Action picks up as rivers clear
Lake Erie ( Erie County) Walleye continue to be stacked and scattered in 1480 feet of water. Jigs were effective at 30- to 40- foot depths, and limits were iced by trolling stickbaits, spoons and crawler harnesses. Larger walleye were caught by slowly bouncing baits off the bottom. Shore anglers threw Erie Dearies off break walls. Aboard the Reel Nutz, Tom Campbell of Oakdale said the fishing is “probably the best I’ve seen it in 10 years.” On recent trips he marked ‘ eyes in 42- 58 feet of water east and west of Walnut Creek, and had hookups using stick baits, spoons and crawler harnesses.
Raccoon Lake ( Beaver County) Canoeists reported largemouths caught on Texas rigged dark plastic worms bounced through the deepest submerged creek channels.
North Park Lake ( Allegheny County) Channel catfish were caught on red worms above the upper dam.
Ohio River ( Allegheny County) Flatheads and channel cats took cut bait and chicken livers at night, and smallmouths went for spinners and live minnows around dawn. Muskellunge hit big plugs and spoons at dawn.
Allegheny River ( Allegheny County) Channel cats of 20 and 23 inches went for a minnow and a shrimp during Venture Outdoor’s Tri- Anglers program held Wednesday under the Clemente Bridge on the North Shore.
Twin Lakes ( Westmoreland County) A 17- inch rainbow trout took paste bait on the upper lake. Slow fishing was reported on the lower lake.
Conemaugh River Lake ( Westmoreland County) Reports from the outflow described a hot largemouth-smallmouth bite. At dusk, catfish, crappies, yellow perch, common carp and freshwater drum were picked up.
Youghiogheny River ( Fayette, Somerset counties) Last week waters were clear and fishable below the dam for perhaps the first time this summer. Anglers reported smallmouth bass, channel cats, bluegill, freshwater drum and shad taken on hard lures and live baits.
Fish with outdoors editor John Hayes at the Post- Gazette Family Fishing Area during the Moraine State Park Regatta on the south shore 11 a. m.- 5 p. m. Saturday and 11 a. m.- 4 p. m. Sunday. Details at lakearthurregatta.org. More detailed Fishing Report at www.post-gazette.gazette.com/life/outdoors.