DISTRICT

Lake Erie: Darl Black of Cochranton released a smallmouth in excess of 5 pounds on a cast to a rock pile in Presque Isle Bay, and a 6 1/4 pounder in the main lake last week. Anglers were catching nice perch off the north pier. Crappies were hitting in the bay, and northern pike and largemouth bass were active in the lagoons. Duane Doroba of Erie released a 35-inch pike on a shallow-running Rapala in Horseshoe Pond earlier this week.

Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County): The good crappie bite slowed some early this week when the cold front moved through. Anglers were catching nice numbers of crappies up to 13 inches Saturday and Sunday evenings around Sheakleyville Bridge, Launch No. 3 and in the bay nearest to the dam.

Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County): Numbers of nice walleyes were hitting at night in what is traditionally a good springtime walleye fishery. Nick Plescia of Jamestown released a 40-pound, 49-inch muskie April 17, and Eric Vestorsky of Jamestown released a 38-inch muskie April 21.

Oil Creek, Sugar Creek (Crawford, Venango counties): Grannoms were hatching in excellent conditions and trout were rising. Angling pressure has been surprisingly low.

Lake Arthur (Butler County): Crappies have been hitting in fairly good numbers in 4 to 6 feet. One angler released two hybrid striped bass up to 8 pounds in deeper water. Anglers are releasing numbers of largemouth bass and channel catfish.

Little Connoquenessing Creek (Butler County): Luke Barnhart, 10, of Prospect landed a 27-inch golden rainbow, and Chad Hurtak of Butler a 5-pound, 4-ounce, 23-inch golden rainbow Wednesday.

Allegheny River: The water was on fire with crappies from the Highland Park Dam to Pine Creek midweek. Nice smallmouths, saugers, walleyes and white bass were being released.

Ohio River: Dan Crane of McKees Rocks released several walleyes and smallmouths, a sauger, a spotted bass and a catfish on a jig head and grubs and minnows last weekend. The mouth of Big Sewickley Creek is yielding walleyes, saugers and smallmouth bass.

Monongahela River: Mark Feldman of Feldman's Guide Service caught a 40-inch northern pike trolling a Rapala Tail Dancer near Greensboro. Ken Bradley of Greenfield caught a 38-inch flathead catfish on a shiner off the wall Tuesday night at Duck Hollow under the Homestead Grays Bridge. Anglers also are releasing saugers, walleyes and smallmouth bass around Lock 4 in Charleroi and other spots.

Montour Run (Allegheny County): Ryan Eckenrode of Coraopolis caught a 27 1/2-inch, 9-pound 13-ounce rainbow trout with 17 1/2-inch girth on a maggot during the Forest Grove Sportsman's Association's annual derby Saturday. James Swearingson of McKees Rocks landed a 19 1/2-inch, 3 1/2-pound brown trout with 12-inch girth on an egg sack Monday. Several anglers reported good catches Wednesday.

North Park Lake (Allegheny County): Good trout fishing was reported last week.

Turtle Creek (Allegheny County): Anglers were still doing well on this urban stocked trout stream earlier this week.

Peters Creek (Allegheny County): Mark Vasinko of Greensburg released six trout around 13 inches in perfect conditions Wednesday after a recent club stocking.

Canonsburg Reservoir (Washington County): Branden Rohall leads the April trout contest sponsored by Shad Lure Bait and Tackle of Elizabeth with a 5 1/2-pound rainbow trout landed April 13.

Virgin Run Dam (Fayette County): Craig Nemchik of White Oak caught 62 brown and rainbow trout, including fish of 23 and 26 inches, Saturday on gray and white Mini Foo jigs tipped with maggots.

Youghiogheny River, Meadow Run (Fayette County): The tailrace of the river, the river at Ohiopyle, and the tributaries are fishing well in good conditions. Blue Quills, Quill Gordons, small Blue-Winged Olives, and midges are hatching on the run. Hendricksons are expected soon.

Youghiogheny Reservoir (Fayette County): Northern pike, walleyes and some smallmouth bass are being released. Anglers are catching panfish. Most catches are in shallow water.

Upper and Lower Twin lakes (Westmoreland County): Twin Lakes Fishing Association was scheduled to stock both lakes yesterday evening for a tournament Sunday. Both lakes have received state in-season stockings.

High Point Reservoir (Somerset County): Sublegal northern pike, an occasional walleye and some panfish are reported, mostly in shallow water.

Jones Mill Run/Laurel Hill Creek (Somerset County): Both were stocked this week and are fishing well in good conditions. Laurel Hill will be stocked again today.

Canoe Creek Lake (Blair County): A trout angler released a 50 1/2-inch, 44 1/4-pound muskie on a trout he was attempting to land.

Penn's Creek, Fishing Creek, Little Juniata River, Spruce Creek, North Bald Eagle Creek (Central Pennsylvania): Grannoms are reported on all five fisheries. Good conditions are reported but rain was in yesterday's forecast.

Spring Creek (Centre County): The Blue-Winged Olive hatch is winding down. Look for caddis and crane flies before long. Nymph fishing is the best bet.

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