WCO Report for Erie County 03/28/2007: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: March 27, 2007

Conditions: The Erie area is now nearly ice free with some drifting ice remaining on the Lake. Most of the run off that has kept the tribs high and flowing is over and the tribs are actually on the low side and very clear as of Tuesday afternoon. There has been no large influx of steelhead and the fish that remain in the tribs are very scattered although there are still plenty of fish to be caught. Anglers have been having some luck in the Walnut Access basin and along the wall and at the mouth of Trout and Godfrey runs. A few anglers have been spotted targeting Spring ice out crappie along the south side of Presque Isle.

Walnut Creek Access Area: Spring clean up has begun at the Walnut Creek Access Area with equipment working to clear the debris that has built up from the winter waves. Channel dredging should be underway soon.

SONS of Lake Erie Annual Ice Out Party: The SONS of Lake Erie will be holding their annual Ice Out Party on April 1st from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Cauley Memorial Auditorium at 215 East Forth Street. This annual fun for all is a great family event with great food and a boat load of prizes with a grand prize of a Yamaha Grizzly 4 x 4 and trailer. Admission at the door is $8.00 at the door for adults and $5.00 fro children under 12. Raffle tickets are $5.00. For more information call (814)453-2270

The SONS will also be holding their annual spring clean up at Cascade Creek on April 7th. Those wishing to pitch in can meet at Frontier Park on West 8th street at 9:30 AM

Annual Open House at the Linesville State Fish Hatchery: The annual Linesville State Fish Hatchery open house is scheduled for April 7th from 12:00 noon until 4:00 PM. This annual is event is a must attend event for the angling family, those new to fishing, and anyone infested in an afternoon of fun and education. Some of the events include kids casting; rigging a rod; making your own fish print T-shirts ($3.00); filleting and cooking demonstrations; live reptiles and amphibians; fish spawning; lake habitat models; talk to agency personnel from boating and education, law enforcement, fisheries management, biologists, habitat management, environmental services, many others; and much more. See you there !

Directions to the Linesville State Fish Hatchery Coming from the East From the intersection of I-80 and I-79, go north on I-79 to exit 147-B at Meadville. Take St. Rt. 322/6 west to Conneaut Lake. Take Rt. 6 west to Linesville. In the middle of town, turn left at the traffic light (Hartstown Rd.) and go one mile to the hatchery on the left.

Directions to the Linesville State Fish Hatchery Coming from the West From Ohio, follow St. Rt. 6 to Ohio Rt. 85. This road goes over the causeway of Pymatuning Reservoir and turns into PA Rt. 285 at the state line in the middle of the reservoir. Take St. Rt. 285 to the 2nd flashing light at Hartstown Road. Romar Homes is on the corner at this intersection. Turn left and continue past the spillway (one mile), past the Pa Game Commission's Pymatuning Wildlife Learning Center approximately one mile to the hatchery on the right.

Take Care Of The Steelhead Smolts:
Steelhead smolts look like small rainbows and are often mistaken for stocked trout. They are typically smaller then the "stockies" and should be carefully released. They hold the future of Steelhead fishing in our area. If a Steelhead smolt is hooked, reel it in quickly without overstressing the fish. Gently release the smolt as quickly as you can. If the hook is swallowed it is generally best to just cut the line and release the fish for the best chance of survival.

Pennsylvania Steelhead Association Spring Tournament: The Pennsylvania Steelhead Association will be holding their annual Spring Tournament (members only). This is a catch and release tournament based on length. Ties are broken by earliest caught. Verification by a fellow member is required for any fish entered. The fun starts at 6:30 AM on Saturday with a banquet for members at the American Legion Post and awarding of prizes starting at 6:00 PM. The tournament is free for all members. New memberships can be obtained at Poor Richards up to the day of the event. Visit the PSA website for further details at www.pasteelhead.org.

West Erie County Trout Stocking Schedule 2007:

Water Area Date Species Meeting Place Time

Upper Gravel Pit April 12 Brown Fairview FCS 09:45 AM

April 28 Brown Fairview FCS 09:45 AM

Crooked Creek April 13 Brown Exit 39 off I-79 10:00 AM

April 30 Brown Fairview FCS 09:30 AM

Elk Creek April 13 Brown Exit 39 off I-79 10:00 AM

Upper Elk Creek April 18 Brown Exit 39 off I-79 09:30 AM

Lower Elk Creek April 30 Brown Fairview FCS 09:30 AM

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.

Friday Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.

Friday Night Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Not as cool with lows in the mid 40s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Saturday Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Saturday Night Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Sunday Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 50s.

Sunday Night Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 30s.

Monday Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 50s.