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WCO/DWCO Update
June 3rd, 2009
Western Erie County
submitted by
DWCO Randy Leighton and
WCO Brook Tolbert
Conditions
Wind and wave conditions have been on the rough side the past few days often confining anglers to Presque Isle Bay. Bass fishing continues to be fair to good in the bay. Anglers looking for those early season perch schools are still looking. Perch catches have been sporadic, but are picking up. Night time walleye fishing along the shoreline near the tributary mouths has actually been pretty good this year, when the Lake conditions cooperate. Anglers have had some early season walleye success in 25 to 35 feet of water west of Walnut Creek and over as far as the Ohio line. The current Lake Erie water temperature off Toledo is 62 degrees, off Cleveland, 58 degrees and off the Port of Erie, 59 degrees.
Walnut Creek Access
As we have mentioned in the past few weeks, boaters coming into the Walnut Creek Access Area are finding things dramatically different. In a nut shell, when entering the access area at the large stop sign, all boats are to proceed straight instead of making the previous right hand turn. At the stop sign boaters are given instructions and it becomes a simple matter of following the posted signs. The system is designed to make the boat trailer traffic travel in one large, consistent loop and to not block automobile traffic entering the area to access the marina. Be advised there are a number of added stop signs in the appropriate areas of the pattern, all of which must be obeyed to keep the system safe for everyone. Additional parking has been added next to the east lot where the old boat barn was. As we go through the simple learning curve of the new pattern, your patience and consideration will be appreciated. We have seen a few mistakes and there will be more...old habits are hard to break, however, careful thought was put into the system in an effort to keep traffic flow moving.
Click HERE to see a printable diagram of the new traffic patterns at the Walnut Creek Access Area.
Regular Bass Season Opens Saturday, June 13th
Regular Bass season opens Saturday, June 13th. Limits for Lake Erie and it's tributaries are 4 fish (combined species small and large mouth) with a 15" minimum length. The limit is 6 fish with a 12" minimum length for inland waters other than Lake Erie and its tributaries.
A Few Bass Techniques
Tube Jigs:
Tube jigs are very popular along the lake shore. Combined with a 1/4 to 3/8 ounce lead head jig hook they can be deadly. Popular colors include pumpkinseed, chartreuse, black with sparkles, and brown. Working them off the bottom can be very productive.
Close-Quarters Jigging:
This technique works well for big large mouths, so you will need a strong and stiff rod. You will also need at least 20-pound monofilament line. Use monofilament because it is less abrasive then other lines. You will be fishing in heavy cover. It is recommended you use jigs with nylon bristles. This helps prevents snags. Work the jig into heavy cover. Then jig it up and down several times. The heavier the jig the better.
Topwater Buzzing:
Of all the top water baits available, the buzzbait is the most productive, versatile, and forgiving lures. It gets bass out of cover, and attracts them in open water. Most anglers fish a buzzbait too fast. Retrieve slowly so the blade just barely spins. This will catch you more fish. Keep the rod tip held high for best results.
Carolina-Rigging Soft Plastics:
The Carolina rig requires a 3/4 or 1 ounce egg or bullet sinker. Assemble a Carolina rig by threading the main line through the sinker, followed by a 8mm glass bead, and tie off to a swivel. The bead protects the knot, and makes noise when it hits the sinker. To the other end of the swivel, tie a 3 to 5 foot leader and a 3/0 offset worm hook. The leader should be monofilament, 10 to 14 pound test. Carolina rigs can be purchased pre rigged also. Add a lizard, worm, crawfish, tube, or other soft plastic bait.
Deep-Cranking Spinner Baits:
Fishing 8 to 20 feet of water with spinner baits can produce big bass. A heavier spinner bait is needed to get it down deep. A good color combination is gold and silver blades with chartreuse and white skirts. Position your boat in deep water, and cast over structure, ledges, or other bass holding areas. Let the lure sink to the bottom, then give a slight pull on the rod to start the blades. Maintain a slow retrieve to keep the lure near the bottom.
Twitching Floating Worms:
This technique works well by structure near open water such as boat docks. A twitching action of pull, then pause, works well. It simulates a dying minnow or worm. The Banjo Minnow is an example of a bait that uses this technique. Normally you can see the bait and any strikes. If you can’t, be ready because fish on average will hit on the pause. You can cover a lot of water with this technique.
Live Baits:
Shiners, night crawlers and crawfish are all good choices for bass.
Know Your Fire Extinguisher Before It's Needed
As a boat owner, how well do you know you fire extinguisher? There is no question that in an emergency you'll have no better friend than a well-maintained, well-located U.S. fire extinguisher that meets Coast Guard regulations. Like any friend however, neglect it and your extinguisher may not be there for you when you need it most.
Staying on the best of terms with your fire extinguisher doesn't take a lot of effort. The most common type of fire extinguisher found on most family boats is the dry powder extinguisher. These extinguishers typically have an easy to read pressure gauge that you should check on a monthly basis.
When you check the pressure gauge also give the entire bottle a good look. Plastic nozzles can be easily damaged and may not function properly if they are blocked.
It is also recommended to give your dry powder extinguisher a thorough shaking at least twice a year because the powder charge can settle and become compacted over time.
If you shake your extinguisher twice a year, when you shake it for the tenth time it should be the last. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that non-rechargeable, powder-type extinguishers be routinely replaced after five years, even though they have not been used and appear to be in good shape.
For those boat owners with carbon dioxide or Halon type extinguishers, checking and shaking is not the way to go. These gaseous type extinguishers require periodic inspection and certification by trained and licensed service providers. The tank must be weighed to ensure that it is still full. Those that have lost more than 10 percent of their charge must be recharged in order to be effective. Weighing should be a part of a semi-annual inspection.
Your fire extinguisher is required to be USCG approved for marine use and at least one extinguisher should be securely mounted within arms reach of the operator. Extinguishers are required on all boats with internal combustion engines with enclosed compartments for portable fuel tanks and boats with permanently mounted fuel tanks.
No matter what type of fire extinguishers you have aboard your boat, a little regularly scheduled TLC will go a long way to ensuring a long lasting friendship for you and your extinguisher.
Another Fish For Free Day If You Missed the First One
Fish for Free Days allow anyone to legally fish for Pennsylvania's most popular fish without a fishing license. Each year the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Executive Director designates 2 Fish for Free Days. No fishing license is required to fish on Pennsylvania's waterways all day Sunday, June 7th, 2009. All other fishing regulations still apply.
Copies of the Anglers Summary booklet can obtained at most area bait and tackle shops and at the Walnut Creek Access office free of charge. The Pennsylvania Fishing Summary Book can also be viewed online. The Erie area offers a wealth of fishing opportunities for the new angler and the seasoned veterans alike. Plenty of shore fishing is available to new anglers along the Bay Front Highway on Presque Isle Bay as well as much of the shoreline at Presque Isle State Park. Fish for Free Days are an opportunity for the inexperienced angler to try his luck as well as a great opportunity for the experienced angler to introduce a friend to fishing. Fish for Free Days can be the start of many memorable family outings as well.
Local Weather
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening. Cool with lows in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Thursday
Becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 10 mph.
Thursday Night
Clear. Cool with lows in the upper 40s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday
Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
Friday Night
Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 60s.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the lower 50s.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.
Tuesday
Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
Contact Information
PA Fish and Boat Commission, Bureau of Law Enforcement
Northwest Region Office
Phone: (814) 337-0444
Walnut Creek Marina Office
Phone: (814) 833-2464
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