ERIE, Pa. (AP) — Steelhead fishing around the tributaries of Lake Erie can be incredible. The key is knowing what works and doesn’t for these unique fish in Pennsylvania.
NW Pa. fishing report, April 16-18: Chase big perch in Lake Erie, smallmouth bass in bay Darl and Marilyn Black
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Exciting news from this past week is a possible new state-record yellow perch from Lake Erie. Kirk Rudzinski, owner of East End Angler, was fishing in 44 feet of water off the Cribs when the monster perch grabbed his bait. The fish was weighed on certified digital scales and officially identified by the local WCO; the notarized application and statements will be mailed to Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to await review.
And speaking of perch, multiple sources have big perch in 40 and 55 feet of water east of the peninsula. The fish are in small packs, and are moving about quite a bit rather than staying in one location; many females are still carrying eggs, while others appear spawned out. A rather high number of incidental walleyes are being caught by perch anglers in the lake as well. The few perch caught in Presque Isle
Northwestern Pennsylvania weekend fishing report, April 2-4 Darl and Marilyn Black UP NEXT
Unpredictable weather patterns are par for the course this time of year in northwestern Pennsylvania. Depending on severity of the weather and species being sought, anglers might adapt to make a catch. Other times, the best bet is to stay home for a day or two to wait on a warm-up.
The roller-coaster weather this past week threw a wrench into anglers’ pan-fishing hopes. However, with Statewide Trout Season opening on Saturday, anglers are almost guaranteed to catch something.
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission has been busy since mid-February stocking selected area streams and a few lakes with rainbow, brown and brook trout. Recently stocked young trout are hungry critters that will eat a wide variety of live baits, prepared baits and small artificial baits. To verify which waters have been stocked in 2021, go to fishandboat.com and click on Trout Stocking to fi