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June 6th, 2007 West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, WCO Brook Tolbert Conditions
Walleye and Perch fishing continue to improve with more fish being brought in although the heavy schools have not formed. Anglers have still been a bit cautious on investing the fuel to search for fish and seem to be waiting for better reports. Migrant walleye have slowly begun to move into our waters and action is picking up somewhat but things are still a bit slow with water temperatures still pretty cold. Walleye angling during the evening hours have been productive in shallow water, 25 to 35' along the lake shore with many boats taking to the Lake at dusk. Worm harnesses in purple, chartreuse and watermelon, Stinger spoons, Reef Runners, Thundersticks and other crank and stick baits are most popular. Planer boards have been helpful, conditions permitting. Frequent bait changes may be necessary to find the right presentation. Perch are still somewhat scattered, although there is some schooling off the Point at Presque Isle. Bass action has been pretty consistent throughout the Presque Isle Bay and along the shoreline. Good Perch catches were reported off and around the East Avenue Launch ramps this past weekend with a fair number of jumbos landed. Current Lake Erie water temperatures off Toledo are 66 degrees, off Cleveland 54 degrees, and off the Port of Erie, 57 degrees. Pennsylvania / Ohio Line:
Pennsylvania has no reciprocal laws with Ohio on Lake Erie regarding regulations and a resident license is required for the state's waters that you are fishing. If on the Pennsylvania side of the line you must have a valid Pennsylvania license and all PA regulations apply. If on the Ohio side of the line, you must have and Ohio license and Ohio regulations will apply. If fishing along or near the state line (GPS 80 degrees, 31.1 minutes West) be sure you have the proper license and know the regulations for the waters you are on. For example, if you are from Ohio and have drifted well over the PA line, you must have a PA license, and all PA regulations will apply. If one were to catch their limit of Perch in Ohio with an Ohio License (30 fish) and then move over the line to PA. and catch additional Perch in PA. with a PA license, the angler would be considered over his limit for PA. Remember, Pa regulations state catch, kill, or possess. Law Enforcement:
Officers have found a number of early season safety violations on the water. Lack of, or non serviceable PFDs have been a common problem along with discharged fire extinguishers. Check your equipment carefully. Just because your gear was in great shape last year doesn't mean it is safe or serviceable this season. Fire extinguishers can leak pressure and PFDs put away wet can become mildewed and unserviceable. Winter critters love the stuffing as well and many a PFD has been shredded nesting animals along with chewed wiring that can cause short circuits in the electrical system. Compressed air horns can leak and visual distress signals (flares) have expiration dates on them. Trailer lights put away full of water will unlikely work the following season. Be sure all required navigational lights are working and displayed between sunset and sunrise. Sunset and sunrise times can be found in the PFBC Boaters Handbook available at any boating store, most bait and tackle shops as well as on the PFBC website. A quick double check of on board safety gear may save the lives of you and your passengers. Trailering: Spending a considerable amount of time at the busy Walnut Creek launch ramps, one can not help but to be amused by the number of boaters that clearly have not taken the time to learn how to back up a trailer. Aside from the visual amusement to some, others that are using the ramps often find these scenarios annoying if not down right discourteous. If you are new to trailering your boat, take the time in a vacant lot to practice backing up to where you are comfortable with the procedure. Remember that the trailer goes the opposite way you turn the steering wheel and going slow makes controlling the trailer easier. Some people are very proficient at backing up using only their rear view mirrors and others have to look out the window or have someone assist them. Whatever the case, a little practice can save a lot of grief and will help keep traffic flowing smoothly at the launch ramps. Regular Bass Season on Lake Erie Opens June 16th:
Regular Bass season on Lake Erie, it's tributaries, and Presque Isle Bay, opens Saturday June 16th. Limits for Lake Erie and it's tributaries are 4 fish (combined species small and large mouth) with a 15" minimum length. For inland waters other than Lake Erie, the limit is 6 fish with a 12" minimum length starting June 16th as well. Local Weather: Wednesday Night Partly cloudy in the evening...Then becoming mostly cloudy. Not as cool with lows in the mid 50s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph...Becoming southeast after midnight. Thursday Mostly cloudy. Much warmer with highs in the mid 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Thursday Night Partly cloudy in the evening...Then becoming mostly cloudy. Warmer. More humid with lows in the upper 60s. South winds 10 to 20 mph. Friday Mostly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Highs around 80. Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Friday Night Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening...Then partly cloudy after midnight. Cooler with lows in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 40 percent. Saturday Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Saturday Night Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s. Sunday Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Sunday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s. Monday Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s. Monday Night Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. Tuesday Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s
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