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.