Flatheads, steelhead and muskellunge caught as fall trout stocking continues
Lake Erie tributaries (Erie County) Big fish were running on the tributaries. Steelhead measuring 13 pounds 2 ounces, 30 inches and 10 pounds, and 33½ inches and 15 pounds 11 ounces were confirmed by official measurement Tuesday. A freshwater hog stretching to 31½ inches and weighing 12 pounds 3 ounces was caught Saturday.
Low, clear water revealed silver bullets all over the lower beats of tributary waters from Raccoon Creek to Twelvemile Creek.
Anglers reported Wednesday that recent rains had opened creek mouths and provided enough flow to make most falls passable. Chromers were caught in headwaters. On Walnut Creek, hookups were reported near Erie Golf Course, and Elk was productive all the way to the McKean Exit on I-79.
Spoons, spinners, paste baits and egg sacs led to hookups at the creek mouths. Wooly buggers and single eggs were among the go- to flies. Rain was expected Friday and Saturday with clouds and a chance of showers Sunday.
Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County) In-Fisherman magazine’s Oct. 9 master angler David Marinkovic boated a monster muskellunge while trolling a handmade black and blue Leo-Lure.
Allegheny River (Venango, Armstrong counties) Eight smallmouths bass up to 20¼ inches were boated in six hours Sunday using soft plastic flukes from President Campground to Henry’s Bend. Good fishing was reported when smallmouths laid at the edges of weed masses near the island off the mouth of Bear Creek south of Parker.
Lake Arthur ( Butler County) Steven Oliver of Monroeville caught and released a 38- inch muskie while trolling in waters near the Route 422 bridge. Crappies took tipped jigs under floats set at about 10 feet, and a 16-inch bullhead catfish was caught near the Davis Hollow pontoon docks.
Ohio River ( Beaver County) After midnight along River Road near Conway, a fat flathead estimated at about 30 pounds broke a fishing net and tail smacked Billy Thomas of Wexford
into the dark water. The monster went for cut bait. “I never wanted a fish so much,” said Thomas, “but I let it go anyway.”
Allegheny River (Allegheny County) Tommy Lippert of Spring Garden pulled two channel cats, 20 and 20½ inches, and a carp- like smallmouth buffalo from the outflow below the Water Steps in the shadow of Acrisure Stadium. He was fishing Wednesday with Venture Outdoors’ Lunchtime Fishing program, which meets 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the Riverfront Trail. The free meet includes rods, tackle, bait and instruction. Adaptive gear is available on advanced request. Fishing license requirements are waived. Learn more at ventureoutdoors.org, 412-2550564. Deer Lakes, Deer Creek
(Allegheny County) The Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only stretch of Deer Creek and the three lakes were expected to get deliveries of rainbow trout Tuesday.
Pine Creek (Allegheny County) The state Fish and Boat Commission was scheduled to stock rainbow trout Tuesday in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section, from the abandoned railroad bridge near Bryant Drive to about 150 yards below the Mt. Royal Boulevard bridge.
Keystone, Northmoreland lakes (Westmoreland County) Rainbow trout were expected to be stocked Tuesday.
Loyalhanna Creek
(Westmoreland County) The state was scheduled to stock the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section Tuesday.
Canonsburg Lake
(Washington County) Venture Outdoors staff will put you on fish and show you how to catch them at the Canonsburg Lake Boat Ramp 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday. The free family-friendly program requires no fishing license and includes rods, tackle, bait, nets, and safety equipment. Get details at ventureoutdoors.org, 412255-0564.
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.