FISHING REPORT
Lake Erie (Erie County): Anglers trolling with downriggers and Dipsy Divers marked walleye in deep water. Some were suspended at 40-50 feet in 65-75 feet of water west of Walnut Creek. Anglers aboard several vessels operated by Buckets Fishing Charters limited out while trolling Bombers at confirmed walleye depths in 65-80 feet of water. Taking another tack, clients of the Perch Pirate headboat took limits while drifting worm harnesses in 60-70 feet of water off The Condos. A lot of shorts were released, but anglers reported walleye in the 27-inch range. Yellow perch were schooling at about 60 feet west of Shades Beach. Recent lightning kept boaters off the water. Thunderstorms were called for Friday with clear skies Saturday and cloud cover Sunday.
Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County): Catfish were deep, perch suspended at 10-15 feet over brush and largemouth bass ambushed prey under shoreline vegetation. Walleye took crawler harnesses in 20-25 feet of water near The Causeway, while anglers trolling for muskellunge found them north of The Causeway. Crappies were taken in deep water and at night. First place in the Duck-N-Drake outdoors shop’s Crappie Madness Brawl was taken by Gary Manville with a 2pound 4.4-ounce slab.
Canadohta Lake (Crawford County): Van Tassel’s Timberland Bait Shop will sponsor its annual Kid’s Fishing tournament for anglers age 16 and under at 68 p.m. Saturday. Get details at timberlandbait.com.
Geneva Marsh (Crawford County): In weedy swamps sometimes called the Conneaut Lake Outlet, Lex Moser won the Kayak Bowfin national championship, held Saturday and Sunday, with five of the odd ancient fish measuring a total of 111.5 inches.
Shenango Lake (Mercer County): White crappies were suspended over brush in deep water. Black crappies up to 1 foot in length were pulled from shallow brush. Muskies went for large live baits, and catfish and panfish were caught below the dam.
Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County): The winners of last weekend’s Wilhelm Crappie tournament series were Dan Druscheal and Gus Glasgow.
Allegheny River (Venango County): In clear water, smallmouths took deep-running jerkbaits.
Lake Arthur ( Butler County): Dozens of black and white crappies took 1½inch rubber grubs and live fatheads while following alewives through submerged creek channels Monday night. Fourteen kids caught their first fish Saturday and Sunday, and many more bluegills, sunfish and redeared sunfish were landed at the Post-Gazette Family Fishing Area during the Moraine State Park Regatta.
Allegheny River (Allegheny County): With the catfish spawn coming to a close on Pittsburgh’s rivers, four catfish were brought to the North Shore wharf by participants in Venture Outdoors’ TriAnglers lunchtime fishing program. Henry Katz, 12, of Squirrel Hill caught an 18inch flathead on a crawler, and another angler took a 16-inch flathead. Tommy Lippert of the North Side used chicken liver to lure two channel cats of 23 and 18 inches. TriAnglers meet 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays under the Clemente Bridge. Loaner rods are available, live bait is free and no fishing license is required. Get details at 412255-0564 or ventureoutdoors.
Youghiogheny River (Allegheny County): Largemouth bass were taken along the Great American Passage Trail in Elizabeth Township.
Cross Creek Lake (Washington County): Largemouths took diving plugs at submerged drop-offs near the dam.
Youghiogheny River (Fayette County): Smallmouths and rainbow trout went for live minnows and worms in cool water below the bottomrelease dam. Raft anglers reported good-sized trout taken on large streamers between Ramcat Run and Lick Run.
File your fishing report and high-resolution digital photos (1MB minimum) at fishingreport@post-gazette.com. Include name, age (for under 18 years), town, species, size, body of water and details of the catch.