FISHING REPORT - SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

Steve Udick's 44 1/2-inch Allegheny River muskie. Steve Udick photo.

Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay Rough weather put the kibosh on fishing this week. Prior reports included smallmouth bass in 30 to 50 feet, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass on drop-shot rigs in 17 to 25 feet just outside the bay. The bay was yielding crappies up to 14 and16 inches, with the Duck Border Patrol dock and Presque Isle Marina productive spots. Big bluegills were reported off the south pier. Largemouth bass were hitting rubber worms in 8 to 12 feet on the outside edge of weed beds Sept.1. Other anglers reported numbers of small bass. A few steelhead were at the creek mouths.Lake LeBoeuf (Erie County) Bill Logan of Pleasantville caught a 35-inch northern pike while casting a curly-tail bait for muskies. Union City Reservoir (Erie County) Shore anglers were releasing northern pike on shiners and minnows by the dam in recent weeks. Allegheny River/Allegheny Reservoir (Warren County)Terry Schrader of Warren landed two walleyes, 24 inches, 5 ½ pounds and 23 inches, 5 ¼ pounds, in the outflow of the Kinzua Dam. Catfish were hitting at night. The reservoir was yielding white bass.Pymatuning Lake (Crawford County) Cooler nights made walleyes a little more active, with 22- to 26-inch fish reported by anglers drifting jigs and crawlers. Crappies were hitting minnows in 14 to 20 feet. Conneaut Lake (Crawford County)Chad Templin of Saegertown and a buddy caught a dozen bass about 2 pounds drop-shotting the outside weed lines the morning of Sept Canadohta Lake (Crawford County) Bill Logan of Pleasantville caught a 5 ½-pound largemouth bass. Other anglers reported bass and northern pike. A Union City angler caught a 7 ½-pound largemouth. French Creek (Crawford, Venango counties) An angler caught two northern pike on a white bucktail spinnerbait, and released a 20-inch smallmouth bass.Allegheny River (Venango County) Catfish were the main catch, with flatheads biting on live bait. Steve Udick of Oil City released a 44 1/2-inch muskie on a 4-inch tube jig while targeting bass near Oil City. Other anglers caught smallmouth bass up to 17 inches on rubber worms in various depths. Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County)Bluegills were being taken on waxworms, while crappies, 8 to 10 inches, were hitting minnows. Largemouth bass, 14 to 17 inches, were reported on crankbaits in about 11 feet of water. Rich Black of Slippery Rock and Rich Burnside of Clintonville released 10 largemouths up to 17 inches. Lake Arthur (Butler County)A fair number of largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegills were reported, along with a few striped bass in the evenings.Glade Run Lake (Butler County)Small-size bass and bluegills were reported. Allegheny RiverBass up to 3 pounds, a couple of 15-inch walleyes, and the occasional flathead catfish were hitting on the bottom near the dams, mostly from shore. Highlights of the Downtown TriAnglers’ Wednesday outing on the North Shore included a 20-inch smallmouth buffalo released by Tom Lippert of Spring Garden, and a 19-inch channel catfish released by Dave Gaborek of Bethel Park.Monongahela RiverBig flathead catfish were biting live bluegills and chicken livers. Channel cats and freshwater drum also were reported. Ohio RiverRuss Greshauk of McKees Rocks caught a 26-inch, 6-pound 2-ounce walleye, and two other walleyes 19 and 17 1/2 inches on 4-inch white twister tails in the back channel, Sept. 3. Youghiogheny RiverA slow bite was reported despite last Friday’s state trout stocking, but some nice smallmouth bass were caught on crayfish between the Casselman River mouth and Ramcat Run. Youghiogheny Reservoir (Fayette County)Five anglers boated 23 smallmouth bass up to 18 inches and some nice perch in 15 to 18 feet. Other anglers caught channel catfish near the Route 40 bridge. Cross Creek Lake (Washington County)Largemouth bass and crappies were reported amid light fishing pressure. Keystone Lake (Armstrong County)Largemouth and smallmouth bass were reported. A few walleyes were hitting near Reefer’s Cove.Glendale Lake (Cambria County)Crappies, a few nice-size northern pike, and bowfin were reported. Clover Reservoir (Cambria County)A good perch bite was reported in recent weeks. Wilmore Dam (Cambria County) Anglers were catching bass in recent weeks. Yellow Creek Lake (Indiana County)Perch and a few walleyes and bass were reported. Hemlock Lake (Indiana County) Small numbers of mostly small-size bass and northern pike were reported. Lake Somerset (Somerset County)Crappies were hitting off the pier. Channel catfish and a few largemouth bass also were reported just prior to the drawdown that began this week. Quemahoning Reservoir (Somerset County)One angler caught 27-inch walleye. Others caught a few northern pike and some smallmouth bass.

MONSTER PIKE BOATED IN ALLEGHENY RESERVOIR

Jim Sprankle pike. Grizzly Gary Bait and Tackle photo.

