February 17th, 2010 West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton Conditions: Ice fishing is the hot story around the area with Presque Isle Bay drawing large numbers of local and out of town hard water anglers alike. Continued frigid temperatures have sustained solid ice, although even as thick as the ice is, there have still been a few mishaps. One angler fell through a soft spot this past weekend. Fortunately, with the local Sherfiffs Department Scuba Team was near by conducting practice rescues and was there to help. Case in point, there is always an element of risk associated with ice fishing. Anglers have been doing well with pan fish and especially with the most sought after Lake Erie Perch. Limits of perch have been rare, although numbers taken have been sufficient enough to keep anglers coming back for more. The best strikes have been off the bottom through out the Bay. Angers have been targeting the frozen tribs for steelhead, especially near the mouths, and doing fair to good. The Lake Shores at Trout and Godfrey Runs have been giving up steelhead as well. Lake Erie is now frozen over for the first time in nearly a decade helping to spare the area from the unpredictable lake effect snow storms. Fly Fishing Workshop: Folly's End Fly Shop and the Erie Casting Club will be holding a steelhead workshop on March 6th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Presque Isle Quality Inn, 6467 Sterrettania Road. Registration is $15.00 with the class being limited to 40 students.For reservations and more information call (814) 474-5730 Ice Fishing Equipment Reminder: It is unlawful while ice fishing to use more than five fishing devices, which may consist of rods, hand lines, tip-ups, or any combination. Each device shall contain a single fishing line with no more than three hooks attached to each line. Holes cut in ice may not exceed 10 inches between the farthest points as measured in any direction. All lines, rods, or tip-ups shall be under the immediate control of the person using them. On Fish & Boat Commission lakes, shelters, or shanties must be removed when through fishing for the day. SONS of Lake Erie Ice Out Party: The S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie’s annual "Ice Out Party will be held on Sunday, March 28th, 2010 at the Cauley Memorial Auditorium, 215 East 4th Street, Erie, PA from 1P.M. until 5:30 P.M. For more information on this great family event call (814) 453-2270 or email sonslakeri@aol.com PFBC Basic Boating Class: Area officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, will be conducting Basic Boating classes in March. These comprehensive, 8 hour classes are designed for the novice boater or boater to be, as well as the experienced boater who would like to refresh his knowledge and is especially recommended for the new boater and their families. The class covers basic boating safety, boating laws and regulations, and equipment. Successful completion of the course qualifies the individual for a Pennsylvania Boating Safety Certificate (card). There is no charge for the course or materials, although registration is required. Upon successful completion of the course , the Agency will require a processing fee for your Basic Boating Safety Card if one is desired. The first class will be held on March 10th and 11th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM each evening at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center , Room 112. For more information and registration contact Chad Foster at chfoster@state.pa.us or 814-683-5126. The second class will be held on March 27th from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Dan Cliff Hose Co., 4th and High Street, Waterford, PA. For more information and registration for this class contact WCO Jim Smolko at jsmolko@state.pa.us or leave a message at 814-572-0078. For additional boating classes around the area go to Boating Courses Who Needs a Boating Safety Certificate: Boating Safety Certificates (Actually a plastic card) are required for anyone operating a personal wate rcraft (jet ski) and anyone born on or after January 1st 1982 operating a boat powered by motors greater than 25 Horsepower. Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo: The 26th annual Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo will be held March 5th through March 7th at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center along the Erie bay front just west of Dobbins landing. Hours are Noon to 8:00 PM on Friday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday. With 25 years under its belt, this expo has developed into the definitive cabin fever event for area hunters and anglers. The expo is a fabulous mix of the latest in hunting and fishing information and gear blended with exhibits by local clubs, bait shops and sport and travel stores and outfitters from around the globe. Great buys, informative demonstrations, and noted guest speaker clinics round out the expo. Area PFBC officers and representatives from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as always, will be on hand through out the weekend to answer questions and listen to your comments. Tickets are 7.00 each and parking is free. See you there..... For more information go to Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo Elk Valley Sportsmen Reverse Raffle..Still Tickets Left Learn How to Ice Fish: Local Weather: Wednesday Night...Snow showers likely. Additional snow accumulation around an inch. Lows in the lower 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent. Thursday...Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow showers. Highs in the lower 30s. West winds around 15 mph. Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Lows in the lower 20s. West winds around 15 mph. Friday...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Highs around 30. Friday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows around 20. Saturday...Mostly cloudy. Highs around 30. Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows around 20. Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 30s. Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s. Monday...Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 20s. Monday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow showers. Lows around 20. Tuesday...Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow showers. Highs in the upper 20s.
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