WCO Report for Erie County 05/18/2011: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: May 18, 2011

Brought to you by FishLakeErie.com


[FishLakeErie.com] [ PA Fish Reports ] [ News/Articles ] [ More WCO Reports & Photos ] [ Recent WCO ]

Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on May 18, 2011 at 08:05:56:

May 18th, 2011

West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, rglerie@msn.com

Conditions:
The wet and windy Spring continues around Erie with the rainfall creating significant run off and affecting fishing patterns throughout the area. The Erie area has Lake Fishing is picking up though, with the anglers targeting smallmouth trophies along the lakeshore in 20 to 40 feet of water. Catch rates have been good off the International Paper site on the east side of the City of Erie, and West of Walnut Creek. Anglers unable to take to the Lake can find good smallmouth fishing from the shore on the south side of Presque Isle State Park and along the North and South Piers along the Erie Channel. Small mouth fishing has been fair from the boat launch north to the Lake at the Elk Creek access and off the Wall at the Walnut Creek Access Area. Some lake perch are being caught for the patient anglers, but no big numbers yet. A good number of sizable Lake Trout are being brought in to the Northeast Marina as well. Current Lake Erie Water temperature is 46 degrees. (down from over 50 degrees a few weeks ago)


From Executive Director John Arway: We all know that that our staff are our most valuable resource and if you don't believe that just think about where our resources and recreational programs would be without the dedicated staff that work for our agency. As the unofficial start of Pennsylvania's boating season approaches, I'd like to remind all of you to practice safe and responsible boating, always wear your life jacket, and be alert while on the water. By practicing these simple steps you can save your life as well as the lives of the people boating with you.

While boating's considered a fun and safe activity, unfortunately each year about 700 people die in boating-related accidents nationwide. In Pennsylvania, seven boaters died in 2010 as a result of recreational boating accidents and only one of them was wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident. Historically, nearly 80% of Pennsylvania's victims were not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.

On a more positive note, life jackets are more comfortable, convenient and lightweight than ever before. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit every person and recreational opportunity. I encourage you to join with me and demonstrate your personal commitment to wearing a life jacket by visiting our website and submitting the online "Wear It Pennsylvania!" pledge form. The pledge form and a special video featuring me touting the importance of life jackets can be found at: www.WearItPennsylvania.com.

State legislators, Commission staff, U.S. Coast Guard, boating organizations, and others will kick-off National Safe Boating Week on Wednesday, May 18, at 11:15 a.m. in the Main Rotunda of the State Capitol Complex. As part of this special event highlighting the importance of life jackets, attendees will be asked to sign the "Wear It Pennsylvania!" pledge and simultaneously activate (with the simple pull of a cord) an inflatable life jacket in order to be counted in a national record-setting campaign called "Ready, Set, Inflate!". Other events focusing on boating safety will be held across the Commonwealth in conjunction with National Safe Boating Week which is officially celebrated May 21-27.

Enjoy boating, be safe and Wear It PFBC!

Walnut Creek Access Area:

The new traffic patterns have at the Walnut Creek Access for a number of years now and have been working well when used correctly. Boaters and anglers are advised to observe the posted signs and follow the marked traffic patterns to help ease congestion. Traffic not obeying posted traffic signs and patterns are subject fines. It is also suggested that boaters check trailers for proper registration. Expired registrations are a violation anywhere in Pennsylvania.

Refresher on Boating The Erie Area :

Boaters, especially those from out of town that are not familiar with the area should take note of the regulations specific to our area. So often we here "Oh, I didn't know that" or "This is my first time here". Although much of the following is marked, boaters should know these regulations and what minimum swell height means. Generally, this means the slowest speed you can go and still maintain steering control. In most cases this is almost an idle and means little to no wake disturbance. The operator of the boat is responsible for wake he creates as well as any subsequent damage that it may cause. Boats are limited to slow, minimum height swell speed (no wake areas) in the following areas:

Through the Erie Harbor Entrance between the North Pierhead Light (foghorn) and Inter Range Tower.

In the area adjacent to the Dobbins Landing (previously called the Erie Public Dock), extending from the Erie Sand and Gravel Company on the West to the Continental Grain Company piers on the East. The restricted area will include the Canal Basin and extend northward to the harbor line (In short, the channel connecting Presque Isle to Lake Erie).

Within the boundaries of Presque Isle State Park, including the waters of Marina and Misery Bays and the waters along the bay and lake shore for a distance of 500 feet from the shore.

Water skiing, other than for the purpose of take off or approach, is prohibited within 500 feet of the shoreline of Presque Isle peninsula.

The anchoring of watercraft in the entrance channel to Horseshoe Pond, Fox Pond, Marina Bay, the Lagoons or the bridge at Misery Bay in a manner that interferes with the public use of these areas or in a manner which creates a hazard to other watercraft is prohibited.

The mooring of boats to any dock, wharf, pier, ship or boat launching facility in a manner that interferes with public use or creates a hazard to other watercraft is prohibited. Boats are prohibited within 100 feet of designated swimming beaches at Presque Isle State Park.

The internal lagoons from Marina Drive Bridge (Presently under construction with posted detours) at the West end of the Long Pond through the northern entrance of Graveyard Pond shall be limited non powered watercraft and electric motors only.

Maps of the area can be found at most area bait shops and on many on line sites.

UPDATE - WALNUT CREEK MARINA MEMORIAL WALL - MAY 2011

It's time to take a spring look at the wall at the Marina. It is rapidly filling up---but we still have room for some more pavers to be engraved as birthday, memorial or anniversary

gifts! If you do not know what to give a friend or family member who has everything -- think about a paver as a long lasting gift he or she can enjoy for years to come.

There are two large capstones left on the garden side of the wall and 1 slightly smaller on the south side. These are much larger than the pavers but can be yours for $325 for the

larger and $275 for the smaller. Stop and take a look - you will be touched and interested. The Administration Office is now open and you may pick up a brochure in there or get in

touch with me at the addresses below. The money from the sale of any pavers or capstones goes into an endowment fund at the Erie Community Foundation to pay for

upkeep and maintenance of the wall and the garden into perpetuity.

Christie Ferrier - 81-474-2577 email: cbfbeach@mac.com

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Cloudy with a chance of rain with patchy drizzle. Lows in the lower 50s. East winds 10 to 15 mph...becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Thursday...Cloudy with a chance of rain with patchy drizzle. Highs in the mid 60s. South winds around 5 mph...becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Thursday Night...Cloudy with a chance of rain with patchy drizzle. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Friday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Patchy drizzle in the morning...then a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s.

Saturday...Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy in the evening...then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Monday...Mostly cloudy in the morning...then clearing. Highs around 70.





[FishLakeErie.com] [ PA Fish Reports ] [ News/Articles ] [ More WCO Reports & Photos ] [ Recent WCO ]


(71.116.34.51)