waters:
After a some delay, dredging of the Walnut Creek Project waters is finally underway. The holes have filled in significantly and dredging will take a number of days to complete. With trib levels low, the work should move quickly and give little or no interruption to the pending steelhead season. Dredging is being done by PFBC maintenance crews. One of the holes will have a water diversion constructed that is designed to funnel the flowing water directly into the hole to create a cleaning effect. Although to many, the diversion structure (see pictures) will look backwards, it has been carefully engineered. The theory is that the flowing water will go over the apex of the structure first and directly into the hole offering a direct cleaning effect. The water at the at going over the structure at the wider areas of the V structure will slow and act as a cushion to keep the faster moving water going to the hole. The structure although temporary, will give engineers insight as to possible permanent enhancements and solutions to keep the holes self cleaning. The timbers have been attached to the trib bed with heavy rebarb sunk up to 6 feet deep.

Boating Safety Tip of the Week:
Always ventilate after fueling. Open hatches, run blower, and most important, carefully sniff for gasoline fumes in the fuel and engine areas before starting your engine.

The Wall:
Anglers fishing the wall along the channel entering Lake Erie at the Walnut Creek Access are again advised that boaters have the right of way angler's lines. Anglers fishing the wall must remove there lines and give way to boaters exiting and entering the channel. Allowing ones line to entangle the prop of a passing boater in this area is a citable offense. Fishing line tangled in a prop can damage an outdrive seal causing oil leaks and possibly extensive damage. Boaters are asked as a courtesy to sound their horn as the exit the basin into the channel to let anglers know to pull their lines.

Labor Day:
The Labor Day week end brings the last outing of the boating season for many and the area weather will often change quickly during the month of September. Although the Fall season can often provide some of the nicest boating and the most beautiful Lake Erie sunsets of the year, the change of seasons along with fast moving fronts can bring rapid and often hazardous changes to wind and wave conditions. Be aware of wind and wave forcasts and always keep and eye on the sky, especially to the west. Boaters traveling long distances to our area will often through caution and common sense to the wind in an effort to land a few fish and will often brave conditions that local boaters know can be dangerous. If in doubt, don't go out and have a safe holiday weekend.

Local Weather:
Wednesday night.
Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 60s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday.
Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday night.
Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

Friday.
Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s.

Friday night.
Partly cloudy in the evening. Then clearing. Lows in the mid 50s.

Saturday.
Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.

Saturday night.
Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s.

Sunday.
Mostly sunny in the morning. Then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s.

Sunday night.
Partly cloudy in the evening. Then clearing. Lows in the lower 50s.

Labor day.
Mostly sunny in the morning. Then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s.

Monday night.
Partly cloudy in the evening. Then clearing. Lows in the mid 50s.

Tuesday.
Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.




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