NW Pa. weekend fishing report: It's been a great week for anglers in Erie-area waters
Anglers have enjoyed a spectacular week of fishing success in northwestern Pennsylvania. As we gradually move into summer, some lake species will remain shallow to complete spawning or to feed on a smorgasbord of prey. Other species have already started their move toward summer feeding grounds in deeper water.
Chris at Elk Creek Sports, Jeremy at Poor Richard's and Bill at Tudor's reported the near-shore walleye night bite continues with wading anglers and anglers trolling from boats in 10 to 15 feet having success. Bill and Jeremy also had scattered reports of ‘eye seekers finding walleye in 40 feet east and west of Walnut Creek.
“Trolling for walleyes is starting to heat up,” stated Jake at Fish USA. “Lots of anglers are targeting walleye at night. Walleyes are now being caught during daylight, and it seems to be getting better every day. Berkley Flicker Minnow and Rapala Tail Dancers have been producing for me. Smallmouth are still bedding in Presque Isle Bay. Remember, if you catch a fish off a bed, return it as quickly as possible to the water.”
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Exciting news from Kirk at East End Angler – a handful of fishermen caught limits of perch the last few days in 50 feet of water off the GE Stacks. Within Presque Isle Bay, city-side anglers have been making impressive catches of crappies in marinas. North and South Piers have been yielding smallmouth bass, rock bass, channel cats and – during low light periods – walleyes.
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Pymatuning Lake continues to give up walleyes to anglers drifting in 8 to 12 feet with jig-n-crawler during the day and to anglers casting shallow-running minnow baits over weedbeds at night. The black crappie spawn is over, with bedding bluegills as the shallow-water ticket now.
Randy at Fish West PA said warmer weather has the Shenango Lake bite in full swing. “Most productive times are mornings and evenings for white bass and hybrid stripers, which are schooling and chasing baitfish. The shallow water walleye and crappie post-spawn bites have slowed down. But bedding bluegills have taken up the slack. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are in post-spawn transition.”
Lake Wilhelm again this year was a late bloomer. However, in the past week anglers have caught quite a few crappies – some in spawning mode others in post-spawn mode, according to members of the Lake Wilhelm Fishermen group. There have also been reports of muskies caught and released by anglers fishing for walleyes or panfish.
Anglers have wondered what fish remain in Woodcock Lake following the unexpected dewatering of that impoundment in March 2021. While fingerling musky and walleye fingerlings were stocked late in 2021, it will be years before those fish reach a catchable size.
However, a PFBC survey revealed some adult smallmouth survived, so there was no need to stock bass. Marilyn suggested we fish Woodcock on Memorial Day in an attempt to catch a smallmouth. We are pleased to report there are indeed adult smallmouth in Woodcock! In two hours, we landed two smallmouths each about 2 pounds, and lost two larger smallmouths during their aerial acrobatics.
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
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Will the strong week of fishing continue in Erie-area waters?
