|
|
|
WCO Update
September 3, 2003
Furnished by
Waterways Conservation Officer Brook R. Tolbert
Western Erie County
PO Box 162
Fairview, PA 16415
Phone: (814)-566-7869
Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer Randy Leighton
Western Erie County
Email: rglerie@aol.com
and
Waterways Conservation Officer Tom Edwards
Central Erie County
Phone: (814)864-6566
Cell: (814)730-7046
Email: PAFishCop13@yahoo.com
and
Waterways Conservation Officer Mark Kerr
Eastern Erie County
Phone: (814) 796-1378 Cell: (814) 673-4650
Email: wco015@yahoo.com
and
Waterways Conservation Officer Joe Russell
Western Crawford County
Phone: (724) 932-5661 Cell: (814) 720-1246
Email: fishcop@alltel.net
Western Erie County
DWCO Randy Leighton
Conditions:
Anglers are still picking up limits of Perch due North of the Walnut Creek channel. 58 feet was the most productive depth this past weekend. Walleye are still being caught with anglers picking up the occasional steelhead. Best bets for Walleye and off shore steelhead are in the deeper waters of the first trench northwest of the Walnut Access area to the Ohio line. Lake Erie water temperature as of this writing is 73 degrees.
Steelhead; time to get the reels spooled:
A few dozen fish are scattered in each of the pools at the Walnut Project waters area and a fair number of fish have settled in the Walnut Creek Channel. A number of steelhead have been caught in the pools and along the channel wall. As usual this time of year, the best fishing is at night or at daybreak. Anglers have had some success along the shoreline at Trout and Godfrey Runs. Fish are staging at the mouths and can be seen rolling the surface in the early morning hours. The heavy precipitation this summer topped off by an all day soaker on Labor Day has put the tribs at good levels. Temperatures in the 50's at night are helping to cool down the tribs so it is only a matter of time. This weekend could be it if we get predicted precipitation and the ambient temperatures remain cool.
Local Area Regulations:
Designated as Nursery Waters are Trout Run and its tributaries, Godfrey Run, Orchard Beach Run and Crooked Creek (where posted). It is unlawful to fish, wade or possess fishing equipment while in or along Lake Erie tributary streams designated as Nursery Waters.
Archery fishing or spear fishing is prohibited in or along Lake Erie tributary streams.
From September 2 until the opening day of trout season in April, all Lake Erie tributary streams are closed to fishing from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following day except for Walnut Creek and Elk Creek north of Route 5.
Anglers fishing the wall at the Walnut Access are required to yield their lines to boats entering and exiting the channel. Boats have the right of way.
It is unlawful to fish from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following day within 50 yards of the mouth of both Trout Run and Godfrey Runs while fishing the Lake Erie shoreline.
Daily creel limit on Lake Erie and its tributaries is now 3 fish (any combination of steelhead, browns, or coho) with a minimum size of 15". Only 2 of the 3 may be lake trout.
Fish Eggs:
It is unlawful for a person to sell, offer for sale, purchase or barter any fish parts or fish eggs obtained from fish taken from Lake Erie and its tributaries (or any other Commonwealth waters including boundary waters). This prohibition does not apply to fish parts or fish eggs (1) lawfully taken and sold or offered for sale by holders of a Lake Erie commercial fishing license if the particular species of fish is authorized for taking by commercial licensees, or (2) those obtained from fish taken lawfully from waters outside of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Know the Law:
The following comprises a list of the most common violations in our area for the last few years.
Traffic violations at Walnut Access, particularly the entrance stop signs (danger to pedestrians crossing at intersection)
Lack of required boating equipment (cold water heightens the need for proper safety equipment)
Netting fish (can lead to revocation of fishing privileges)
Snagging and using illegal devices
No license
Possessing fish over the limit
Littering
Misuse of private property
Special regulations (closed stream areas & 50 yards from Trout Run after 10 PM)
Fishing in Nursery Waters
If you are new to the area or uncertain of local regulations applicable to Lake Erie and its tributaries, be advised to take a moment and read your 2003 Summary of Pennsylvania Fishing Regulations and Laws (normally given out when you purchased your license). Consider this advice fair warning for the season. Summary books are available at most licensing agents as well as the Walnut Creek Access office.
Local weather:
Wednesday night
Mostly cloudy with a chance of evening showers. Lows near 60. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. Highs near 70.
Thursday night
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s.
Friday
Partly cloudy. Highs near 70.
Friday night
Mainly clear. Low near 50.
Saturday
Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s and highs in the lower 70s.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. Lows 50 to 55 and highs in the lower 70s.
Monday and Tuesday
Mainly clear. Lows in the mid 50s and highs in the lower 70s.
Central Erie County
DWCO Bryan Brendley
Fallen Officer:
The PFBC Bureau of Law Enforcement officers in the Northwest Region extend their deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and fellow officers as the PA State Police lost another fine trooper in the line of duty. Trooper Robert Bianchin was killed in an automobile accident while on an undercover assignment. His vehicle left the roadway on Route 422 in Butler County and struck an embankment.
Trooper Bianchin had been with the Pennsylvania State Police for 8 years and is survived by his wife and 1-year-old daughter.
Local Images Follow.
 One of the first pulled in off the wall at Walnut Creek
 Water levels are good at the Manchester Hole
 Heading out of the Walnut Channel for Perch
 Walnut Project Waters are cleaned out
 Another nice steelhead pulled in at Walnut Creek
 Fishing the end of the Wall at Walnut Creek
|
|
