WCO Report for Erie County 03/25/2009: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: March 24, 2009

Anglers should be aware of local regulations regarding the up coming regular season Trout opener April 18th for our area.

The Upper Gravel Pit Pond, Lake Pleasant, and the East and West Basin Ponds at Presque Isle State Park have been open and part of the Early Season Trout Stocked Waters Program. These waters will be closed to fishing from April 1st until 8:00 AM, April 18th, the opening of regular trout season.

It is unlawful to fish or possess trout or salmon in or along any Lake Erie tributary stream or the East and West Basin Ponds (Waterworks Ponds, Presque Isle State Park) from 12:01 AM on April 17th until 8:00 AM on April 18th, a period of 32 hours
All anglers fishing Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and their tributaries are required to possess a valid Lake Erie permit.
The main tributaries where a permit is required are Cascade Creek, Crooked Creek, Eight mile Creek, Elk Creek, Four mile Creek, Mill Creek, Raccoon Creek, Seven mile Creek, Six mile Creek, Sixteen mile Creek, Twelve mile Creek, Twenty mile Creek, and Walnut Creek.

Conneaut Creek, although partially in the Commonwealth, does actually enter into Lake Erie within the border of the state of Ohio. Therefore, anglers are not required to possess a Lake Erie Permit.

Anglers fishing the East and West Basin ponds (Waterworks Ponds, Presque Isle State Park) are not required to possess a Lake Erie Permit.

Anglers fishing inland ponds, lakes and reservoirs in Erie County are not required to possess a Lake Erie Permit.

In many cases an angler may need both a trout/salmon permit and a Lake Erie permit to fish in waters in the Erie area. Rather than purchasing these individually, a Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie permit may be purchased.

Perch Regulations Change Reminder:
The winter 7" minimum size for yellow perch drops to no minimum size effective April 1st, 2009. The daily creel limit of 30 fish remains the same.

Annual Linesville State Fish Hatchery Open House:

The annual Linesville State Fish Hatchery Open House, "A Day at the Hatchery" will be held on Saturday April 4th from 11:00 AM till 3:30 PM. This annual event is a real draw for area anglers and the families and offers a chance to see where it all starts.

Demonstrations are scheduled on a rotating basis to allow all visitors to see all demonstrations during their visit. Times will be posted and announced. Check the schedule near the main doors of the Visitor Center or at the site of the demonstrations. These events include "The Walleye Spawning Process", "How Old is That Fish", Filleting and Cooking Fish, Electro Fishing, Fly Tying, and live reptiles, amphibians, and Invertebrates,
Events targeting the kids include "Fish Prints", "Kids Casting", and "How to Rig a Rod and Reel"

Inside the Visitor Center, you will be able to browse through Fish and Boat Commission exhibits and activities, and find information about other nearby attractions. Visit displays and information areas provided by other organizations, too. Check out the two-story aquarium and see some real trophy fish, and a few you may have never seen before.

This Open House is our chance to show you how the Fish and Boat Commission provides fishing and boating opportunities. Its also your chance to shake off winter's grip and get a taste of what awaits you this fishing and boating season. This fish hatchery plays an important role in growing and stocking walleye and musky statewide. Events, demonstrations and displays are designed to give you some insight into how we do both. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable day and look forward to seeing you there.

Directions to the Linesville State Fish Hatchery coming from the East: From the intersection of I-80 and I-79, go north on I-79 to exit 147-B at Meadville. Take St. Rt. 322/6 west to Conneaut Lake. Take Rt. 6 west to Linesville. In the middle of town, turn left at the traffic light (Hartstown Rd.) and go one mile to the hatchery on the left.

Directions to the Linesville State Fish Hatchery coming from the West: From Ohio, follow St. Rt. 6 to Ohio Rt. 85. This road goes over the causeway of Pymatuning Reservoir and turns into PA Rt. 285 at the state line in the middle of the reservoir. Take St. Rt. 285 to the 2nd flashing light at Hartstown Road. Romar Homes is on the corner at this intersection. Turn left and continue past the spillway (one mile), past the Pa Game Commission's Pymatuning Wildlife Learning Center approximately one mile to the hatchery on the right.

Suckers Are Moving In:

Suckers have started to move into the tribs. Although the numbers aren't big yet, they are normally a sign that Spring is just around the corner. Although often considered a nuisance fish when steelhead fishing, suckers can be great fun to catch and provide easy action for the impatient young anglers. Suckers can be caught on just about any tackle. The most effective method is light or ultral ight spinning tackle. Four to six pound test monofilament should be used, along with small, sharp hooks. Worms, live aquatic nymphs, maggots and wax worms are the best baits for suckers. Fish directly on the bottom, either with a stationary rig with a sliding sinker, or with a drifting rig that moves along the bottom with the current. In short, you can fish them the same way that you would fish for steelhead using pretty much the same gear and if the steelhead or trout aren't hitting, a pool full of Suckers can save the day with some fun filled action.

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Cloudy. Showers likely in the evening...then scattered showers after midnight. Lows around 40. South winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Thursday...Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 40s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening. Lows in the upper 30s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming west after midnight. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Friday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 50s.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.

Saturday...Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 50s.

Saturday Night...Showers likely. Lows in the upper 30s. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Sunday...Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 40s.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain showers. Lows around 30.

Monday...Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain showers. Highs in the lower 50s.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.

Tuesday...Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of rain showers. Highs around 50.