Steelhead fishing has been tough over the past week with no rain leaving the tribs very low and very clear. There is the possibility of rain in the forecasts, however, at this point it does not look significant. Many anglers have chosen to wait out the rain and as such the low conditions have provided significant elbow room. Anglers that are catching fish are doing so at daybreak and at dusk for the most part. Very light presentations are a must with many anglers dropping line strength and tippets as low as 2 lbs.

There are fair to good reports of steelhead being caught in Presque Isle Bay and Marina Bay at Presque Isle State Park. A number of anglers floating shiners have picked up an occasional steelhead while targeting perch and crappie. Steelhead have been caught in these areas both from shore and by boat. Best bets right now would be to target deeper water at the tributary mouths as well as the lake shore at Trout and Godfrey runs on calm days.

A few fish are being pulled from the Walnut Creek basin for the patient anglers.

Lake Erie water temperature as of this writing is 49 degrees. Area tributary conditions as of this writing are extremely low and clear.

Law Enforcement

Low, clear conditions have made angling a challenge for the honest sportsmen, however, being able to see the fish in the shallow conditions has made poaching and snagging all too tempting. Area officers continue to have their hands full. Violations this past week included snagging, failure to release foul hooked fish, failure to conform to the vehicle code, not conforming to posted traffic control signs, and litter.

The area upstream of Streuchan Flats is posted property, on both sides of Elk Creek. Beckman Road area is also posted. The PFBC controlled parking area at intersection of West Road and Sterritania Road (across form the Elk Creek Inn) is available for parking and its use is encouraged.

Anglers fishing the upper stretches of Elk Creek are reminded that parking along Interstate 90 is prohibited and is strictly enforced by the Pennsylvania State Police.

Jimmy Dallas Memorial Dedication

On Tuesday, November 24th, there will be a ceremony at the Walnut Creek Access Memorial Garden to formally dedicate the plaque placed there by the Pennsylvania Coalition of Sportsmen to commemorating the life of Jimmy. The event will take place at 1:30 PM at the garden area and would be moved the the Walnut Creek Access building in the event of inclement weather. The public is welcome and anyone who know this great sportsman is encouraged to attend.

Local Weather

Wednesday Night
Showers likely. Lows in the mid 40s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Thursday
Occasional showers. Highs in the mid 50s. South winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows around 40. West winds 10 to 15 mph.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 40s.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. Highs around 50.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.
Sunday
Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs around 50.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain showers. Lows in the mid 30s.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain showers. Highs around 50.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 40s.

The Erie area definitely could use some rain. Although tributary levels are at reasonable levels, considering in years past we have seen them at barely a trickle, the fact is the water is crystal clear. Although these conditions are tough, they are by no means impossible. Shiners, single eggs, tiny jigs, and the sucker spawn patterns have all triggered some strikes. Often in these conditions, working micro jigs can trigger an aggressive strike. The lightest of line and tippets is a must along with the smallest of hooks down to size 18. If one spot isn't producing, try moving, look for deeper pools or deep moving water where the fish have more cover. Many areas along lower Elk Creek have downed trees and deep pools giving fish the cover they seek. It's no secret that if you can see the fish...they can see you. The lakeshore at Trout and Godfrey runs can be good places to try when the tribs are down and clear.

Perch are still hitting north of Walnut Creek and off the Point, wind and waves permitting.

Current West County tributary conditions as of Tuesday afternoon were low and very clear with little flow. Current Lake Erie water temperature is degrees.

Jimmy Dallas Sunset Garden Memorial Correction

In last weeks report it was mentioned the the memorial commemorating the life of Jimmy Dallas was donated by the SONS of Lake Erie. The memorial was in fact a collaborative effort by the Erie Sportsmen's' Coalition of Pennsylvania. This great organization is comprised of many outdoor sportsmen's clubs that together made this wonder memorial a reality.

Temporary Regulations Changes to Conneaut and Turkey Creeks

On October 26, 2009, Act 40 of 2009 will go into effect. This act amends section 2907.2 of the Fish and Boat Code, 30 Pa. C.S. §2907.2 (relating to Lake Erie fishing permits), to provide that a special Lake Erie permit is required to fish in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries, including waters that flow into those tributaries, instead of “the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries” only. This amendment requires anglers, effective October 26, to procure a Lake Erie fishing permit in order to fish in Conneaut Creek, Turkey Creek and their tributaries when previously one was not required because although these streams begin in Pennsylvania, they enter Lake Erie in Ohio. Although a Lake Erie permit will be required to fish these streams, Act 40 also provides that proceeds derived from their sale may now be used to fund projects on those waters. The Commission’s regulations at 58 Pa. Code §65.24 (relating to miscellaneous special regulations) currently provide that a Lake Erie permit is not required on Conneaut Creek, Turkey Creek and their tributaries. In order to be consistent with the new law, this section must be amended to remove that language.

In addition, the Commission currently applies the seasons, sizes and creels limits applicable to Lake Erie and its tributaries under §69.12 (relating to seasons, sizes and creel limits – Lake Erie and Lake Erie tributaries) to the portion of Conneaut Creek that flows through Erie County. However, the Commission applies the seasons, sizes and creel limits applicable to Commonwealth inland waters under §61.1 (relating to Commonwealth inland waters) to the portion of Conneaut Creek and its tributaries that flow through Crawford County except with regard to salmon and steelhead that are addressed in §65.24. In order to be consistent with the new law, §65.24 must be amended to remove the existing language. With this change, the Commission will apply the Lake Erie seasons, sizes and creel limits to the entire length of Conneaut Creek and its tributaries. The Commission is actively developing a viable steelhead fishery in Conneaut Creek by annually stocking smolts.

