| Erie Times-News
With the dawning of each New Year, area anglers hope for a winter fishing season that would include perfect flows in tributaries filled with steelheads, abundant large perch moving into Presque Isle Bay, and thick ice across inland lakes for pursuit of walleye, pike and crappies.
However, as often happens at this time of year, angler expectations are dashed by the weather.
The early winter cycle of rain, wind, snow, freeze and warmup, plays havoc with the flow of Erie tributaries as well as preventing the formation of safe ice on slushy lakes and ponds.
Dan at Elk Creek Sports reports lower Elk Creek was jammed with ice earlier in week but open above Route 5. However, with rain and above freezing temperatures in the forecast going into New Year’s Day, he expects all tributaries will blow out, and hopefully some fresh fish will move in. “It looks like a mess for the holiday weekend, but by next week streams should be looking good,” he notes.
Bill at Tudor’s Hook-N-Nook says catching steelhead has been tough the past week, with most reported catches from way high up in Elk. “The expected blow out this weekend may bring in another run of fish, but it remains to be seen as to how big the run might be.”
Poor Richard’s received few reports from fishermen this past week. “Conditions in the streams will change following the expected blow out, so egg sacks will likely be better than single eggs,” adds Jeff. “Fly fishermen will be going to the bright colors like chartreuse and orange.”
The Presque Isle Bay bite has not changed in the past two weeks, according to Kirk at East End Angler. “Good numbers of perch on city side docks and piers, but most are small; getting a mess of keepers is tough right now. There was talk about ice forming on Eaton and Edinboro, but certainly not safe for fishing. And with this present forecast, it’s going to be awhile before ice fishing is possible.”
Mike at Mike’s Custom Tackle likes the higher flow in the Allegheny right now for winter walleye, however, the few anglers who have been out on the river have struck out. He is hopeful the walleye bite will kick in with the slightly milder temperatures … if the expected rain runoff doesn’t blow the river out.
Gus Glasgow, director with the Western PA Hardwater Tournament Series, keeps close tabs on ice development across the region. “There was chatter on Facebook about ice forming on the fingers at Lake Arthur, on Edinboro Lake, Lake Wilhelm, Chautauqua Lake and a couple others. But none of these lakes have ice that can be considered safe. Before Christmas, it looked like we might have early ice this year, but with the current forecast of rain and above freezing temperatures, that isn’t going to happen.”
Contributors:
East End Angler, 4702 East Lake Road; 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
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