WCO Report for Erie County 08/31/2011: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: August 30, 2011

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on August 30, 2011 at 20:42:33:

August 31st, 2011

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

Conditions:

Perch fishing has picked up some what with catches becoming more consistent. As of late, perching has been good in 50 to 55 feet of water north of the Walnut access and north of the point at Presque Isle. Walleye fishing is still fair to good but seems to remain the best in deeper water. Steelhead catches off shore have increased as well. A few of the first steelhead of the season were caught off the wall early this past Sunday. This is not to say pack the truck, kiss the family goodbye, and head for Erie , but simply to say the return has started in very small numbers.

With overnight temperatures in the 50's and things starting to cool off, steelhead have been staging near the mouths of Walnut Creek and Trout Run. A few steelhead have been entering Walnut Creek at night but quickly head for cooler water at daybreak. There have been a few unconfirmed reports of steelhead caught along the shoreline at Trout Run in the early dawn hours. It is probably not too early to do some early morning trolling near the mouths or to be trying your luck along the shorelines or along the "Wall" at Walnut Creek. Current Lake Erie water temperature is 76 degrees. West County tribs are low and clear with little to no flow.

The Wall:
Anglers fishing the wall along the channel entering Lake Erie at the Walnut Creek Access are again advised that boaters have the absolute right of way angler's lines. Anglers fishing the wall must remove their lines and give way to boaters exiting and entering the channel. Allowing ones line to entangle the prop of a passing boater in this area is a citable offense. Fishing line tangled in a prop can damage an outdrive seal causing oil leaks and possibly extensive damage. Boaters are asked as a courtesy to sound their horn as the exit the basin into the channel to let anglers know to pull their lines.

Trout Regulations Change September 6th for the Erie Area:
Trout and Salmon regulations change September 6th for the Erie area the the limit going to a minimum length of 15 inches and creek limit of 3 fish (combined species), only two (2) of which may be lake trout. This would apply to Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and Peninsular waters, all Lake Erie tributaries in their entirety which include Cascade Creek, Conneaut Creek, Crazy Run, Crooked Creek, East Branch Conneaut Creek, Eight mile Creek, Elk Creek, Four mile Creek, Middle Branch Conneaut Creek, Marsh Run, Mill Creek, Mud Run, Raccoon Creek, Seven mile Creek, Six mile Creek, Sixteen mile Creek, Stone Run, Temple Run, Turkey Creek, Twelve mile Creek, Twenty mile Creek, Walnut Creek, West Branch Conneaut Creek and all waters that flow into these tributaries.

Labor Day:
The Labor Day week end brings the last outing of the boating season for many and the area weather will often change quickly during the month of September. Although the Fall season can often provide some of the nicest boating and the most beautiful Lake Erie sunsets of the year, the change of seasons along with fast moving fronts can bring rapid and often hazardous changes to wind and wave conditions. Be aware of wind and wave forecasts and always keep and eye on the sky, especially to the west. Boaters traveling long distances to our area will often through caution and common sense to the wind in an effort to land a few fish and will often brave conditions that local boaters know can be dangerous. If in doubt, don't go out and have a safe holiday weekend.

Foggy Conditions:
Significant differences between water and air temperature (very common on Lake Erie as we head into the fall months) are a recipe for fog and poor visibility. Consider the following when caught in foggy conditions:
If possible, finding a spot to safely anchor is the best way to ride out foggy conditions. Once anchored, however,, you must sound your compressed air horn (or whistle or bell) for 5 seconds during every minute anchored and you should display your all around white light (anchor light)

If you hear another vessel approaching, give the sound signal to alert oncoming vessels to your presence. One Short Blast and One Prolonged Blast.

Should you find that you must operate a vessel in fog conditions, be sure you are displaying your running lights, immediately reduce speed. Displaying your running lights is required in limited visibility conditions as well as between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning...then partly sunny in the afternoon. Highs around 80. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Thursday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

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

Friday Night...Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows around 70. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

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

Sunday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Labor Day...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Not as warm with highs in the upper 60s.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 50s.

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





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