WCO Report for Erie County 10/17/2007: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: October 17, 2007

Conditions: The lack of any significant rainfall around the area has left little but a broken record on fishing conditions in the area tributaries. Although the nights have been cool, the lack of rain has left but a trickle in many areas and fish stacking up in the gin clear waters near the mouths. There has been some good steelhead fishing along the shoreline and Tuesday morning catches along the wall at Walnut Creek were spectacular with only minutes between hook ups. Perch schools seem to be moving west somewhat, with good catches reported north of the Conneaut, Ohio harbor in 50-60' of water. Current Lake Erie water temperature off the Port of Erie is 60 degrees. Current tributary conditions as of Tuesday afternoon were extremely low with very little flow.

Walnut Creek Walnut Creek Marina Basin Information:

Boats and Docks will be removed from the Walnut Creek Access marina basin towards the end of October, weather permitting. The Marina is tentatively scheduled to be open for fishing on the afternoon of November 8th. The annual opening of the marina has become quite popular and this year with the low water levels we have experienced, the marina may just be one of the hot spots for steelhead fishing. Fishing the marina is a great spot to take the kids and is handicap accessible. For more information on the Walnut Creek Marina you can call 814-833-2464.

Walnut Creek Memorial/Recognition Wall Update from Christie:

The gardens The gardens are looking great and had a good year except for the area around the red maple tree - some animal continues to eat the annuals on a regular basis. Otherwise, the wall is filling up and 8 more pavers have just been engraved. We still have room for lots more for you, your family, your pets or your friends. I had to make a modest increase in cost - the 4x8's are now $60. and the 8x8's are $120. This is the first increase since I started the wall 7 years ago. The funds which are now in the Erie Community Foundation are growing and will shortly be a big help in maintaining the garden. So, leave a legacy for your family and friends to see 50- 100 years from now and help keep this Marina the special and beautiful place that it is. Many people have given the pavers for Birthday, Anniversary and Christmas gifts as well as leaving a memorial. Brochures are available at the Walnut Creek Access Office or by calling me at 814-474-2577 or using my email: cbfbeach@aol.com.

Law Enforcement:
Several questions have been posed regarding exchanging fish on a stringer or "culling" and continuing to fish after catching one's limit. The answers are as follows:

It is legal to fish catch and release after catching a daily limit as long as no fish are killed and no fish are taken. However, if a fish caught after having a daily creel limit cannot be released immediately and unharmed (for any reason), a violation has occurred. For this reason, it is NOT a recommended practice to continue to fish on a catch and release basis after taking a daily creel limit. While it is legal if the last fish caught is immediately returned unharmed to the waters from which it was caught, because of the chances for noncompliance in such a situation, it's not a good idea. Also, you are not allowed to trade fish from the stringer for bigger ones caught later. Fish on the stringer are "taken" even if they are alive. Once placed on a stringer or in a live well or other container is part of the daily creel limit. The exception is for fishing tournaments, which require a special permit. You are not allowed to trade a fish from the stringer for a mortally wounded fish caught after you have a limit. Catching the fish that is mortally wounded is a violation even if the intent of the angler was to fish on a catch and release basis. Since the angler would be unable to immediately return it unharmed to the waters from which taken, a violation has occurred.

Anglers fishing the area, are strongly advised to assure that there vehicles are locked and valuables not left in plain view or worse in the back of an open pick up truck or on the ground around the vehicle. Don't invite trouble. Any theft problems should be reported to WCO Brook Tolbert at 814-566-7869, WCO Edward Stuart at 814-572-0066, WCO James Smolko at 814-572-0078, or the Girard State Police at 814-774-9611

Local Weather: Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. Southwest winds around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Thursday...Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 50s.

Friday...Cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Friday Night...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 40s.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs around 60.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy in the evening...then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.

Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 60s.

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

Monday...Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.