WCO Report for Erie County 08/29/2007: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: August 28, 2007

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on August 28, 2007 at 22:38:38:

August 29th, 2007

West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert

Conditions: Walleye fishing has slowed a bit depending on who you talk to however the perch limits are out there for the taking. Schools are still good north of Walnut Creek and off the point at Presque Isle. A few steelhead are visible in Walnut Creek near the mouth in the early morning hours and there have been a few confirmed catches, however colder weather and rain will be needed before we see any real activity. Lake Erie Water temperature off the Port of Erie is 73 degrees as of this writing.

Labor Day Weekend
The Labor Day Weekend traditionally begins the wind down of boating season in our area, although September and even October often offer many beautiful weekends. It does seem that Labor Day always seems to bring a brisk chill to the night air and with it the start of steelhead season. With calm wind and wave conditions, this Holiday weekend can be one of the busiest of the season. Be sure your boat has all the required safety equipment, be aware of the possibility of rapid weather changes and fast moving storm fronts and remember that boating and alcohol can be a dangerous combination. Have a safe Holiday weekend and remember that your PFD doesn't work unless you are wearing it. With a few steelhead starting to show and perch and walleye fishing at their peak, launch ramps and parking at both the Walnut and Elk Creek Accesses and Trout Run will be reaching capacity. Patience and courtesy will be the keys to an enjoyable late summer and fall fishing and boating season.

Review of Local Area Regulations: Designated as Nursery Waters are Trout Run and its tributaries, Godfrey Run, Orchard Beach Run and Crooked Creek (where posted). It is unlawful to fish, wade or possess fishing equipment while in or along Lake Erie tributary streams designated as Nursery Waters.

Archery fishing or spear fishing is prohibited in or along Lake Erie tributary streams.

From September 4th until the opening day of trout season in April, all Lake Erie tributary streams are closed to fishing from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following day except for Walnut Creek and Elk Creek north of Route 5.

Anglers fishing the wall at the Walnut Access are required to yield their lines to boats entering and exiting the channel. Boats have the right of way.

It is unlawful to fish from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following day within 50 yards of the mouth of both Trout Run and Godfrey Runs while fishing the Lake Erie shoreline.

Effective September 4th the daily creel limit for trout on Lake Erie and its tributaries is 3 fish (any combination of steelhead, browns, or coho) with a minimum size of 15". Only 2 of the 3 may be lake trout.

Fish Eggs:
It is unlawful for a person to sell, offer for sale, purchase or barter any fish parts or fish eggs obtained from fish taken from Lake Erie and its tributaries (or any other Commonwealth waters including boundary waters). This prohibition does not apply to fish parts or fish eggs (1) lawfully taken and sold or offered for sale by holders of a Lake Erie commercial fishing license if the particular species of fish is authorized for taking by commercial licensees, or (2) those obtained from fish taken lawfully from waters outside of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Review of Regulations Governing the Walnut Creek Access Area and all Commission Controlled Properties:

Overnight camping, building or maintaining open fires, swimming, and picking, cutting, or digging flowers, plants, shrubs and trees is prohibited. Sleeping overnight in vehicles or boats is construed as camping.

The leaving or disposal of any rubbish on Commission property is prohibited unless placed in containers, if provided for this purpose. Disposal of any refuse accumulated off Commission property is prohibited.

Any personal, organizational or commercial use other than normally intended fishing and boating activities is prohibited, except that the executive director or his designee may issue permits to organizations for the use of Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission properties, when it is determined that such use will not damage Commission property and will not interfere with normal usage by others.

The removal or defacing of any sign, poster or property is prohibited, and it shall be unlawful to damage in any manner any lands or to interfere with any device or structure, or to alter or interfere with the flow of water over or through any structure.
Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only. Blocking or obstructing driveways, access roads or launch ramps is prohibited.

No person may construct, place or maintain any structure, fixture or any other tangible property on or in Commission-owned or Commission-controlled property or waters without a permit from the executive director or his designee. Persons are further prohibited from encroaching upon Commission property in any manner incompatible with public use.

A vehicle properly registered and operated in conformance with the Vehicle Code (except all-terrain vehicles) is permitted on Commission-owned or Commission-controlled property on those areas that are open to vehicular traffic such as roadways, driveways, launch ramps and designated parking areas. It is unlawful to operate a vehicle on Commission property on (a) roads not open to the public, (b) in a negligent or reckless manner, (c) in a manner that obstructs or impedes public access to driveways, access roads and launch ramps, (d) in a manner not in conformance with the posted traffic control signs or devices, (e) on forested areas, grasslands, wetlands and lands under cultivation, and (f) on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers or streams. The use of off-road motorized vehicles, including trail bikes, Tote Gotes, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), air-cushioned vehicles, track vehicles, hydrofoils and the like, is prohibited.

Fishing from boats is prohibited in the Walnut Creek channel and basin. Shore fishing is allowed in the basin ONLY at places and times designated.

Trespassing on Fish & Boat Commission property is prohibited where posted.

If you are new to the area or uncertain of local regulations applicable to Lake Erie and its tributaries, be advised to take a moment and read your 2007 Summary of Pennsylvania Fishing Regulations and Laws (normally given out when you purchased your license). Consider this advice fair warning for the season. Summary books are available at most licensing agents as well as the Walnut Creek Access office

Local Weather: Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning. Cooler with highs in the mid 70s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Thursday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.

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

Friday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s.

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

Saturday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s.

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

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s.

Labor Day...Partly cloudy. Highs around 80




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