FISHING REPORT
Lake Erie and tributaries (Erie County): Steelhead staged at creek mouths early this year, but the heavy flow they need to push upstream hasn’t arrived. Sunday’s eastside rain moved fish a short way up Sixteen and Twentymile Creeks. West of the peninsula, chromers took egg patterns on Elk Creek as far south as Girard, but most were stuck at stream mouths. High pressure and clear water spooked them — light lines are required.
Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County): A black crappie exceeding 17 inches, 3 pounds was caught.
Allegheny River (Mercer, Venango counties): Smallmouths in the 15-19-inch range were taken on crankbaits and soft plastics throughout most of the Middle Allegheny.. Lake Arthur (Butler County): Catfish were caught using worm harnesses and stink baits.
Buffalo Creek (Butler, Armstrong counties): Big hatchery breeders were expected to be stocked in the Keystone Select waters of the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section Oct. 20.
Glendale Lake (Cambria County): Hand-size crappies went for tipped jigs. Duman Lake (Cambria County): Largemouth bass took top-water baits in shallow water.
Raccoon Lake (Beaver County): Rainbow trout were expected to be stocked by Fish and Boat Oct. 19.
Deer Creek Lakes (Allegheny County): Upper, Middle and Lower lakes were scheduled for a state stocking of rainbow trout Oct. 19.
Ohio River (Allegheny County): A 42.3-pound flathead took cut bait and was boated Wednesday by Joe Granada of Monaca, placing him at the top of Reddi Bait and Tackle’s statewide Big Fish Fight Club tournament.
Monongahela River (Allegheny): Shore anglers continued to catch flatheads above the Elizabeth Bridge.
Deer Creek (Allegheny County): The 2-mile Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only stretch was due for a state stocking of rainbow trout Oct. 19.
Pine Creek (Allegheny County): Fish and Boat was expected to stock rainbow trout in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area Oct. 19. Loyalhanna Lake (Westmoreland County): Crappies were taken by kayak anglers at dawn and dusk. Conemaugh River Lake
(Westmoreland County): Perch anglers reported good catches just below the outflow, but needed “deep sea weights” to hold baits in place.
Donegal Lake (Westmoreland County): Rainbow trout were to be stocked Oct. 20.
Twin Lakes (Westmoreland County): Fish and Boat planned to stock rainbow trout in the upper and lower lakes Oct. 20.
Keystone Lake (Westmoreland County): At daylight and sunset, boaters found crappies holding over structure. A state trout stocking of rainbows was scheduled for Oct. 19. Northmoreland Lake
(Westmoreland County): Fish and Boat was expected to stock trout Oct. 19.
Mammoth Lake (Westmoreland County): The state planned to stock rainbows Oct. 19.
Cross Creek Lake (Washington County): Good-size crappies were caught while drifting tipped jigs under bobbers. Quemahoning Reservoir
(Somerset County): Good bass fishing was reported.
High Point Lake (Somerset County): Chain pickerel and panfish were caught. Youghiogheny River
(Somerset, Fayette counties): Following a Fish and Boat stocking of rainbow trout in September, good catches were reported by anglers drifting crawlers or pitching spinners and flies.