WCO Report for Erie County 06/20/2007: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: June 19, 2007

Conditions:

As the Lake water temperatures continue to rise Walleye and Perch fishing has been off and on, as always, depending on who you talk to. Walleye seem to be gradually moving to deeper water with success this past weekend coming form 40 to 45' of water. Loose perch schools are forming off of Walnut Creek and the Point at Presque Isle and East of the Hammermill Paper site in 40 to 45' of water. Walleye anglers are picking up the occasional steelhead when trolling for Walleye. Bass fishing is thriving in Presque Isle bay as well. Lake Erie water temperatures as of this writing are degrees off Toledo, degrees off Cleveland, and degrees off the port of Erie.

PFBC Tackle Loaner Program Expands to Include the Walnut Creek Access Office:

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has expanded it's fishing tackle loaner program to include the Walnut Creek Marina Office as one of it's many loaner sites throughout the state. This program is made possible by the PFBC, American Sport Fishing Association and local sponsorships. Anyone 18 years of age or older with proper identification may check out basic fishing tackle. For more information on the program and additional locations that tackle can be borrowed go to Fishing Tackle Loaner Program

Walnut Creek Memorial - Recognition Wall Update from Christie Ferrier:

The Wall and the Sunset garden look terrific. If you haven't been down to see them, please do so..you may even see some folks you know on the engraved pavers. We still have room for you, your family, your friends, your boat or your pet. The 4x8's sell for $50 and the 8x8's are $100. The sale of these and the capstones on top of the wall are what pay for the maintenance of the garden. We are now one of the funds in the Erie Community Foundation so that the interest from the fund will take care of the garden and wall into perpetuity. Think..100 years from now...someone in your family goes to fish or walk at the Marina and looks at the wall and sees his or her family name!!! So.if you are interested, pick up a brochure at the Walnut Creek Marina Office or call or email me before they are sold out. Many persons have used these as Birthday, Anniversary or Christmas gifts. It's a gift that will always be there!!! For more information of paver purchase, contact Christie Ferrier at 474-2577 or cbfbeach@aol.com

Bass Season:

Regular bass season for Lake Erie, it's tributaries, and Presque Isle Bay opened this past weekend taking the daily creel limit to 4 fish with a minimum size limit of 15"

Keeping Minnows lively:
Most will agree that live minnows are far more appealing to a hungry predator than dead ones. Keeping those minnows alive in hot weather in a bucket or live well can be a tricky ordeal, but not impossible. Here are some facts and tips that can keep your bait lively:

1) Rapid temperature changes will shock minnows and will quickly kill them. Whenever possible keep them at the same temperature they were kept or caught in. Add lake water slowly to your bucket to minimize temperature shock
especially if you are going to keep your bucket over the side of the boat.

2) When transporting minnows from the bait shop to the boat, try placing the them in a plastic bag full of water and then in your bucket full of water. This will provide a cushion between the minnows and the bucket and help to keep them from
being banged around during transport.

3) Oxygen, Oxygen, Oxygen...If they can't breath they wont live. A small battery powered aerator in you bucket can dramatically extend minnow life. The smaller the bubbles, the more oxygen is being put into the water. Also, the warmer the
water, the less oxygen it will hold. An insulated minnow bucket can be helpful.

4) Ice in a sealed container can help keep your minnow water cool. Loose ice is not a good idea nor is tap water since it may contain chlorine.

5) Hooking your minnows through the lip or tail (not the body) will keep them alive on the hook longer.

6) If you are keeping your bucket in the boat or are on shore, changing the water frequently will help if you do not have an aerator.

Keeping Worms Lively:
Cool moisture is the key in keeping Crawlers lively. Worm bedding can be purchased at any bait or tackle shop and does an excellent job of retaining the right amount of moisture. Several layers of newspaper or a small cloth on top of the bedding will allow you to place a few ice cubes in your worm box and will allow cool water to seep into the bedding without over saturating. Commercial fish attractants also can be sprayed onto the bedding if desired. Much to the wife's dismay, I have kept crawlers alive in the fridge for months at a time. One has to be careful when waking up for that midnight snack and foraging through the fridge.

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s. West winds around 10 mph...Becoming north after midnight.

Friday

Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Sunday

Partly cloudy. Highs around 80.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. Highs around 80.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s.

Tuesday

Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 80s.