Trout caught and released on special regulation waters
New “no wake” zones established on parts of Lake Arthur in Butler County were expected to protect the shorelines of several narrow inlets while permitting motor boat passage at lower speeds.
Boats traveling the 3,225acre centerpiece of Moraine State Park are limited to 20 horsepower, in part to reduce shoreline damage and protect non-motorized vessels. Motor boat propellers cause wakes that can endanger the young of shoreline-nesting waterfowl. The wakes cause erosion, and dirt and sand washed from shorelines contribute to the lake’s siltation.
Thursday, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources established a 145-acre no-wake zone near McDanels Boat Launch on the lake’s northwest corner. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations already protect small inlets by prohibiting wakes within 100 feet of shorelines.
“We know that much of the lake shoreline is prone to erosion, which then causes siltation into the lake,” said Dustin Drew, Moraine State Park manager. “This particular area is even more prone to siltation because of the soils present. Establishing a no-wake zone for motorized boats in this area is another tool we can use to help prevent further erosion from wave activity.”
Restrictions barring all motorized boats provide similar resource protection on other parts of Lake Arthur. Drew said the nowake zone will allow motorized boats to continue using the McDanels launch area while traveling at lower speeds. Drew noted that damaging waves can be generated by boat engines that meet requirements of the 20horsepower motor limit.
Signage at boat launches and marker buoys will be placed to delineate the “no wake” areas. The lake map on the park website is to be updated in coming weeks. For more information, call 724-368-8811 or email morainesp@pa.gov.
The list below includes waters that are open to limited fishing on the day stocked.
Lake Erie and tributaries ( Erie County) Creek waters were stained and dropping, but this late in the season good steelheading was reported at the mouths of Elk and other large streams. The hot baits were crawlers, egg sacs and live minnows. In the bay, abundant yellow perch were caught on tipped
jigs near the city-side docks.
Chilly weather was expected through the weekend with snow and rain showers Friday and Saturday. Expect rising streams.
Pymatuning Reservoir
(Crawford County) Walleye took crawler harnesses and perch were caught on live minnows under floats.
Shenango River Lake (Mercer County) Smallish
crappies were caught from shore using live minnows.
Lake Arthur ( Butler County) Crappies moved to deeper waters as the temperature dropped.
Deer Lakes (Allegheny County) The Lower and Middle lakes are scheduled to get rainbow trout April 4. On the same day, the Upper impoundment gets rainbows and golden rainbows.
Pine Creek (Allegheny County) Browns, rainbows and golden rainbows were expected to be stocked in the Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only stretch at 12:30 p.m. Friday.
Deer Creek (Allegheny County) The Delayed Harvest, Artificial Lures Only section was scheduled for a stocking of brown and rainbow trout Friday. The truck meets in Emmerling Community Park at Eisele and Cove Run roads in Cheswick at 12:30 p.m.
Keystone Lake (Westmoreland County) A second batch of rainbows and golden rainbows was expected to be stocked Friday. The truck meets volunteers at 11 a.m. at the park office. Managed for Stocked Trout Waters Open for YearRound Fishing regulations.