Page 4 - Fishing Report | 08-31-16

Marilyn Black (Cochranton); filed 8-27: Darl and I fished Conneaut
Lake several times during August. Earlier in the month we were
catching decent-size bluegills on the weedlines, plus a good number
of crappies. The average size of crappies was 9 to 11 inches, but we
also caught some in the 12 to 13 inch range. However, on our most
recent outing on Saturday, the size of crappies dropped to 7 to 9
inches. Darl feels that all the weed cutting in preparation for Labor
Day may have displaced the bigger crappies. With weed cutter oper-
ations done for the season, larger crappies will make themselves
known again. By the way, Bobby Garland Baby Shads and Charlie
Brewer Crappie Slider Grubs caught all the crappies on August outings. (See photo above)

Bryan Stuyvesant (Meadville); filed 8-25: I fished with Darl Black
this past week to demonstrate how I use my digital and traditional
sonar in combination to locate deepwater summer smallmouths.
Darl is working on an article for the 2017 In-Fisherman Bass Guide.
Planning our outing between early morning and late evening thun-
derstorms, the smallies were feeding deep and the action was
splendid. Our two largest smallmouths – one taken on drop-shot
and one on deepwater flick-shake presentation – may be viewed in
the Livewell. (See photo of smallest smallmouth at left; photo of
bigger smallmouths in Livewell)

ERIE COUNTY

Lake Erie
Mike @ Lake Erie Bait & Tackle; filed 8-29: Nothing is happening in
the Bay – water is too warm. The bite is out in the lake. The perch bite
is picking up. Best depth is 50 to 55 feet off the Point and off Walnut.
Walleyes are out in 50 to 70 feet. This is the best perch and walleye
bite we have had all summer!

Rich @ Erie Sports Store; filed 8-29: I caught this catfish while perch
fishing a couple weeks ago. The catfish weighed over 20 pounds.
Perch bite has just picked up again. The best fishing in PA waters
seems to be between Walnut Creek and Elk Creek in 52 feet of water.
The biggest issue is getting good bait. We haven’t found live emerald
shiners in almost two weeks. Guys have been using golden shiners,
and salted or frozen emeralds with some success. Perch fishing this

20-pound plus Erie cat