Page 9 - Fishing Report | 4-10-19

Brian Ensign – Area 2

Lake Wilhelm: Our 2018 walleye survey netted 206 walleyes from 12 to 30 inches; 86%
of the walleye were over 15 inches. We netted 4 muskies from 21 to 43 inches. The
most abundant panfish were black crappies,
white crappies and bluegill. During the bass
survey later in the spring, we shocked 240

bass from 4 to 22 inches. That was a rate of
64 bass per hour, which was about our histor-
ic mean for this lake; but the number greater
than 15 inches was lower. Therefore, we start-
ed stocking fingerling bass to make up for
poor recruitment and to increase predator
mouths to feed on gizzard shad.

Lake Pleasant: There are excellent fishing opportunities for several species in this small
lake. It is perhaps best known as a trout lake. It is stocked with trout pre-season, in-
season and a winter stocking. The lake is deep, clear and cold – creating good trout fish-
ing well into June. But the lake also has nice populations of black crappies (76% greater
than 9 inches), bluegills (96% over 7 inches) pumpkinseeds and perch. During our most
recent bass survey, we caught 128 largemouth from 6 to 21 inches; that was 38 bass per
hour compared to 8 bass per hour in the 1996 survey. Impressive increase. Good shore-

line access along the road side; non-powered boats only.

Allegheny River: We conduct surveys for smallmouth bass and walleye on the river. In
2018 the walleye had a really good spawn with record numbers of YOY. Also, really good
numbers for adult smallmouth bass in our bass survey. All survey sites were above his-
toric norms for smallmouth bass – close to a record. Best sections were President, Ken-
nerdell and East Brady.

More information on these waters and many more in NW PA can be found on the Fish
Commission website under AFM reports.