Although he set out to boat a big muskie on the Allegheny Reservoir, Jim Sprankle caught what was, inch for inch, a more spectacular fish---a 49 ¼-inch northern pike.
The 42 year old Indiana County lure maker caught the 26-pound 12-ounce behemoth with 22 ¼-inch girth around 7:30 pm, Aug. 25. He was trolling one of his own 11-inch jointed plugs---a red and white Sprankle’s Pile Diver---21 feet down in 22 feet of water at about 3.2 miles an hour, he said.“I thought I had a nice muskie on,” said Sprankle, who didn’t get much of a fight on 100-pound test. “It gave a couple of good tugs and came right to the boat. When it came to the surface and turned sideways, I kind of flipped out. I was like, ‘Holy *#@, it’s a pike! I can’t believe it!’”
His buddy Chris Costello, also of Indiana, netted the fish. Sprankle knew instantly he would keep it. “I’ve been muskie fishing 12 years and I’ve let 50 pike go in my lifetime, but this was a quick decision,” he said. “I don’t like killing fish, but I know I’ll never catch another one that big again. It will help out our business.”Sprankle makes solid plastic floating lures marketed wholesale under the brand name Sprankle’s Bait. The Allegheny River watershed is known for yielding monster pike, including the state record---a 35-pounder iced New Year’s Day in 2000. The reservoir and river also produced four of the five largest pike caught anywhere in the state last year. Sprankle’s fish was bigger than all but one----a 30-pounder Rex E. Moretti caught in the Allegheny River watershed in Warren.“This is a giant pike even by Canadian standards,” Sprankle said of his trophy. “The really neat part is most people don’t even catch a muskie this size.”Sprankle thinks the Allegheny Reservoir’s pike fishery has gotten even better in recent years, an observation backed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. “The number of pike does appear to be improving. We’ve surveyed some good year classes,” said agency biologist Tim Wilson. “Pike like cool, deep water, which the Allegheny Reservoir has. Not many pike grow to the size of (Sprankle’s) fish because pike are aggressive and easily caught. They just aren’t left to live long enough to get that big.”Sprankle took his pike into Grizzly Gary Outdoors, a Warren County tackle shop owned by radio personality Gary Wert, who also maintains a website, where Sprankle’s feat soon became the topic of the day. It generated kudos as well as a debate about whether Sprankle should have harvested his catch. In an informal website poll, respondents favored catch and release. Someone named Buckhorn posted the following: “I would take pics, measure, and get a reproduction made up. That way, someone else can get enjoyment out of catching a trophy fish, too, and hopefully they would do the same and release it. To me, there is no sense in killing a trophy fish just for the sake of mounting it.”
In contrast, Big Buck posted: “I release many, many fish. But if I got what I figured to be a true trophy, like a 50-plus musky, it would go to the taxidermist. They make those complete fakes now, but, hey, it's fake. A true trophy fish has lived many years and spawned many times; its job is done.”Wert and his shop partner Tim Kolstee differed in their opinions, too, with Kolstee defending harvest of a trophy and Wert leaning toward release. “I understand you get it mounted and tell stories for years and years and have something to show your kids and grandkids, but I’d have let it go to live and fight another day, and in a couple of months it might have become the new state record,” Wert said.

FISHING REPORT SEPTEMBER 3, 2010

Chris Wolfgong with 30-inch Allegheny River northern pike. Chris Wolfgong photo.

Lake ErieThe perch bite was excellent midweek straight out of Walnut Creek in 47 to 55 feet. Walleye fishing slowed a little, but mixed sizes were still coming in the first and second trenches in 75 to 80 feet. Anglers were also picking up a few steelhead up to 10 pounds while trolling for walleyes. Although a few brown trout and even fewer steelhead have been showing up at the creek mouths overnight, it is not worth a trip to Erie to target them, according to Poor Richard’s Bait and Tackle.Allegheny River/Allegheny Reservoir (Warren County)White bass were active for anglers drifting golden shiners in the reservoir. One angler limited out on walleyes in Willow Bay. Catfish were biting in the river. Pymatuning Lake (Crawford County) The walleye bite improved last weekend, with anglers doing well on jigs and crawlers in 14 to 22 feet. Crappies were hitting in 14 to 20 feet around stumps, brushpiles and other structure. A few slabs up to 15 inches were reported. A few muskies up to 39 inches were released by anglers trolling plugs. Conneaut Lake (Crawford County)Butch Ritter and his son won last weekend’s local bass tournament with a limit totaling 14 ½ pounds, including the lunker---a 6 1/3-pounder caught on a drop-shot rig. Bass in mixed sizes, including many sublegals, were reported by other anglers. Tamarack Lake (Crawford County)
Slow fishing was reported, with small panfish hitting fathead minnows and red worms. Woodcock Creek Lake (Crawford County)A few walleyes and smallmouth bass were reported this week. Canadohta Lake (Crawford County)
Bill Logan of Titusville reported three muskie “follows” on a 10-inch lure and brought a 24-inch walleye to the boat. A few largemouth bass were reported. Allegheny River (Venango County)Anglers reported very good smallmouth fishing, with big numbers in mixed sizes from sub-legal to 18 ½ inches over the past couple of weeks. Chris Wolfgong caught a 30-inch northern pike Sunday. Chuck Sari and his son caught 21 smallmouths and four walleyes on live chubs last weekend, but the walleye bite was spotty.Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County)Al Means of Sandy Lake released three bass, averaging 2 to 3 pounds, in 12 feet, Wednesday. Warm water in recent days has sent fish deeper. Small panfish also were reported. Lake Arthur (Butler County)Dan Lynn of Renfrew caught a 5 ½-pound, 21 ¼-inch largemouth bass with 15-inch girth Sunday. Water temperatures had dropped to the mid-70s prior to this week’s heat wave. A little evening hybrid striper and walleye action was reported. Catfish were hitting. The crappie bite slowed. Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio riversRon Pate and Mike Rychorcewicz, both of Butler, won last Saturday’s Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit tournament out of the Southside’s Riverfront Park, with a 6-fish limit totaling 8 1/3 pounds. Dan Lyle of Kittaning caught the 2 ¼-pound lunker. In all, 86 two-person teams caught 176 fish totaling 193 ½ pounds, including 159 smallmouths, 1 largemouth, and 16 spotted bass. Eleven teams weighed limits.Cross Creek Lake (Washington County)
Bluegills and crappies remained the dominant catch again this week, with the bass and walleye bites down. Anglers were catching larger bluegills drifting mealworms and maggots in the deeper water. Crappies were hitting in 10 to 15 feet for anglers trolling yellow and brown Joe’s Flies or prop jigs tipped with minnows. Youghiogheny RiverA trout-stocking by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was slated for today.Youghiogheny Reservoir (Fayette County)Lee Dively of Confluence released a 19-inch smallmouth and other anglers reported limits earlier this week.Virgin Run Dam (Fayette County)The fish and boat commission is slated to begin drawing down water to control aquatic plant management next week.Somerset Lake, Highpoint Lake (Somerset County)The fish and boat commission is slated to begin drawing down water for plant control next week. Raystown Lake (Huntingdon County)A slow bite was reported for largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass.

