Unseasonably warm weather impacts winter feeding habits
Lake Erie tributaries (Erie County) Days after good fishing on Walnut Creek was spoiled by a blowout, 2023 ended with pleasant weather and good flow. The upper reaches of Elk Creek were filled with steelhead and the stream banks were filled with anglers. Favorable conditions during the holiday weekend led to a lot of catches and crossed lines. Wednesday creeks were low and clear and fish were taken throughout the bigger streams.
In smaller waters, hookups occurred in riffles, the deepest pools, overhangs and creek mouths. Egg sacs, single eggs, live shiners and single egg patterns were effective. Steelhead went for spoons and egg sacs off the mouth of Trout Run. Temperatures
in the high 30s and an increasing chance of snow showers were expected through Sunday.
In New York, flow was heavy on the Salmon River and chinook, coho, steelhead and brown trout repositioned to slower, shallower water near the banks. The Oswego was dropping and growing clearer.
Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County) Favorable holiday weather attracted anglers, but few reports were submitted. On the Ohio side, off Pymatuning State Park Campground, two fishermen from New Castle filled a bucket with crappies and bluegill taken on tipped jigs under bobbers.
Justus Lake (Venango County) Two rainbow trout in the 18-inch range went for
red and black jigs at the deep end.
Allegheny River (Venango County) Smallmouth bass went for soft plastic
lures in shallow riffles.
Lake Arthur ( Butler County) In December, an 18inch largemouth was caught from shore on a traditional red and white Dardevle spoon. The fish was released.
Raccoon Lake (Beaver County) On the first day of the new year, Mallory Marshall, 16, of Monroeville caught her first fish. Casting live bait under a bobber from the bank near the boat launch, while fishing with her grandfather and sister, Mallory landed two rainbow trout, 14 and 16 inches.
North Park Lake (Allegheny County) Generally good fishing was reported over the holiday weekend.
Twin Lakes (Westmoreland
County) A 16-inch bullhead catfish was taken from the lower lake by Joshua Reynolds of Greensburg Dec. 27.
Fly anglers can make a new year’s conservation offering by supporting the annual Penn’s Woods West Trout Unlimited Joe Kline Great Fly Sale. Dozens of dry, wet and streamer patterns tied and donated by members will be available at $5 per half-dozen at the next group meeting Monday at Christ Church at Grove Farm, 246 Duff Road, Sewickley. Proceeds support the nonprofit group. Get details about the group at pwwtu.org.