The Executive Director of the Commission, acting under the authority of 58 Pa. Code §65.25 (relating to temporary changes to fishing regulations), has taken immediate action to amend §65.24 as follows. This temporary modification will go into effect on October 26, 2009 and will remain in effect until the Commission, by appropriate action, rescinds the regulations.

Support Your Local Sportsmens' Clubs

The Pennsylvania Steelhead Association will be holding their next meeting at 7 PM Wednesday, November 11th at the American Legion Post 773 at 4109 West 12th Street in Erie. This is on the south side of West 12th Street (State Route 5), just east of the Erie Airport. The public is welcome.

Hunting Season

With hunting season upon us and regular deer season right around the corner, anglers are reminded that wearing some type of bright clothing especially in the remote areas of the tribs will help keep you out of hunters sights. There is no special rule or regulation on this but a little blaze orange makes good sense in any wooded area this time of year. Many of the upper areas of Elk and Crooked creeks run through prime hunting areas.

Littering

The littering messages are not getting through especially at the Walnut and Elk Creek accesses. With dumpsters at every corner of the Walnut Creek parking lot, there is no excuse for anything left on the ground. All area officers are always on the watch for litter problems and maximum fines will be levied for any such violations. Take responsibility for the area you are fishing and take a little extra trash to the dumpster, even if it wasn't yours. It will make you feel good and a little effort by everyone will go a long way towards keeping our area a little cleaner and fishing access open to the public.

Local Weather

Wednesday Night
Clear. Lows in the lower 30s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s. East winds 10 to 15 mph.
Friday
Partly cloudy. Highs around 60.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy in the evening...then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs around 60. Chance of rain 30 percent.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 40s.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 50s.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows around 40.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 40s.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Lows in the upper 30s.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 40s.

This week saw some precipitation with enough rain to really get the steelhead moving and put some color back in the water. As quickly as the tributaries swell, they all to quickly fall back to low and clear conditions. Fishing conditions have been generally good with steelhead movement well upstream and steelhead season well into prime time. A good number of legal limits (and a few illegal limits) were observed this past weekend.

Successful anglers are sticking to very light line and tippets with very small presentations. Fly anglers seemed to be having the most success.

Elk Creek has been producing good numbers well up to Route 20. The access areas at Walnut and Elk creeks have been heavily congested and anglers using these areas over the next few weeks should expect crowded conditions. Boaters have been picking up steelhead in Presque Isle Bay and the surrounding areas. Angling pressure has been dramatically less during the week.

Conditions permitting, a few number of boats have been on the troll along the shoreline and on the few calm days we have had, perch fishing has been good due north of Walnut Creek.

Current trib conditions as of Tuesday afternoon were somewhat clear with light flow. Current Lake Erie water temperature is 53 degrees off the Port of Erie.

Jimmy Dallas Sunset Garden Memorial

As most of the local angling community is aware, Jimmy Dallas passed away this past February. To most people, his name simply said it all. His passing at the age of 90 was a sad note to the Erie Community. Jimmy spent a lifetime supporting and working for the Erie fishing community and its resources. He was one of the founders and developers of the steelhead program in Erie and successfully lobbied the ban of gill nets on Lake Erie. Jimmy spent 15 years as a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer.

The SONS of Lake Erie recently sponsored a beautiful memorial that was permanently placed in the Walnut Creek Access Memorial Garden. This fitting memorial describes Jimmy for all the good that he contributed to the Erie angling community and the relief picture of Jimmy on it is done in fine detail right down to his signature tooth pick in the corner of his mouth. Be sure to take a moment to see it.

Walnut Creek Access Traffic Flow

Anglers and boaters using the Walnut Creek Access are reminded to use the new traffic flow pattern. When used as designed, it works well. Traffic should not be exiting the area along the creek, but instead should exit the area on the far west side of the lot. Exiting along the creek is simply driving the wrong way on a one way and subjects the entrance intersection to a potential accident. Please observe the posted signs...it's not that complicated.

Support Your Local Sportsmens' Clubs

The Pennsylvania Steelhead Association will be holding their next meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 11th at the American Legion Post 773 at 4109 West 12th Street in Erie. This is on the south side of West 12th Street (State Route 5), just east of the Erie Airport. The public is welcome.

Walnut Creek Marina Basin

Docks have been cleared and the Walnut Creek Marina basin was opened last week to fishing. The basin is a popular spot and can provide a far less stressful steelhead fishing experience. It is a great place for the kids and is handicapped accessible.

Local Weather

Wednesday Night
Cloudy with a chance of rain showers...may mix with a little snow after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
Thursday
Rain showers likely...may mix with a little snow late. Little or no snow accumulation. Highs in the mid 40s. Temperature falling into the upper 30s during in the afternoon. West winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers. Lows in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
Friday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.
Saturday
Partly sunny. Not as cool with highs in the mid 50s.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. Highs around 60.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.
Monday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 60s.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 60s.