WEST ERIE COUNTY, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert
Conditions: This past weekend saw anglers bringing limits of both perch and walleye in. With good wind and wave conditions, the holiday weekend brought many boaters out looking for a few more for the freezer. Tuesday saw a bit of a slow down with anglers indicating that you "had to be right on top of them" to get any perch at all. As long as the lake conditions remain good, perch and walleye angling should be good for a number of weeks.
A few steelhead have been caught at daybreak along the wall at the Walnut Creek Access but the definitive word is few. A very small pod of fish has been observed off and on in the Walnut channel and there are actually a few fish that have made it to the Manchester Hole. Be advised, his is not the starting gun of the season, but it is an indication that conditions are starting to change and a few fish are starting the day break exploratory runs. The tribs are exceptionally low and clear. The Walnut project waters diversion is doing its job well directing water into one of the holes and keeping it clear. Maintenance crews continue to shore up the diversion project and will monitor its progress through out the season. So far it looks great.
A good number of steelhead have been brought in from the deeper waters of the lake with one individual bringing in a Coho Salmon that missed the state record by only a few ounces.
Current Lake Erie water temperatures as of this writing are an average 72 degrees off Toledo, 71 degrees off Cleveland, and 72 degrees off Erie. Current tributary conditions are very low and clear.
NOTE - Important Information Concerning Overnight Anglers and Boaters Using the Walnut Creek Access Area: The Fall steelhead season is fast approaching in Erie County and anglers should be aware that camping on Fish and Boat Commission property is unlawful. Access areas include, Walnut Creek Access Area, Elk Creek Access Area, Sterrettania Access Area, Fairview Gravel Pits, North East Access Area and Eaton Reservoir.
Section 741 (a) Regulation 53.2 (a) It is unlawful for a person to camp overnight on or in Commission-owned or controlled property or waters, to erect a tent or other device used for, or capable of being used for cooking or sleeping, or to build or maintain open fires on such property.
You are in violation of this section if you are sleeping in a vehicle, camper or motorhome on PA Fish and Boat Commission Property.
Please make other accommodations for overnight stays while fishing or boating. Any questions can be directed to the Erie WCO’s or to the PA Fish and Boat Commission, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Northwest Region Office at (814) 337-0444
Support Your Local Sportsmen'sClubs: The PA Steelhead Association will have its monthly meeting beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2005. Note the new location - meetings will be held at the West Lake Bar and Grill banquet room at 4102 West Lake Road (Alternate Route 5) in Erie. The public is welcome. The Club will be holding it annual Big Run Banquet on September 24th. For tickets contact Poor Richards by telephone at (814) 474-5623, or Doug Kramer by email at doug@reelfishn.net. Please use PSA in the subject line when contacting Doug.
Area Trout Limits Changed September 6th: Trout limits for Lake Erie, it's tributaries, and Presque Isle Bay changed effective September 6th. The current limit is three fish of any combination (Steelhead, Coho, Brown) only 2 of which may be Lake Trout.
Fall Bass Season: As the Fall season approaches and the waters of Presque Isle bay start to cool, are anglers can often find some of the best action of the year. Cooler temperatures mean more oxygen which often translates to more action. Most types of presentations can be effective at times from the rattling crank baits, to top water baits, to the plastics. Weedless hooks are almost a must in most areas of Presque Isle Bay.
Local Weather: Wednesday night. Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Thursday. Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent. Thursday night. Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 50s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Friday. Friday night. Saturday. Saturday night. Sunday. Sunday night. Monday. Monday night. Tuesday. |
(71.116.25.230)