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/