FISHING REPORT AUGUST 27, 2010

Gavin Smith with Conneaut Lake smallmouth bass. Darl Black photo.

Lake Erie When conditions allowed, the perch bite picked up this week, with nice catches in 50 to 55 feet out of Trout and Godfrey runs and Walnut Creek. Walleye action remained good in 75 to 80 feet, with the water northeast of Walnut Creek, including the area near the condos, more productive than water straight out of Walnut. Tim Kolstee of Jamestown, NY and friends caught nice walleyes up to 9 pounds in 45 to 55 feet out of Northeast. They also released a number of freshwater drum. Anglers reported smallmouth bass up to 5 pounds 14 ounces. Allegheny River (Warren County)Jim Sprankle of Indiana, PA, caught a 49 ¼-inch, 26-pound 12-ounce northern pike Wednesday night. Chris Costello of Indiana caught a 47-inch 27-pound muskie on a big plug earlier this week. Terry Schrader of Warren caught a 6-pound, 24-inch walleye night-fishing. An 11-pound 34-inch walleye was reported near Tidioute. Allegheny Reservoir (Warren County)Walleyes were hitting, and white bass were turning on in the NY side of the reservoir. Pymatuning Lake (Crawford County)Crappies were hitting jigs in 12 feet of water over brushpiles. One angler caught three keeper walleyes drifting nightcrawlers. Another angler reported a 44-inch muskie. Conneaut Lake (Crawford County)Bob Hornstorm of Meadville and friends released three bowfins, two northern pike, two smallmouth bass around 14 inches, and lost a 4-pound-plus largemouth bass in recent days.
French Creek (Crawford County)A few small bass were reported in lower than normal water flow. Allegheny River (Venango County)Catfish were hitting at night and small-size smallmouth bass in the early morning and late evening hours. Very few walleyes were reported.Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County)Tough angling was reported in recent days by anglers targeting walleyes, bass and panfish.
Lake Arthur (Butler County)Water was in the mid-70 degree range in recent days. Catfish, largemouth bass, walleyes and crappies were reported in the early morning and evening hours.Allegheny River Fishing was average in recent days, with numbers of small-size smallmouth bass hitting around the islands downstream of Lock No. 3 and some large flathead catfish, 28 and 30 inches, landed from shore. A 40-inch muskie was released near the mouth of Deer Creek in recent weeks.Monongahela RiverSteve Burke of Jefferson caught some nice channel catfish up to 18 inches. Youghiogheny Reservoir Anglers reported nice numbers of smallmouth bass and some perch. Chris Lytle of Ursina caught a 19 ¾-inch smallmouth. Park Nicklow of Madison caught a 27-inch channel catfish.Youghiogheny RiverBill Devine caught a 13-pound carp to lead the Shad Lure Bait and Tackle August Carp Contest.Fishing was generally slow in recent days. A Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission trout stocking is slated for Sept. 3. Lake Somerset (Somerset County)After-dark angling for crappies was productive in recent days. Cross Creek Lake (Washington County)Anglers were catching larger bluegills drifting mealworms and maggots in the deeper water. Crappies were hitting in 10 to 15 feet for anglers trolling yellow and brown Joe’s Flies or prop jigs tipped with minnows. Largemouth bass were hitting perch-colored crankbaits. Deep Creek Lake (Maryland)Nice-size walleyes and bass were reported along with panfish.Spring Creek (Centre County)Good morning fishing with tricos, caddis, terrestrials and midges was reported in clear, average flow as of yesterday. Anglers are advised to avoid trout streams when water reaches 70 degrees, so as not to stress fish.

FISHING REPORT AUGUST 20, 2010

Kevin Sari with 28-inch Allegheny River walleye boated in recent days. Chuck Sari photo.

