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Western Erie County / WCO John Bowser & DWCO Randy Leighton Conditions
West County tribs remain swollen and with predicted precipitation should remain high for a while. The Walnut Project waters again have good numbers of fish in all the holes and the Manchester hole has been producing some fresh fish. Anglers are fishing the wall and the marina basin at the Walnut access with success. Popular baits seem to change daily with tipped mini foo jigs, skein, and live shiners doing the job. Action has been very good at the hole near the Mckean exit on I-79. A good crowd was observed there this past Sunday. The far upper reaches of both Elk and Walnut Creeks should be producing nicely now with fish scattered throughout all the popular areas. Calm days at the mouth of Trout Run leave plenty of elbow room for those that enjoy fishing the lake shore. Spinner baits along with Cleos are a good choice along the lake shore when the fishing pressure is light. Perch and panfish are still a good choice along the Bayfront on the south side of Presque Isle bay especially near Dobbins landing with live shiners the choice presentation. Safe Boating Course - Only a few weeks left to sign up, and its filling up fast.
A PFBC Basic Boating Course is scheduled for February 25th and 26th. (Mon. & Tues.) from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. at the Nature Center on Presque Isle (Stull Interpretive Center). This looks as though it is going to be a large class with provisions being made to handle all that are interested. This is an eight hour course that covers the basics of boating safety. Materials are provided and there is no cost for the class. This is a great course for the beginning boater or to freshen up your boating skills. Successful completion of the course earns the participant a boaters safety certificate as required for personal watercraft operation. To register you can email Officers Bowser or Leighton at Jwb014@aol.com or Rglerie@aol.com or you may call 774-0928 leaving your name, # of people attending, & a return phone #. Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo 2002
The Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo will be held March 1, 2nd, and 3d at the Family First Sports Park...Interstate 90 at the Peach Street exit. This is the largest event of its kind in the Erie area always delivers a wealth of exhibits, information, and the latest in hunting and angling products. Local area sports clubs along with state and national organizations round out the displays assuring a great way to break out of the cabin fever. Local officers from the Erie and surrounding areas will be on hand throughout the weekend manning the PFBC booth. Take the opportunity to stop by with your questions and comments or just to say hello. For more information you can email info@eriepromoandexpo.com or go to www.eriepromoandexpo.com/sportandtravel01.htm for show times, directions and details. Fishing License Increase Needed... (Straight Talk)
No one likes price increases. WCO's & deputies also have to buy their own licenses (despite some rumors to the contrary) I did a little research on the Internet to check out the consumer price index to see how licenses compared.
Here are a few items and their percentage increase in price since 1962:
Hershey bar 1180%
New York Times 1100%
First class postage 700%
Hamburger (McDonald's double) 861%
Chevrolet (full size) 790%
License prices fell behind all of these. Your help is needed !! This isn't to say that you have to agree with all the programs and actions of the Commission. ( We all have our own focuses & pet projects.) Decisions are made for the common good always considering public comment, staff input, and the future of the resource. The way I see it ... the bottom line is this: Our fathers & Grandfathers did their part to make sure that this resource was here for us ... we have an obligation to make sure it is here for our kids and grand kids. Do your part ... call or write your local Legislator or Senator to tell them you support a Fishing License increase. ... jb
Central Erie County / WCO Tom Edwards
Local Forecast:
Wednesday: Partly cloudy skies. High around 26F. Winds W 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday night: Starlit skies. Low around 18F. Winds SSW 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny early then partly cloudy later in the day. High around 38F. Winds SW 15 to 20 mph.
Thursday (24 hours): Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s and lows in the low 30s.
Friday (24 hours): Mix of rain and snow showers. Highs in the upper 30s and lows in the mid 20s.
