WCO Report and Photo for Erie County 06/29/2011: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: June 28, 2011

June 29th, 2011

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

Conditions:
Perch fishing continues to be fair to good although the schools seem to be on the move not having settled heavily in any particular areas.. 45 to 50 feet of water Northwest of Walnut Creek is the currently the hot area. with good numbers schooling up at similar depths North of the point at Presque Isle. A good number of perch (30) and walleye limits (6) were brought into the Walnut Access this past weekend. Good Perch action typically will last all summer and well into the fall months. Shiners are plentiful although many anglers will use fathead minnows. The fat heads will not trigger as many strikes however, they are much easier to keep alive in the bait bucket.
Bass fishing continues to be good. Presque Isle Bay has been good in any area where there is cover. Hot spots include Horseshoe pond around the Perry Monument, the North and South Piers, and the East and West Piers along the channel entering Mariana Lake. Tube baits and other soft plastics, jerk baits, and live shiners, leeches, and crawlers have all been working well. One of the best baits for bass are live crayfish available at some bait shops.

Walleye action seems to have picked up somewhat. Boaters have been picking up eyes in shallower water, 25 to 45 feet and in 60 to 65 feet North of the Point and West to Walnut Creek. Michigan Stinger spoons and crawler harnesses are always good starter choices. Reef runners in gold and copper have been triggering good strikes as well as.

The Stateline ponds along Interstate 90 at the Ohio line have had very little fishing pressure lately. This can be a good place to try your luck for crappie, perch, and sunfish. The ponds also hold a fair number of bass. The Stateline ponds are relatively shallow and are a good place to use a canoe or small car top boats. There are no launch ramps and most of the area is primitive.

Current Lake Erie water temperature off Erie is 66 degrees

Drinking, Boating, and the Law:
With Summer, warm weather and and the up coming holiday weekend upon us drinking and boating all too often become related activities. The penalties for operation of a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance could lead to a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $7,500, or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both, plus the loss of boating privileges for a period of 12 months. Homicide by watercraft while under the influence carries a fine of not less than $2,500 nor exceeding $15,000, or imprisonment of no less than three and no more than seven years, or both. In addition to the offenses described above, operating a watercraft under the influence may also violate other laws. These may include prohibitions against reckless or negligent operation of boats, public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and under-age drinking. Can you afford it? Have a safe Holiday Weekend.

Maintaining Your Bilge Pump and Bilge Area:
The insurance industry points to faulty bilge pumps as the number one cause of boats sinking. Many sunken boats are the result of the bilge pump not working at the owners slip. The following guidelines will help you keep the bilge pump in great shape:

1) Inspect the bilge pump regularly, about once a month.

2) Check the bilge pump action by lifting the float manually to ensure that the pump kicks on automatically.

3) Make sure no debris blocks the pivot arm from rising and falling.

4) Look for corrosion and rust, particularly on wires and connections.

5) Check for loose wires and replace or resplice corroded wires. Make sure the wires are positioned above the high
water mark.

6) Take note of the amount of water in the bilge. If it is excessive, check the source and address the problem.

7) Make sure any fittings below the waterline are double-clamped and free of leaks.

8) Bilge pumps should have power at all times. Make sure that yours is wired directly to the battery (or the main
battery switch).

9) Check the condition and voltage of the fuse to ensure it meets manufacturer specifications to avoid blowouts.

10) Always have a spare fuse on hand.

11) For continual bilge maintenance and odor control, pour about a half-cup of a quality bilge cleaner into the bilge weekly over the course of the boating season. This will prevent debris buildup and avoid bilge pump malfunctions.

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night...Partly cloudy in the evening...then becoming mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Friday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

Friday Night...Partly cloudy in the evening...then becoming mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Warmer with lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Saturday...Partly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Sunday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

Sunday Night...Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Independence Day...Mostly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 80. Chance of rain 30 percent.