Northwestern Pa. fishing report: Walleye take center stage this weekend
When the first reliable daylight walleye bite kicks in during June, just about every Erie angler with a boat is headed out on the lake.
“The old Erie angler saying ‘When the fuzzies fly, the walleyes bite is on’ never seems to fail,” stated Bill at Tudor's when the first fluffy cottonwood seeds were observed floating in the breeze over a week ago.
Given the abundance of annoying cotton balls up and down the lakeshore, plus extremely positive reports from charter captains and everyday anglers this past week, that adage seems to be holding true.
Other west side tackle shops provided similar responses: the off-and-on nearshore night bite has slowed considerably in the past week, but there is now a consistent daytime bite in 40 to 50 feet. Crawler harnesses fished on bottom bouncers or Dipsy Divers are most productive at the present time; the new-style butterfly blades on harnesses seem to be particularly effective.
However, on the east side, Kirk at East End Angler, reported: “The walleye bite is at various depths here and there, with a couple anglers reportedly catching all their walleyes only 10 feet below the surface. If you encounter a school, stay on them. The same thing can be said regrading perch, which have been reported in 50 to 55 feet of water between Hammermill stacks and Shades; they are moving and not staying put for very long.”
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The Perch Pirate head boat made its initial 2022 trip this past week. Drifting between the Cribs and Shorewood, Captain Bob reported anglers caught a mix bag of walleye and perch, along with smallmouths which were returned to the water.
If you are still looking for smallmouth bass in Presque Isle Bay, Jake at Fish USA said fish deeper water off the edge of the flats. “A dropshot with a wacky-rigged worm has been my hot bait.”
Charter Captain George Mro reported post-spawn smallmouth in the lake are scattered and moving. “But when we encounter them, they are quality size. Most of our fish this week came from 18 to 20 feet of water.”
“Nothing much has changed at Pymatuning in the past week,” explained Dave at Richter’s Bait. “Anglers are finding lots of hungry walleyes near weeds interested in a jig-n-crawler or worm harness. A good surface chop really activates walleyes. Night fishing over the alewife spawn continues to produce the bigger walleye. Crappies are hit and miss, but catfish are everywhere. Interest in bedding bluegills this year seems high – perhaps due to the exceptional size of the 'gills being caught.”
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Downstream on Shenango Lake, the bite remains the same, too. Randy at Fish West PA reported some good crappies still in shallow water. Hybrid stripers have moved offshore, chasing bait on points and drop-offs early and late in day. Schooled white bass are chasing bait in open water.
Lake Wilhelm continues to produce nicely for anglers. Brad Bee had a very good week on crappies including his personal best at 16.5 inches, plus numerous catch-and-release largemouth bass.
Contributors:
East End Angler, 4702 East Lake Road, Erie; 814-898-3474
FishUSA Pro Shop, 6960 W. Ridge Rd., Fairview; 800-922-1219
Poor Richard’s Bait & Tackle, 6821 West Lake Road, Lake City; 814-474-5623
Elk Creek Sports, 10543 Old Lake Road, Lake City; 814-774-8755
Tudor Hook-N-Nook, 10079 Cross Station Ext., Girard; 814-323-5886
Richter’s Bait & Tackle, 2936 Williamsfield Road, Jamestown, PA; 724-932-5372
Perch Pirate head boat, East Canal Basin, State St., Erie; 814-746-5809
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Walleye take center stage in northwestern Pa. fishing this weekend