Lake Erie Water was rough some days this week, but when conditions allowed, anglers were catching walleyes in 70 to 75 feet off the condos and east of the condos. A number of large walleyes were reported, including the 31 ½-inch, 10-pounder caught by Jason Steiner, 11, of the Pittsburgh area. Perch remained spotty, with catches coming off Trout Run and Walnut Creek in 50 to 55 feet. Allegheny River, Allegheny Reservoir (Warren County)A few walleyes were hitting in the river late in the evening, and the smallmouth bass bite was starting. Decent-size rainbows and browns were reported in the trophy trout section. In the reservoir, anglers were picking up walleyes and northern pike in the deeper water. Nice numbers of perch were hitting around structure in shallower water. Pymatuning Lake (Crawford County)The best bite in recent days was large channel catfish, although a few anglers were trolling Hot n Tots for walleyes and coming up with an occasional keeper. Crappies were hitting in the deep brush piles. Largemouth bass were taking soft plastic rigs around weed beds, mostly in shallow water. Numbers were good, but fish were running under 2 ½ pounds. Conneaut Lake (Crawford County) The deep weed beds were yielding nice largemouth bass, with some anglers doing well on tubes and ½-ounce jigs in green pumpkin color. Smallmouth bass and northern pike also were hitting. Canadohta Lake (Crawford County) Northern pike up to 24 inches were hitting off the docks on live shiners and crankbaits. Largemouth bass were being caught around shallow lily pads on frog patterns and soft, plastic weedless-rigged lures. French Creek (Crawford, Venango counties) Low, warm conditions shut down the walleye bite, but a few smallmouth bass were reported by anglers fishing green tubes or orange jigs with brown trailers in the water just north of Meadville. One angler caught a northern pike. Allegheny River (Venango County)Anglers reported nice walleye catches from 16 to 28 inches in recent weeks. Smallmouth bass up to 19 ½ inches also were hitting. One angler did well on smallies with 2-inch soft plastic minnow patterns in about 17 feet, while others reported topwater action in the early morning and late-day hours. A dandy catfish bite was reported on live and cut baits. Dawn Whitley of Franklin caught a 32-inch, 14-plus pound flathead in recent weeks.
Justus Lake (Venango County)Nice numbers of smallmouth bass were hitting in shallow water near drop-offs, but sizes were generally small.Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County)Slow catch rates were reported on panfish, bass and walleyes. Lake Arthur (Butler County)Ernie Pate, Jr., of Butler, Jr. and Ken Pate of Chicora won last Saturday’s Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit tournament with a six-fish limit of 15 ¾ pounds. Steve Matecka of Curtisville caught the lunker, a 5-pound 6-ounce largemouth. A total of 129 bass, including 123 largemouths and 6 smallmouths, totaling 289 ¾ pounds were released. Only half of the 94 two-person teams caught fish, and just seven 6-fish limits were taken.Allegheny RiverSlow to average fishing was reported in recent days. The Venture Outdoors Downtown TriAnglers caught flathead and channel catfish up to 20 inches from the North Shore, Wednesday, as well as a 20 ½-inch smallmouth buffalo released by Tommy Lippert of Spring Garden. Monongahela RiverEthan Daerr of Jefferson Hills leads the Shad Lure Bait and Tackle August Carp Contest with a 5-pound carp caught August 12. A few smallmouth bass also were reported. One angler caught walleyes trolling around New Eagle in the evenings. Ohio RiverModerate temperatures increased fishing pressure mid-week, with average catches reported.Youghiogheny Reservoir (Fayette County)Four anglers caught 20 smallmouth bass, 14 to 18 ½ inches, mostly in shallow water on the Maryland side, Monday. They also caught average-size bluegills, rock bass and perch, and a few catfish. Water levels were low in recent days.

FISHING REPORT AUGUST 13, 2010

PA Fish and Boat Commission photo of Lake Erie walleye caught week of August 9.


Lake ErieVery good walleye catches, including a number of 7- to 10-pounders were reported in 65 to 75 feet all over the lake in recent days. Perch were spotty, with the best yields in 55 to 60 feet. An occasional steelhead was reported in the deeper water. Allegheny River, Allegheny Reservoir (Warren County)A 36-inch muskie was released on a crawler by Dave Cressley of Warren off the handicapped pier in the tailrace of Kinzua Dam. Decent trout catches were reported in the river. Five sub-legal walleyes were released Saturday. In the reservoir, two anglers reported slow fishing on the New York side Saturday, catching just a white bass and a perch. Pymatuning Lake (Crawford County)The walleye and crappie bites slowed in this week’s hot weather, with no legal walleye catches reported. Yellow perch were hitting in small to average sizes. Numbers of catfish were reported. Conneaut Lake (Crawford County)Spotty action is reported on white bass, which abound in this lake, with most surface bites coming in the morning. French Creek (Crawford, Venango counties)A few smallmouth bass were reported in recent days. Allegheny River (Venango County)Decent numbers of smallmouth bass up to 16 inches were reported in recent days. Dale Black caught a 20 ¾-incher in fast water the evening of August 4. Last Saturday’s bass bite was slower, but a 2 ½-foot long flathead catfish was landed.Beaver Creek Ponds (Clarion County)Nice catches of largemouth bass were reported in recent weeks on this series of ponds off Route 208 near Kahle Lake. Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County)A few walleyes and largemouth bass were hitting in recent days, while crappies and bluegills were caught in 11 feet. A few anglers were landing panfish under the main causeway.Lake Oneida (Butler County)Tony Smith Sr. caught a 5-pound largemouth bass in recent weeks. Lake Arthur (Butler County)Largemouth bass and channel catfish were the active species in this week’s heat, and boaters needed to get into water at least 10 feet deep for most catches. Allegheny RiverA few keeper-size walleyes were reported at lock 3 dam. Flathead catfish also were hitting. Gerald Grove of Verona caught a 9-pound 8 ounce walleye August 7.
Ohio RiverMinimal angling was reported in this week’s heat, with most action in the evenings. Carp and catfish were hitting along the Emsworth lock wall and a few smallmouth bass along riprap on the back channel of Neville Island. Youghiogheny Reservoir (Fayette County)A group of anglers boated three bullhead catfish up to 14 inches, two channel cats 21 to 24 inches, nine bluegills about 9 inches, five rock bass about 8 inches, two perch, including a 14 incher, and 11 smallmouth bass up to 16 ½ inches. Cross Creek Lake (Washington County)Crappies and bluegills were hitting in 11 to 15 feet. Anglers were catching up to 15 crappies per trip, jigging or trolling. Bass and saugeyes were reported in 14 to 25 feet, although bass catch rates have been slower than in previous summers. Raystown Lake (Huntingdon County)Dave Smigas of Munhall and Dennis McKinney of Huntingdon caught 11 striped bass, 15 to 35 pounds, trolling white jigs with white trailers on lead core line at 2 miles an hour, drifting or trolling alewife and shad at 16 feet down on side planers and bobbers, or fishing from the bank at night.

