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.