WCO Report for Erie County 04/15/2009: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: April 14, 2009

Anglers fishing this area are only too well aware of the loss of angling access due to posting. There is really no need at this point to dwell on what has been lost. We are all aware of the crowded conditions we generate and the tension it can cause with local landowners. Future access along the area tribs is in the palms of our hands and it is our choice as sportsmen to treat the given access we have with respect or to lose it all together. This special weekend brings an overlap of steelhead season with opening day of regular trout season making Erie County one of the hottest spots in the state on opening day. In our area this can mean excessively crowded conditions and excessive angling pressure along the tribs. Think about the area you may be fishing and understand that it may be through the generosity of a local land owner that you are able to fish there. Treat these and all areas as if they were your own. If you are fishing near a residential area, keep noise and lights to a minimum and leave with everything you brought in. If an area is posted, respect the rights of those that own it by staying out. Be aware of where you park observing any posted signs and assure that you are not blocking any right of ways. It's really not much to ask when you think about the consequences

Trout and Salmon for Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and the Tributaries: Trout and Salmon regulations changes at 8:00 AM on April 18th for Lake Erie and its tribs, and Presque Isle Bay. Minimum size is 9 in., with a creel limit of 5 (combined species only 2 of which may be Lake trout).

Upcoming Erie Area Kids Derbies:
The Erie Area Sportsmen's clubs hold some of the best kids fishing derbies in the Commonwealth and always do a bang up job supporting youth fishing. These derbies are terrific events for the kids (and great entertainment for the parents) and are always well attended. This is a great introduction to fishing for the youngsters. Get there early for that "hot spot".

The Elk Valley Sportsmen's Club Annual Kids Fishing Derby will be held May 2, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Girard Borough Pond. This event is open to kids 12 years of age and younger. To get the Girard Boro Park turn north on Route 18 in Girard. Turn left on Lake street go several blocks and turn left at the Park Entrance (Lake Street). The pond is at the bottom of the hill.

The Northwestern Sportsmen's Club Kids Fishing Derby will be held May 2, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the NW Sportsmens Club Pond, located at 8114 Route 6N West Springfield PA 16443. This fishing event is open to kids 15 years of age and younger.

The Albion Area Sportsmen's Club Kids Fishing Derby will be held May 17, 2009 from 11:00 a.m until 3:00 p.m. at Surovick's Pond, 10900 Ivarea Rd. Albion PA 16401. The event is open to kids 12 years of age and younger.
A Few Reminders for Opening Day in the Erie Area : It is unlawful to fish or possess trout or salmon in or along any Lake Erie tributary stream from 12:01 a.m. on April 17th until 8 a.m. on April 18th (32 hours total). Anglers fishing the Lake Erie Tributaries on opening day are reminded that a Lake Erie Permit is required along with the Trout stamp.

Boats on the Gravel Pit Pond as well as all PFBC owned waters, require PFBC or DCNR State Parks registration. Internal combustion engines are not permitted. Water temperatures will still be bone chilling on opening day....make sure your safety equipment is in order. A PFD is required for all persons on board. They must be coast guard approved, in good serviceable condition and be easily accessible.

The Fairview Gravel Pit Pond, Lake Pleasant, and the East and West Basin Ponds at Presque Isle State Park were open to trout fishing through March 31st 2009. These areas are now closed to fishing until April 18th, 2009 at 8:00 AM. (The opening day of Trout Season)

Some opening day suggestions:
Tackle:
Light or ultra light spinning or spin cast reels filled with two to four lb. test line are best suited for our area streams. Closed faced reels work best for the kids to avoid tangles. Rods should be no longer than six feet (five feet is better) so you can keep your bait out of trees and away from others while casting. Noodle rods which are popular in our area, can work well to detect those subtle strikes. Tie a short shank, size 10 to 14 hook and add one or two small (size BB or bird seed) split shot 12-18 inches above the hook. The removable type split shot works better as it allows you to change weights easily. If you are using larger baits like whole nightcrawlers, larger hooks (size 6 or 8) might work better. Float the bait under a small float just large enough to carry the bait. Large floats do little more than spook the fish and make it difficult to detect strikes. Adjust the float to keep the bait near the bottom, or as deep as possible at the Gravel Pit Pond

Bait:
Popular trout baits include corn, red worms, night crawlers, crickets, salmon eggs (fresh cured or jarred types in different colors), the powerbaits, marshmallows and the favorite, emerald shiners (everyone has a secret weapon). Try a variety of baits in case the trout are finicky (and they usually are.) Put just enough bait on to just cover the hook, but do not go overboard. For example, on a size 10 hook use: a) one or two pieces of corn or, b) one cricket or, c) one red worm d) one or two salmon eggs or, e) one-third to one-half of a night crawler or a single minnow. Typically the smaller the presentation, the better. It doesn't hurt to watch what the guy catching all the fish is using either (My favorite technique).

