FISHING REPORT
Lake Erie and tributaries
(Erie County): With the exception of several low-flow days, 2021’s first month of tributary steelhead fishing was outstanding, bringing in more and bigger fish than usual. Hookups occurred from the mouths to the headwaters of Elk Creek, the region’s longest stream. Creeks this week were clear and shallow, particularly east of the peninsula. Sight fishing was less productive, but steelhead were taken on single eggs and egg patterns drifted under overhangs, and on eggs or live minnows fished under white water and near the bottom of the deepest pools. Night anglers did well at the Walnut Creek Access area, and skein and spoons were effective off Trout Run. A low chance of rain was predicted until Sunday, when light showers are expected.
In Presque Isle Bay, water temperatures remained above average. Anglers reported spotty yellow perch action with dinner-size fillets and dinks at about 10 feet taken on live emerald shiners. Perch were caught from shore on the city side and park side. Northern pike aggressively chased spinners and spoons. Several days ago, Dan Morey of Erie landed three pike wading offshore. In late October, he caught and released a pike just under 40 inches, taken on a bucktail from a kayak. “Due to hunting and trout in the tribs, this is a very overlooked fall fishery in Erie,” Morey said. “Most days me and my buddy are the only ones pursuing them.”
In the lake, surface water dropped to 52-53 degrees and smallmouth bass and walleye were suspended at 25 feet. Lake trout were in shallower water off North East. On the lower Niagara River, about 6 miles above Lake Ontario near Artpark, N.Y., Don Ayers of Baden boated and released a lake trout estimated to be 25 pounds and 50 years old. The fish was caught on a green bead in 22 feet of water during a Paul Schirmer guide trip Nov. 11.
Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County): As bass fattened up for winter, cool water temperatures sparked aggressive feeding. One shore angler pitching crankbaits said he landed smallmouth bass as big as footballs, and in 45 minutes one evening he caught and released 20 white bass.
Oil Creek (Venango County): On a single day, one fly fisherman released 23 rainbow trout taken on an orange egg pattern in the lower Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area.
Glade Run Lake (Butler County): Rainbow trout were stocked by the state Fish and Boat Commission Nov. 2.
Bradys Run Lake (Beaver County): On Thursday, Fish and Boat arrived with its fall delivery of rainbow trout.
Ohio River (Allegheny County): Two shore fishermen released flathead catfish in the 25-inch range taken at night on scored bluegills and chubs off Brunot Island.
Monongahela River (Allegheny County): The tailwater pool from the Elizabeth Lock and Dam to the Route 51 bridge continued to produce. Shore anglers said they have been catching and releasing good-size flathead catfish at night since September.
Cross Creek Lake (Washington County): Anglers found larger crappies off points and structure piles.
Canonsburg Lake (Washington County): Trout took scented paste baits following an Oct. 25 stocking.
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