Saturday (24 hours): Chance of a few snow showers. Highs in the mid 30s and lows in the low 20s. Presque Isle Bay...
is ice free with only skim ice at the head. Burbot are being taken from the Erie Cannel on some days. This opportunity should continue the next few weeks. Several large shiners fished toward the bottom is the best bet for these great tasting fighters. EASTERN ERIE / WESTERN WARREN FISHING REPORT / WCO Mark Kerr PRESEASON STOCKING LIST **(correction from last report)**
[start time(s) needed to be adjusted, due to program error] DATE WATER AREA MEETING PLACE & TIME 03-14 FRENCH-SOUTH BRANCH CORRY HATCHERY @ 8:30 AM 03-22 BROKENSTRAW CREEK SPRING CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE HALL (SR 0426) @ 8:45 AM 03-25 SPRING CREEK SPRING CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE HALL (SR 0426) @ 8:45 AM 03-27 LITTLE BROKENSTRAW LOTTSVILLE (SR 0957) @ 9:00 AM 04-01 BLUE EYE RUN COLUMBUS VOLUNTEER FIRE HALL (SR 0957) @ 8:45 AM 04-01 COFFEE CREEK COLUMBUS VOLUNTEER FIRE HALL (SR 0957) @ 8:45 AM 04-03 LAKE PLEASANT LAKE PLEASANT (SR 1001) @ 9:00 AM 04-12 TWENTYMILE CREEK EXIT 39 OFF I-79 (McKEAN) @ 10:00 AM IN-SEASON STOCKING LIST: WEEK OF WATER AREA SPECIES 04-15-02 TWENTYMILE BROWN 04-22-02 BROKENSTRAW BROWN & RAINBOW 04-22-02 FRENCH-SOUTH BRANCH BROWN & RAINBOW 04-29-02 LAKE PLEASANT BROWN & RAINBOW 04-29-02 TWENTYMILE BROWN 05-06-02 SPRING CREEK BROOK, BROWN & RAINBOW 05-06-02 LITTLE BROKENSTRAW BROOK, BROWN & RAINBOW 05-13-02 BLUE EYE BROOK & BROWN 12-02-02 LAKE PLEASANT BROWN & RAINBOW 02-10-03 LAKE PLEASANT BROWN & RAINBOW
ANTICIPATED EASTERN ERIE COUNTY COHO/STEELHEAD
STOCKING ALLOTMENT FOR 2002:
SPECIES WATER AREA ALLOTMENT (APX.)
COHO TWENTYMILE 5,000 STEELHEAD ORCHARD BEACH 25,000 STEELHEAD PECK RUN 5,000 STEELHEAD TWELVEMILE 25,000 STEELHEAD TWENTYMILE 20,000
TWENTYMILE STEELHEAD CONCERNS
During the month of January concerned anglers reported dead/distressed Steelhead within Twentymile Creek, especially in that area from the railroad tubes (Gulf Road) north to the I-90 overpass. Responding to those concerns, I would first like to thank those who reported their findings; continue with your observations, they are appreciated as well as investigated. Continuing, I have personally walked that entire section from inside New York and ending north of the I-90 overpass, below Hirtzel's Pond; additionally, I have reviewed that section remaining at various points. During this investigation there was no more than a handful of Steelhead that were found dead. This is not to say that the reports received were unfounded, only that at the time of my initial overall review, on 01-16-02, that mortality finding were minimal. Additionally, within several stretches, I observed numerous Steelhead scurry off, seemingly quite active and healthy.
I can report no findings of any apparent pollution -- be it sedimentation, industrial or residential discharge, etc. Water color, clarity and flow is/has been consistent with expected levels; given weather characteristics during this last month.
In short, I can offer no reason outside of normal environmental stresses (i.e.: water temperature variance, ice formation, genetics, etc.) that would be causing the type of behavior reported (i.e.: mortality and/or stiff, sluggish behavior).
If anyone has additional comments/concerns, or if anyone has information which would further investigation regarding this situation, please feel free to contact me at (814) 796-1378; or, you may e-mail WCO Bowser and I will, if requested, return reply as soon as possible. Thanks!!
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