BOWFINS MAKING A COMEBACK

PA Fish and Boat Commission biologist Tim Wilson with Conneaut Lake bowfin. PAFBC photo.


This prehistoric species is showing up in big numbers in parts of northwest Pennsylvania. Although protected from harvest, the bowfin could one day be managed as a sportfish in Pennsylvania. For more, visit http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10220/1078261-358.stm

FISHING REPORT - AUGUST 6, 2010

Jake Black with Allegheny River smallmouth bass.

Dale Black photo


Lake ErieWhen conditions allowed, anglers were making nice catches of walleyes in various depths around the lake, from 30 to 53 feet and from 65 to 75 feet. Ron Milavec of Pittsburgh caught an 8-pound 12-ounce walleye in recent weeks. The perch bite picked up, with catches coming in 53 to 58 feet out of Walnut Creek and the point of the peninsula. Allegheny River, Allegheny Reservoir (Warren County)Jeff Baker of Warren released two nice walleyes up to 22 inches in the tailrace of the river while fly fishing for trout at night. In the reservoir, walleyes were deep, at least 25 feet, and smallmouths were running small to average. Kahle Lake (Clarion County)Boat-launching remains difficult because of low water levels during dam repair work, but anglers were catching largemouth bass up to 15 inches on topwater frogs, and weightless stick worms around weed beds. Bluegills were hitting on jigs tipped with maggots or waxworms. Allegheny River (Venango County)Local anglers caught smallmouth bass up to 18 inches mostly on crankbaits and soft plastic stickbaits in last Saturday’s low, stained water. French Creek (Venango County)A white fly hatch was reported in the lower reaches in recent days. Woodcock Creek Lake (Crawford County)Smallmouth bass were hitting on crankbaits. A 40-inch muskie was released on a perch-colored bait last week. Canadohta Lake (Crawford County)There was an unconfirmed report of an angler catching a 54 ½-inch muskie in recent weeks. Conneaut Lake (Crawford County)Steve Hughes and Lou Wilson won last Friday’s Sixth Annual United Way Bass Classic with 8 bass totaling 20-plus pounds. Their biggest bass, almost 5 pounds, was the tournament lunker. Most bass were caught on jigs pitched into weeds and on drop-shot rigs fished along the deep weedline in about 15 feet of water. Pymatuning Lake (Crawford County)Numbers of largemouth bass up to 16 inches were reported, many in 2 to 3 feet of water. A 5-pounder was released. Walleye fishing slowed in warm water temperatures, but nice numbers of catfish were reported. Two 40-inch muskies were released.Shenango Reservoir (Mercer County)Water in the 80-plus degree range sent fish into the deeper river channel. Catfish remained active in recent days. Bessemer Lake (Lawrence County)Largemouth bass were reported, but sizes were running small. Lake Oneida (Butler County)Nice catches of largemouth bass up to 5 pounds were reported in recent days. Lake Arthur (Butler County)Good panfishing was reported, along with evening action on channel catfish and hybrid striped bass. A few walleyes were hitting jigs and crawlers.Allegheny/Monongahela/Ohio riversThe best reports in recent days were from the Monongahela, where anglers were releasing numbers of smallmouth bass and channel catfish. The Mon also was yielding large bluegills around Charleroi and Elizabeth. The Allegheny and Ohio were fishing slower, with a few small channel catfish reported on the Allegheny this week. Youghiogheny Reservoir (Fayette County)John Spittal of Ursina and friends boated about a dozen bluegills, 8 and 9 inches, four smallmouth bass, 13 to 15 inches, and two rock bass last Monday. They report water levels were dropping.

NICE CATCH!

Ryan Roberts photo




Ryan Roberts of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan landed a male sockeye salmon on the Kenai River near Cooper Landing, Alaska. Roberts caught it right below the confluence of the Russian River and the Kenai River.

WALLEYE-SAUGEYE-SAUGER MIX HEALTHY ON WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA RIVERS

PA Fish and Boat Commission photo














PA Fish and Boat Commission biologist Gary Smith holds walleye (left) and saugeye (right) at Dunlap Creek Lake.

