Ice fishing underway on some lakes
Lake Erie and tributaries (Erie County) Creeks were low, clear and slushy, and some slow moving pools were freezing over. A few steelhead catches were reported on Elk Creek. Nick Dazcowski of Elizabeth hooked up on several tributaries. Crappies were boated in Misery Bay, but shore fishing was generally unproductive. On Thursday, bay ice remained too thin for fishing. A Western Pennsylvania Hardwater Tournament Series event will be held Feb. 6-7 if there is solid ice.
Eaton Reservoir (Erie County) Small walleye, yellow perch and crappies were caught under 6-8 inches of ice.
Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County) On Thursday, ice was reported to be thin and unsafe. With the outflow stopped, anglers casting tipped jigs and blade baits caught yellow perch and bluegills in the spillway and tailrace. Panfish and perch were taken at the Linesville and the Jamestown docks. The Pymatuning Trail Blazers Ice Fishing Tournament is set for Feb.13, pending solid ice.
Canadohta Lake (Crawford County) Small muskellunge and crappies were pulled through a half foot of ice. The annual Canadohta Ice Fishing Tournament is Feb. 13, pending solid ice.
Sugar Lake (Crawford County) Perch and crappies were taken off the bottom at 12 feet under about 6 inches of ice.
Conneaut Lake (Crawford County) Risky ice was reported Thursday.
Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County) The annual ice fishing tournament was canceled due to lack of ice, and the surface remained hazardous Thursday.
Shenango Reservoir (Mercer County) No safe ice.
Justus Lake (Venango county) No safe ice.
Kahle Lake (Venango County) Panfish and perch were caught through intermittent ice.
Allegheny River (Venango County) Smallmouths were taken. Walleye were pulled from the curve near Reno.
Lake Arthur (Butler County) The Western Pennsylvania Hardwater Tournament Series was canceled due to lack of ice, but organizers said the lake will be used as an alternative location for upcoming ice tournaments.
Raccoon Lake (Beaver County) On Thursday, ice was generally too thin for safe fishing.
Allegheny River (Armstrong County) Muskellunge were caught near tributary mouths.
Buffalo Creek (Armstrong County) Fly and spin anglers caught trout in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area.
North Park Lake (Allegheny River) Thin ice was reported Thursday.
Ohio River (Allegheny County) Shore anglers pulled walleye off shallow structure and tributaries.
Twin Lakes (Westmoreland County) Risky ice was expected to reach safer stages over the weekend.
Canonsburg Lake (Washington County) Ice was too thin for fishing Thursday, but at the outflow anglers caught trout in open water.
Cross Creek Lake (Washington County) Thin ice was reported.
Monongahela River (Washington County) Good numbers of walleye, sauger and saugeye were taken off structure, particularly at the No. 4 lock near Charleroi.
Monongahela River (Greene County) Muskies in excess of 50 inches were boated while trolling.
Quemahoning Reservoir (Somerset County) Northern pike and largemouth bass were taken on open water near the Green Bridge. Ice fishing is prohibited.
High Point Lake (Somerset County) Panfish and yellow perch were pulled through the ice.