Erie Streams Stocked with Thousands of Steelhead Smolts

Recently, the PA Fish & Boat Commission released thousands of 6 to 8 inch steelhead smolts into local streams.  These steelhead hopefully will return from Lake Erie in a few years and venture up the same streams to spawn which will provide anglers the opportunity to catch big steelhead trout.

Today, while I checked out 4 mile creek, I saw a few kids fishing for trout.  They were hooking quite a few smolts and some unfortunately were released practically dead.  The kids really could not help it as there were literally hundreds of smolts in the bigger holes along with recently stocked brown trout.

I tried to film the smolts in 4 mile creek with my phone camcorder but the video does not show many smolts due to the glare of sunlight off of the water.  Believe me though, that black mass on the far side of the video is hundreds of small smolts.

The fishing in 4 Mile Creek is going to vastly improve over the next few years due to the  thousands of steelhead smolts being released.

Fishing Report -April 15 2014 - Presque Isle Bay (Erie Pennsylvania_

Large numbers of jumbo perch are being caught by boaters in the deeper areas of the bay.  The sizes are mixed with many fish over 12 inches.  Nice Crappie are also being caught along with good sized bluegills.  Gar pike are also being caught.  Steelhead are in the creeks in good numbers.  Shore fishing is beginning to pick up in the usual spots.  One thing to note that fishing off of the public dock thus far this year has been real slow.  Usually by this time, large jumbo perch can be caught off the public dock.  However, this year I have not seen any perch caught off of the dock.  South pier is still on the slower side but on certain days it has been fair.

Ice Out: Crappies Starting to Bite

Recently, I have been scouting around Presque Isle Bay in search of locating fish.  The ice is practically gone from the bay now and the fish should wake up from their cold water slumber and start biting again.  I have heard rumors of jumbo perch being caught but I have yet to see this.  Small crappies are biting and yesterday I only caught one.  There are some big steelhead in the creeks and I saw a nice 28 inch fish caught out of small Cascade Creek.  

This Sunday, April 13 is the annual SONS Ice Out Party.  If you have not attended an Ice Out Party, they are a ton of fun for the entire family.  Ten dollars per person will get you in and you do not have to be a member to attend.  Door prizes are given out throughout the day and most people do win something.  The best hot dogs in the world will be served, Smith hotdogs, along with beer, pop, and chips.  The money raised by SONS goes directly into helping with the Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay fishery.  Each year SONS raises and releases thousands of Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Steelhead into Lake Erie.  Without SONS, it is highly likely that the fishery would not even be close to what it is, so if you cannot attend the Ice Out Party, please join the club or give them a donation to help out ===>SONS of Lake Erie

Saturday is the first day of trout season and it looks like it is going to be great weather.  Fishing season is now upon us so get those fishing poles ready and head on out!  Good Luck!

Presque Isle Bay Ice Conditions Still Very Good

February 24, 2014 -  Presque Isle Bay is still covered with ice and ice fishing conditions are excellent.  Ice depths vary around the bay but most ice is very safe.  Today, there was very heavy fishing pressure in the Stinkhole and Misery Bay.  Stinkhole is producing beautiful Crappie while Misery Bay is producing a lot of Gills and mixed catches of perch and Crappie.

Fishing will be excellent throughout this week as temperatures will stay below freezing.  Ice fisherman are recommended to wear cleats as the snow has melted and the bay is pretty much an ice skating rink.

Good luck fishing and please be safe!  Always have the spikes around your neck just in case.

Presque Isle Bay Solid and Ready for Ice Fisherman

Cold weather has really improved the ice conditions over the past week.  Remember, ice is never really safe; however, most of Presque Isle Bay can now support ice fisherman.  Today, fisherman ventured into the deeper waters off of the foot of Chestnut Street.  Fisherman were also spread out and were fishing popular spots like Misery Bay which is usually really good fishing early season.

A good number of big lake perch are being caught in all areas with some steelhead also being caught.  The weather is looking to be cold the next few days so the ice should even improve.  Good luck fishing!