FISHING REPORT JULY 30, 2010

Chub Hornstein with Conneaut Lake bass

Lake ErieWhen conditions allowed, walleyes were hitting in 65 to 75 feet of water along most of the Pennsylvania shoreline, from the Ohio line to Northeast. Perch were spotty, with the better catches in 55 to 60 feet out of Walnut Creek and the point of the peninsula. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission weighed a 1-pound 9-ounce perch this week. Dave Bittinger of Apollo caught a 38 ¾-inch, 25 ½-pound lake trout with 25 ½-inch girth fishing with charter captain Dick Torrelli in 102 feet.Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County)Crappies remained unusually active, with fish coming on small jigs off brushpiles in about 14 feet. Largemouth bass were hitting in the weedbeds. The walleye bite has slowed, with just an occasional fish reported by anglers trolling plugs or crawler harnesses. Channel catfish were hitting. Conneaut Lake (Crawford County)A good largemouth bass bite was reported in recent days on a variety of lures, from topwaters to drop-shot rigs. One bass angler released a bowfin. Chub Hornstein released 12 to 16 largemouths and two smallmouth bass over three hours by swimming a 4-inch soft plastic bait along weed lines. He caught some nice crappies on a 1-inch soft plastic minnow. FLW pro Dave Lefebre of Union City caught largemouth bass, including a couple of 4-plus-pounders by skipping under pontoon boats, and a 6-pounder on a mid-lake hump Sunday afternoon. Tamarack Lake (Crawford County)An evening crappie bite was reported, with small minnows the ticket. Woodcock Lake (Crawford County)Crappies were reported around habitat with a combination of rocks and weeds. Canadohta Lake (Crawford County)Some northern pike were reported on golden shiners, spinnerbaits and spoons with soft plastic trailers. Largemouth bass were hitting at night with anglers doing best on surface baits. French Creek (Crawford, Venango counties)A few anglers were catching smallmouth bass on soft-shell crayfish from the stream in the Crawford County portion, and bass and walleyes were reported downstream of the confluence with Big Sugar Creek in Venango County. Earlier this week, water was running high and dark. Allegheny River (Venango County)Anglers were catching smallmouth bass up to 18 ½ inches, depending on conditions. Water Monday was chocolate-colored. A 21-inch walleye was reported. Justus Lake (Venango County)Anglers were catching a few largemouth bass in recent days. Shenango Lake (Mercer County)Warm water temperatures sent crappies deeper. An excellent catfish bite was reported.
Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County)A few bass and walleyes and numbers of small panfish were reported. Lake Arthur (Butler County)A fair number of crappies in mixed sizes up to 1 pound were reported. Walleyes were hitting in the evening. A few hybrid stripers were reported. Channel catfish up to 24 inches and largemouth bass were hitting.Allegheny RiverPete Maltese boated a 29-inch walleye below lock 3 Tuesday in slightly high, off-color water. Winners of the Lock Three Bait and Tackle Shop annual multi-species fishing tournament were Mike Shook’s 29- inch carp, Tony Reamer’s 31 ¾-inch flathead catfish, Dean Kestner’s19 ¼-inch smallmouth, and Chuck Connor 19 ¾ inch walleye. The Venture Outdoors Downtown TriAnglers’ better catches off the North Shore Wednesday included a 21-inch channel catfish released by Tom Lippert of Spring Garden, and a 12 ½-inch freshwater drum released by Ella Lipick of Penn Hills. Ohio RiverLee Murray of Cheswick and Chuck Main of Ellwood City won last weekend’s X Series bass tournament sponsored by Ohio-based Vic’s Sporting Center with five smallmouths totaling 9-plus pounds.Monongahela RiverDylan Thomas of West Elizabeth released a 36-pound flathead catfish at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. Numbers of smallmouth bass were reported. Yougiogheny RiverGood trout fishing was reported by anglers floating from Confluence to Ohiopyle. Numbers of bass were reported elsewhere on the river.Youghiogheny Reservoir (Fayette County)Walleyes were spotty but the bass bite was good in recent days. Deep Creek Lake (Maryland)Dave Jenco of Brownsville and Jim Gwynn of Bentleyville won the walleye division of the annual Fish for Life Tournament to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with five walleyes totaling 7 ½-plus pounds. Reuben Johnson of Natrona Heights and Mike Kalafut of Uniontown caught the 3 1/3-pound lunker walleye. The bass division was won by Larry Beckman and Ben Newman, both of Oakland, MD, with four bass totaling almost 13 pounds, including a 4 1/3-pound largemouth that was the tournament lunker. John Richter and Joe Argiro, both of Connellsville, won the miscellaneous division with a 2 ¼-pound chain pickerel.

Darl Black photo

Bigger Cats to Prowl PA Lakes

US Fish and Wildlife Service photo

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is revising its channel catfish stocking program at 56 lakes. For more, click here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10206/1075178-358.stm

FISHING REPORT JULY 23, 2010

Lake ErieWhen conditions allowed this week, anglers were finding a better perch bite than in previous weeks, with bigger fish coming in 50 to 60 feet between Elk Creek and Trout Run, and between the lighthouse and the point of the peninsula. Walleyes were a little east of Walnut Creek in 70 to 80 feet, and from the lighthouse to just past the point in 80 to 110 feet. Some walleyes were in 35 to 45 feet, but sizes were smaller and freshwater drum were in the mix. Allegheny River, Allegheny Reservoir (Warren County)An excellent trout bite was reported with big browns coming on crankbaits from the tailwaters of the Kinzua Dam to Glade Bridge. The river also was yielding a few muskies, including a 50-incher, and some keeper walleyes in deeper water near Starbrick. The walleye bite in the reservoir slowed, but northern pike were hitting in Roper Hollow. Smallmouth bass were reported in the reservoir and the Conewango River.
Chautauqua Lake (New York)Good bites were reported this week on largemouth bass and walleyes. Pymatuning Lake (Crawford County)Hot weather spurred muskie action, with John Bresman of Jamestown catching four muskies in three trips to the lake. One of the better crappie bites in recent years continued, with catches coming in 7 to 8 feet on the deep edge of weed beds. The better numbers and sizes were on drop-offs in 14 to 18 feet, with small jigs taking most fish. Walleye fishing was slow with a few keepers coming on plugs. Channel cats continued hitting. Tamarack Lake (Crawford County)Nice yields of crappies, perch and bluegills were reported by evening anglers. Hand-tied ants tipped with maggots and suspended below bobbers were the ticket.Woodcock Lake (Crawford County)Walleyes were hitting on leeches and large minnows in 31 to 35 feet near the dam.Canadohta Lake (Crawford County)This natural lake was yielding northern pike on spinner baits and walleyes on live bait rigs around the deep edge of weed lines.French Creek (Venango County)Walleyes up to 23 inches and several smallmouth bass were reported near Franklin in recent days. Water was low from lack of rainfall.Allegheny River (Venango County)Chuck Sari and his son Kevin released two muskies, 44 and 32 inches, near Franklin last Sunday morning, with Kevin catching the bigger fish. They also caught three nice-size smallmouth bass. Night-time fishing for flathead catfish also has been productive. Oil Creek (Venango County)Smallmouth bass were hitting, with some anglers using hellgrammites from the stream for bait. Allegheny River (Armstrong County)Ryan Shepard caught a 52-inch 35-pound muskie in recent weeks. Lake Arthur (Butler County)Bob Sarnese of Prospect caught a 2 ½ pound crappie and Bruce Finke of Prospect a 2-pound 3-ounce crappie Saturday. They were the largest of half a dozen nice-size crappies the men caught. Jeramy Genaway of Cranberry caught a 5-pound 5-ounce largemouth bass last Friday.Allegheny RiverFishing was generally slow in low, warm conditions. A few anglers were out in the early morning and evening hours. Monongahela River Kevin McClain of Fairmont WVA and Steve Richards of Rock Creek, WVA won last Saturday’s Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit tournament out of Ten Mile Park, with a 6-fish limit totaling 10 ½ pounds. Richards also caught the tournament lunker, a 5-pound largemouth bass. In all, 90 two-person teams caught 326 fish weighing 389 ½ pounds. They included 202 smallmouths, 112 largemouths, 12 spotted bass. A total of 27 limits were taken. Ohio RiverBill Williams of Toronto, Ohio won last Saturday’s Chester-Newell Catfish Tournament with a flathead measuring 37 ½ inches. The next tournament is July 31. For more, call 304-387-3892. Youghiogheny Reservoir (Fayette County)A group of anglers caught 12 bluegills averaging 8 inches, four crappies about 12 inches, six perch about 11 inches, and a 20-inch channel catfish.