VHS Reminder: It is unlawful to transport or cause the transportation of VHS-susceptible species of fish out of the portion of the Lake Erie Watershed in this Commonwealth into other watersheds of this Commonwealth except when certain conditions are met. It is illegal to use VHS-susceptible fish species, fish parts and eggs taken from the Lake Erie Watershed as fishbait in Commonwealth waters outside the Lake Erie Watershed except when the fish are certified as VHS-negative. It is legal to transport dead recreationally caught fish out of the Lake Erie Watershed solely for the purpose of human consumption.

Regarding trout fishing in our area, this includes Lake Erie Emerald Shiners, a popular bait in this area for trout. Many bait shops are now selling certified VHS free shiners for bait and a few are not.

Techniques:
The key to catching trout is to "read" a stream for good spots and then "present" your bait in a natural manner. "Read" the water for spots that offer trout a place to hide from predators while watching for food to drift by. Trout are usually found near the bottom in pools and in slower "pockets" around rocks, boulders. or submerged trees.
Stand downstream of a spot you think a trout might be. "Present" your bait by casting several feet upstream of the target area. Let the bait drift downstream into the target area while slowly reeling in the slack line. If your bait does not tick along the bottom, add more weight to the line. If your bait hangs up on the bottom. take some weight off. Cast two or three times into the same spot. If you do not get a bite, change baits or try a different area if possible. A stop in the downstream drift of your line along with a sharp tap in your line signals a bite. Give the fish a second or two at most to take the bait, then pull back on the rod and set the hook. A strong set is not necessary if you are using sharp hooks.

The Gravel Pit Pond in Fairview is literally a mined out gravel pit and as such is quite deep and pending weather, very clear. Small baits with very light line should be fished deep under a float or without any float at all. With a little patience, you may be rewarded with a tough fight from a beautiful brown trout!

Local Campgrounds in Our Area: The following is a list of a number of local camping areas. There may be others and there may be a few of these that are not open yet. Call ahead to be sure. Many people combine an early season camping trip with the opening day of regular Trout season. Open fires and camping typically are not permitted with out land owner permission and overnight camping on PFBC controlled property is not permitted. This list may be helpful in fulfilling your camping needs

Uncle Johns Elk Creek Campground 575 Elk Creek Road., Lake City, PA. 16423 (814) 774-8672 (bear right at the Elk Creek Sports Store to the bottom of the hill)

Camp Eriez
9356 W. Lake Rd., Lake City, PA 16423 (814) 774-8381

Cassidys Presque Isle Trailer Park & Campground
3749 Zimmerly Rd., Erie, PA 16506 (814) 833-6035

Creekside Campgrounds
10834 Route 89, North East, PA 16428 (814) 725-5523

Erie KOA Kampground
6645 West Rd., Mc Kean, PA 16426 (814) 476-7706

Family Affair Camp Ground
9640 Findley Lake Rd., North East, PA 16428 (814) 725-8112

Follys End Campground
Rt. 98 R D 2, Girard, PA 16417 (814) 474-5730

Harecreek Campground
375 Sciota St., Corry, PA 16407 (814) 664-9684

Erie/Waterford Boondocking
Waterford, PA 16441 (814) 796-1018:

Hemlock Lakes Park
RD 3, Box 83, Spartansburg, PA 16434 (814) 664-2994

Higbys 3-M Campgrounds
24360 Lakeview Dr, Union City, PA 16438 (814) 694-2501

Hill's Family Campground
6300 Sterrettania Rd., Fairview, PA 16415 (814) 833-3272

Lampe Marina Campground
Foot of Port Access Road, Erie, PA 16507 (814) 455-7557 Ext. 234

Liana's Lake Park
10827 Eureka Rd, Edinboro, PA 16412 (814) 734-3201

Moon Meadows Campground
9915 Station Rd., Erie, PA 16510 (814) 725-9360

Pine Lane Campground
11709 W Lake Rd., East Springfield, PA 16411 (814) 774-4808

R & K Campground
6601 Sterrettania Rd., Fairview, PA 16415 (814) 838-1082

Sara's Beachcomber Campground
50 Peninsula Dr., Erie, PA 16505 (814) 833-4560

Virginia's Beach Campground On The Lake
352 Holliday Rd., PO Box 75, North Springfield, PA 16430 (814) 922-3261

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy in the evening...then clearing. Lows in the mid 30s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming east after midnight.

Friday...Mostly sunny. Highs around 60.

Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.

Trout Opener...Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 50s.

Sunday Night...Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 30s.

Monday...Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 50s.

Monday Night...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 30s.

Tuesday...Cloudy. Highs in the lower 50s.