April 19th, 2006WEST ERIE COUNTY, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert Conditions: Area anglers are quickly moving into the spring crappie and perch bite with many anglers spotted around the Bay and along the North and South Piers. Perch fishing in the Bay has been fair to good with anglers doing best at the West End. Bay temperatures are now hovering in the low 50s and have warmed enough to spark the Spring panfish spawn. Some steelhead remain in the Bay but will soon migrate to the Lake as the water warms. Stocked trout will remain in the tribs for another week or two giving anglers additional opportunities and there are still plenty of trout to be landed at the Gravel Pit Pond, Lake Pleasant and the Basin Ponds at Presque Isle. The water temperature off Toledo is 51 degrees, off Cleveland 43, and off shored of Erie, 44 degrees. Clean Up Volunteers Needed: Its no secret that keeping public access areas open along the Erie tributaries goes hand in hand with keeping these areas clean. PA Cleanways in cooperation with the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program will be sponsoring a registered stream side cleanup along Dutch Road at the CSX railroad crossing. The meeting time is Saturday, May 13th, 2006 at 9:00 AM with a rain date scheduled for the following Saturday at the same time if necessary. If you would like to help out, the clean up will begin at the CSX railroad crossing on Dutch Road (section of Dutch Road that is south of Route 5). It is suggested that you wear long pants and sleeves, gloves and sturdy boots or shoes. Lunch and drinks will be provided. To register contact Michelle Dunn, PA. Cleanways at 877-772-3673. For more information go to www.pacleanways.com Walnut Creek Access Update: Dredging is complete for now at the Walnut Creek channel and basin, although a few heavy storms have as usual left the west side of the channel pretty shallow. Boaters exiting the channel should still stay close to the wall and turn towards the East as they enter the lake. Launch ramps are scheduled to be installed this week with the docks being in place in a few weeks. Upon placement of the launch ramps and docks, the basin will be closed to fishing. The offices and restrooms are currently open on weekends with full time hours beginning in the middle of May. The office offers licenses and ice as well as information and a variety of printed information and display items. Elk Valley Sportsmen's Club Kids Fishing Derby: The Elk Valley Sportsmen's Association will be holding its annual fishing derby for kids 12 and under at the Girard Boro Park pond on Saturday, April 29th. Kickoff is at 1:00 PM till 3:00 PM with great prizes and refreshments for the kids. This is a terrific event for the kids (and great entertainment for the parents) and is always well attended. This is a great introduction to fishing for the youngsters. Get there early for that "hot spot". Any child 12 years of age or younger is welcome to join in the fun. Fishing gear and help is available for those kids in need. Club members and PFBC officers are always on hand to help out. (Hint: shiners or meal worms are generally the best bait) Support Your Local Sportsmens' Clubs: The SONS of Lake Erie will have their monthly meeting on Monday April 2006 . Meetings begin at 7:30 PM and are held at the Moniuszko Club, 1209 Reed Street, Erie, PA. Chuck Murray, Biologist for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will be presenting information on perch and walleye catches and the prospects for this fishing season, a must see if you fish Lake Erie and the Bay. Some Changes in the Minimum Age Requirements for Boaters: a.. Persons 11 years of age and younger may not operate a boat 25 horsepower and greater. b.. Persons born on or after January 1, 1982 may not operate a boat greater than 25 horsepower unless they have obtained and have in their possession a Boating Safety Education Certificate c.. There are no operating age restrictions for boats less than 25 horsepower. d.. Persons 11 years of age an younger may NOT operate a personal watercraft e.. Persons 12 through 15 years of age may NOT operate with any passengers on board 15 years of age or younger or rent a PWC f.. All PWC operators must obtain and have in their possession a Boating Safety Education Certificate Local Weather: Wednesday Night Mostly clear in the evening. Then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 60s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Friday Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent. Friday Night Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s. Chance of rain 50 percent. Saturday Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 60. Chance of rain 40 percent. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 40s. Sunday Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 40 percent. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy in the evening...Then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. Monday Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s.
|