It's prime time for walleye in Lake Erie's northwestern Pennsylvania waters
While summer fishing is heating up across the region, walleye fishing is hitting its stride in Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie, according to reports from multiple regional tackle shops.
“There is a large amount of walleye in the 40- to 50-foot range on the west side,” stated Jake at FishUSA. “Although you must weed through a lot of 15- to 16-inch fish, there are some good size fish in the mix. Jet divers with little spoons and deep diving plugs run 120 to 150 feet back with no weight or with one ounce of weight have been my choice of techniques. Flicker Minnows and Bomber 24As are crushing the walleye this year, along with small spoons like the Dreamweaver WD and Silver Streak Mini Spoon.”
Brittany at Poor Richard's said some customers were doing very well with walleye on purple-blade worm harnesses in 35 to 45 feet straight out of Walnut Creek.
Perch Pirate clients enjoyed good success on both walleye and perch while drifting in 30 to 40 feet from the edge of the Dump to Presque Isle Lighthouse.
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“The fish are here and the bite is on! Chart screens are showing a lot of fish, likely due to influx of Western Basin fish arriving in Pennsylvania waters. Get a bait down to them, and it is fish on,” explained Bill at Tudor's. “If interested in smallmouth bass, reports indicate they are very active in the main lake now, too.”
“Trolling or drifting for walleyes – it doesn’t seem to matter,” stated Chris at Elk Creek Sports. “Weather looking good for the weekend. Should be awesome fishing.”
“I’ve got great news for the east side … perch!” exclaimed Kirk at East End Angler. “I’ve received numerous reports of nice size perch at multiple sites: 52 feet off the Point, 52 feet off Hammermill Stacks, and 55 to 60 feet just west of North East Marina. We’ve got walleye action, too, at 38 to 53 feet off Shades Beach and 38 to 42 feet off the GE Stacks. Walleyes are near bottom in the morning, then suspended later in the day. Best bait has been a nightcrawler on a Worm Burner and Spoon Harness.”
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Moving inland, the only reliable walleye bite is at Pymatuning. “Day-time anglers are still catching good numbers of walleyes by drifting or casting a jig-n-crawler, or trolling worm harness. But bigger fish continue to be caught around weedbeds at night due to the ongoing alewife spawn,” said Dave at Richter’s Bait. Largemouth bass, catfish, perch and bluegill round out the Pymatuning bite.
Hybrid stripers on Shenango are roaming the open water, following schools of shad, explained Randy at Fish West PA. “With water temperature still in the high 70s, hybrids are catchable. We caught several on swim baits in 17 to 18 feet of water near drop-offs. Schools of large white bass are following bait as well. With cooler weather coming this weekend, the bite might last for another couple weeks.”
NOTE: This is the final Northwestern Pennsylvania Fishing Report. We invite Erie Times-News and GoErie.com readers to join the NWPA Outdoors Facebook group to read or share fishing reports.
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: NW Pa. fishing report: It's prime time for walleye in Lake Erie
