Fish are more active after record temperatures
Lake Erie (Erie County) Last week’s storms temporarily churned the thermocline, forcing cool water up while warm water slipped under at some locations off the lake. Temperature variation was evident off Walnut Creek on Monday when prey fish moved higher in the water column and anglers marked few walleye below 55 feet. Water temperatures returned to normal by Wednesday.
Walleye took varied baits at the bottom near the Presque Isle lighthouse Wednesday. A lot of throwbacks were boated in 80 feet of water north of the peninsula. Hot baits included deep-diving plugs with Dipseys, spoons and crawler harnesses. A walleye boat limit was caught in four hours during an Angleharder charter with Captain Phill Wilson, and five steelhead were also boated, including a 34- inch 12 ½ - pounder taken by Mike Nelson of Peters. Following showers Thursday, the sky over Erie was expected to be partly cloudy through the weekend.
Lake Arthur ( Butler County) A 37-inch muskellunge took a 6-inch, deep-diving lure and was released Saturday. Good bass fishing was reported off Mt. Zion Church, and crappies took tipped jigs at night. Stephen Graham of Monroeville caught a 16-inch bullhead on cutbait from shore off Neally’s Point.
Raccoon Lake (Beaver County) Hand-size bluegills went for small live minnows at the edge of weeds off the North Boat Ramp.
Ohio River ( Beaver County) Catfish took cut bait from dusk until about 1 p.m. from Vanport to Conway.
Ohio River (Allegheny County) Stephen Leeds of Edgeworth released a 32inch flathead catfish taken from shore off Brighton Heights late Wednesday evening.
Allegheny River (Allegheny County) Hannah Long, 10, of Oakmont caught her first fish, a 14 1/2-inch smallmouth bass, off the Riverwalk near Acrisure Stadium while fishing with Venture Outdoors’ Lunchtime Fishing Wednesday. The free program includes rods, gear, bait and supervision and adults do not need a fishing license. Lunchtime Fishing runs 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Get more information at ventureoutdoors.org or 412-2550564.
Lynn Run (Westmoreland County) Rainbow trout in the 15-inch range were caught in deep pools in late afternoon.
Cheat River ( Fayette County) Daryll Carville of Oakland caught an 18-inch largemouth bass on a softplastic fluke in waters off Lake Lynn on Saturday. 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.