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West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton Conditions:
A slight warming trend this week has melted the snow and rough surface ice making the Bay and the tributary ice quite slippery. Area temperatures climbed to the low to mid thirties, however it looks like we will be back in the 20's which should keep area ice conditions stable. Ice thickness on Presque Isle Bay this past weekend varied from 10 to 12 inches. Any rise in temperature above freezing should signal caution to those walking the ice. Ice fishing has picked up in the area with catches and sizes increasing. Larger bluegills have been picked up along with a few bass in Misery Bay and Horse Shoe pond. The limit of large bluegills in this weeks pictures was caught on black micro jigs and a small chartreuse rubber ant. Anglers have begun to bring in some of the jumbo perch that were so plentiful last year. Perch have been picked up in the deeper water in Presque Isle Bay on shiners. The best area to target is the channel that runs the length of the bay from the Erie Yacht club east to the Erie channel. Anglers that boat the bay would be familiar with the channel location as it is marked when the bay is not frozen. Generally the channel depth will be 20 to 25 feet. Steelhead are being pulled from the Walnut Creek Channel near the entrance to the marina and at the "Mud Hole" at the mouth of Elk Creek. Shore ice along the lake is still unstable and made up of mostly drifting chunk ice. From WCO Tom Edwards, Learn How to Ice Fish:
The SON's of Lake Erie in cooperation with the PFBC and DCNR will be offering instruction and demonstration on ice fishing techniques on Sunday, February 22nd. Interested anglers and observers should meet at the Rotary Pavilion near the Waterworks pond on Presque Isle. The seminar will run from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Erie area offers some of the best ice fishing in the state and this is your chance to learn every thing you need to know from local experts. PFBC officers will be on hand to assist and answer questions regarding ice fishing regulations. Equipment will be provided for those in need. In conjunction with this seminar the U.S. Coast Guard, Erie Station, will be conducting ice rescue demonstrations near by at 1:30 PM. Cub Scout Pack 59 Takes Over Misery Bay:
Cub scout pack 59 from Our Lady of Peace Parish here in Erie invaded Misery Bay this past Sunday for a day of ice fishing. Twenty Five scouts along with many parents tried their hand at hard water fishing. Many of the boys had never ice fished and a number of them had never fished at all. Although the catches were sporatic, the boys had a great time with plenty of hot chocolate to keep them warm and a beautiful day to enjoy the ice. Cub Master Tim Harrington asked that a special thanks be given to Hansen's Bait stand on Presque Isle for donating all the bait and to Judge McLaughlin who donated a power auger to make the drilling easier. Stocking Reminder:
Lake Pleasant and the Upper Gravel Pit Pond are scheduled for stocking the week of February 9th. Local Weather:
Wednesday night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid teens. East winds 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow late in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 20s. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30 percent.
Thursday night
Cloudy with a chance of freezing rain or snow. Lows in the lower 20s. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
Friday
Cloudy with a chance of freezing rain or snow. Highs in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
Friday night
Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows in the lower 20s. Chance of snow 50 percent.
Saturday
Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs in the upper 20s. Chance of snow 40 percent.
Saturday night
Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows in the mid teens. Chance of snow 40 percent.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 20s.
Sunday night
Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower teens.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 20s.
Monday night
Cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows in the upper teens. Chance of snow 30 percent.
Tuesday
Cloudy with a chance of snow. Highs near 30. Chance of snow 50 percent.
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