Gun Sales Net Windfall for Game Commission

photo courtesy of PA Game Commission

Fish Commission Seeks Angler Access

Deborah Weisberg photo of Little Juniata River

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is eager to buy fishing access on rivers and streams in Blair and Huntingdon counties. It is specifically seeking easement agreements with private landowners on the Little Juniata River, Juniata River, and Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River to protect the public’s right to access those waterways to fish. The fish and boat commission was one of three state agencies that successfully sued Donny Beaver and the Spring Ridge Club over their efforts to prevent anglers from fishing the Little Juniata. For more on the easement program, landowners should call the commission’s Jackie Kramer at 717-705-7845 or visit http://www.fishandboat.com/

Trophy Muskie Boated on Allegheny

Ryan Shepard holds the 52-inch, 35-pound muskie he recently boated on the Allegheny River.

FISHING REPORT

Lake Erie The walleye bite was good this week, with numbers of 8- to 10-pound fish reported. Brian Ruland of Erie did well in 77 feet off the point of the peninsula, while 65 to 70 feet was a productive depth for most anglers. The first trench also provided good yields for boaters out of Walnut. The perch bite was slower this week, with some fish coming in 55 to 60 feet. Alexander Barwin caught a 9-pound 1-ounce, 24 ½-inch brown trout last weekend.Allegheny River/Allegheny Reservoir (Warren County)Walleyes and bass were hitting in the lake and river this week. The river was yielding brown and rainbow trout, 16 to 24 inches. Northern pike, perch, and white bass were reported in the lake, and a few muskies were released in the river. Pymatuning Lake (Crawford County)
Crappies continued hitting off brush piles, stump fields and other deep structure during the day and moved shallower at dusk. Anglers were catching them on minnows under bobbers along the Epsyville/Andover Causeway. The walleye bite continued in mixed sizes and numbers. Anglers were drifting jigs tipped with crawlers or trolling crawler harnesses depending on how much wind there was. Crawford County angler Chelsey Gault caught a 48-inch muskie on live bait, and another local angler Johnny Bressman caught a 45-inch muskie on a Grandma lure. Perch and channel catfish also were reported.Conneaut Lake (Crawford County)
Anglers caught nice numbers of bluegills and crappies on the outside edge of weed beds and in deeper water. Tamarack Lake (Crawford County) Evening panfish action was reported but the muskie bite was slow in recent days. Woodcock Creek Lake (Crawford County)
A few walleyes were reported on leeches in deeper water. Some nice smallmouth bass were caught in recent days. Taylor Zarewicz, 15, caught a 36-inch muskie on a watermelon tube. He and his father Tom Zarewicz caught 8 smallmouth bass, including a 4-pounder. Canadohta Lake (Crawford County) Walleyes were hitting after dark along deep weed lines, with anglers casting perch-colored crankbaits over weed beds. A few northern pike and muskies were reported. A dead 51-inch muskie was found floating in the water with a deep gash on its side from a boat propeller. French Creek (Crawford, Venango counties) Small-size smallmouth bass were reported, along with spotty evening walleye action in the Venango County section of the creek. Canoe and kayak traffic has been heavy. Allegheny River (Venango County)Anglers reported smallmouth bass in mixed sizes up to 19 inches on Jitterbugs near riffles. Kahle Lake (Venango County)A draw-down for dam repairs makes boat-launching from a trailer almost impossible.
Oil Creek (Venango County)The trout bite is over in high water temperatures, but anglers were catching bass on crankbaits and spinners.Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County)Chester and Brian Harsh of Sheakleyville caught four nice walleyes up to 24 inches this week. Other anglers also reported walleyes over 20 inches on Hot n Tots in 8 to 12 feet. Numbers of largemouth bass were hitting. Panfishing was productive, but sizes were running small. Lake Arthur (Butler County)Bob Jesteadt of Prospect caught 8 crappies over 1-pound each near the 528 bridge Sunday. His largest was 2 pounds 7 ounces, 17-inches. Night-time hybrid striper action appeared to peak with this week’s hot temperatures. One angler caught a 14-pounder. Evening walleye action was decent with fish up to 24 inches reported.Allegheny RiverCatfish were hitting, with Gary Cahill of Tarentum earning a junior citation for a 16-pound 8-ounce flathead he landed on a sucker at Highland Park, Saturday. Smallmouth bass were hitting. Ohio RiverThe few anglers fishing in the heat reported average-size smallmouth bass, saugers, and walleyes.
Youghiogheny RiverGood trout fishing was reported in recent days, following last week’s stocking.Youghiogheny Lake (Fayette County)Anglers were catching nice smallnouths. Highpoint Lake (Somerset County)Logan Creighton of Farmington reported smallmouth bass up to 3 pounds. Other anglers reported bass and northern pike.Deep Creek Lake (Maryland)Jumbo perch, slab bluegills and average-size walleyes were reported.

