WCO Report and Photo for Erie County 04/01/2009: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: April 01, 2009

Rain this past weekend put some color and flow into the area tribs helping to keep steelhead conditions good. Night time temperatures have remained in the 30s and 40s helping to keep steelhead around for a while. By Tuesday afternoon, levels were dropping although decent flow and some color remains. Anglers have been doing fair to good along the lakeshore at the mouths of Trout and Godfrey runs wind and waves permitting. Steelhead can be found throughout Presque Isle Bay and Misery Bay. Now is the time to go after the slab crappie in in Presque Isle Bay. Current Lake Erie water temperature is 42 degrees off Toledo, 38 degrees off Cleveland and 38 degrees off the Port of Erie.

Walnut Creek Access Area:

The Marina docks are in along with the launch ramps. Boaters exiting the channel are advised to used caution regarding water depth. We have had a number of high, hard flowing water events that may have helped to clear the channel but at the same time may have built up sand bars just outside the channel.
Those that have been to the Access Area recently have probably been wondering about some of the construction. In short new traffic patterns have been developed and are under construction to help ease congestion and add additional parking.

SONS of Lake Erie Annual Ice Out Party:

The SONS of Lake Erie will hold their annual Ice Out Party on Sunday, April 5, 2009 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Cauley Auditorium, 215 E. 4th Street. This is one of the great family events of the season a a major fundraiser for the SONS. Many area families make this an annual event to break out of the cabin fever. The price of admission to the party is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for kids under 12, payable at the door (toddlers are free). Free hot dogs and refreshments will be furnished throughout the afternoon. There will be plenty of door prizes and games for your enjoyment. The main drawing will be for a choice of either a Yamaha ATV or a motor scooter plus nine other prizes. All through the afternoon there will be numerous drawings with the emphasis on fishing gear. Call 814-453-2270 or visit The SONS of Lake Erie website for more information.

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.

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Partly cloudy. Cooler with lows in the mid 30s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday...Partly cloudy. Warmer with highs in the mid 60s...except cooler near lake erie. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night...Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 40s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Friday...Showers likely. Breezy and cooler with highs in the lower 50s...except cooler near lake erie. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain and snow showers. Cooler with lows in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

Saturday...Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.

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

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 30s.

Monday...Showers likely. Highs in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Monday Night...Cloudy with a chance of rain and snow showers. Lows in the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.

Tuesday...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain showers. Breezy with highs in the mid 40s.