Anti-Poaching Bill Passes with Disclaimers

Governor Ed Rendell signed a new bill into law aimed at curbing wildlife poachers, effective Sept. 7. It took state lawmakers three years to pass the measure, which was amended at the last minute to protect gun rights. So when is a felon not a felon? For the story, visit http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10192/1071819-358.stm

Mercury Rising in Erie Walleyes

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission photo

Despite great catches like these, Lake Erie walleyes are showing increasing concentrations of mercury. For the story, visit http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10185/1070323-358.stm

Mon River in Major Danger

Dave Myers of Carmichaels with a Mon River muskie.

American Rivers recently named the Monongahela River one of the 10 most endangered waterways in the US because of impacts from Marcellus shale natural gas drilling. Read the story at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10157/1063526-358.stm

FISHING REPORT

Lake ErieHot weather slowed the walleye and perch bites, making limits spotty. The best bet for perch was 55 to 60 feet out of Walnut Creek. The best numbers and sizes on walleyes were in 65 to 70 feet in the first trench, although anglers were catching smaller ones in 26 to 34 feet. Some anglers were running clear down to the Ohio line in shallower water, but it’s a long haul. Allegheny River (Warren County)Anglers were catching walleyes. Terry Schrader of Warren caught a 5-pound 3-ouncer in the tailrace Monday night. Trout up to 20 inches were hitting, although recently planted rainbow fingerlings were winding up on hooks, too. Allegheny Reservoir (Warren County)Gary Wert of Warren and friends caught two 18-inch walleyes and six northern pike, including two 25-inchers, jigging golden shiners in 20 to 25 feet in Willow Bay. An angler caught a 7 ½-pound walleye trolling a crawler harness Sunday morning. A Disabled Veterans Association open walleye tournament is scheduled for this weekend. For more, call 814-726-7475. Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County)Walleyes were hitting on Hot-n-Tots, and crappies were reported in 10 to 18 feet around cover. Walleye anglers were also catching channel catfish. A 44-inch muskie was released last weekend. Conneaut Lake (Crawford County) Gail Peterson of Meadville and Larry McNulty caught a few smallmouth bass on topwaters at first light, and then picked up about 20 largemouth bass outside the deep weed edge on a 4-inch Zoom Centipede on this glacial lake last weekend. Canadohta Lake (Crawford County)This smaller natural lake was yielding panfish, especially bluegills, in recent days. French Creek (Crawford County)A very slow smallmouth bass bite was reported last weekend.
Woodcock Lake (Crawford County) Bluegills were one of the best bets last weekend, with small fatheads, maggots and crawlers working.Pennsylvania State Gamelands Pond No. 69 (Crawford County)Nice catches of bluegills were reported on this pond near Black Ash last weekend. Oil Creek (Crawford County) Bill Logan of Titusville caught five nice rainbow trout on flies north of Titusville last week, before hot weather kicked in. Hatches included Blue-winged olive, tricos and midges.
While smaller streams with canopies such as Little Sugar, Upper Two Mile, Pithole and East Branch of Caldwell may fish better in summer, anglers were advised trout are highly stressed in warm conditions and should not be targeted. Allegheny River (Venango County) A nice evening walleye bite was reported on crawler harnesses, and smallmouth bass were hitting Tiny Torpedoes. Erica Perry, 11, released a 42-inch muskie while fishing with her father Brian Perry. John Conroy of Canonsburg caught smallmouth bass on chubs, shiners drifted under bobbers, and tubes below Franklin. Other anglers reported a good smallmouth bite last weekend, despite high boating pressure. Justus Lake (Venango County) A 36-inch muskie was caught on a golden shiner last weekend. Numbers of largemouth bass---average-size at best---also were reported. Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County)An early morning bass bite was reported by the few anglers fishing in this week’s muggy heat. Allegheny RiverJoey Kieler caught two flathead catfish, 41 and 38 inches, last weekend. The Venture Outdoors’ Downtown TriAnglers reported a variety of releases from the North Shore, including Bob Miller of Moon Township’s 19 ½-inch channel catfish.Ohio RiverNumbers of carp and catfish were hitting along Emsworth lock wall. Anglers also were catching nice smallmouth bass along the riprap on Neville Island’s back channel.Monongahela RiverCatfish and smallmouths were reported, although hot weather kept angling pressure low. Amanda Floriolli leads the Shad Lure Bait and Tackle July catfish contest with a 5-pound flathead caught July 10. One angler limited out on walleyes at Maxwell lock and dam last weekend.Highpoint Lake (Somerset County)A few nice catches of bass were reported at this mountaintop impoundment.Youghiogheny Reservoir (Fayette County)Anglers reported smallmouth bass up to 18 inches, crappies up to 15 inches, and bluegills up to 9 inches with water temperatures cooler on the Pennsylvania side of the lake. Spring Creek (Centre County)Good fishing was reported in clear, close-to-normal flows on this limestoner yesterday along with tricos, caddisflies, terrestrials and midges.