Page 7 - Fishing Report | 9-27-17

Shenango Lake and Shenango River
Editor’s note: Shenango Lake Manger John Kolodziejski informed me today that the PA Fish
Commission has agreed to move the fall allocation of trout originally scheduled for stocking be-
low the Shenango Dam to the Shenango River upstream of Shenango Lake. The specific area to
be stocked will be from New Hamburg to the point upstream of Big Bend. This will be done on

Monday, October 2. (As announced in this publication last issue, the Fish Commission ceased
stocking the river immediately below the Shenango Dam due to PCBs found in river fish. How-
ever, Shenango Lake fish have been found to be free of PCBs.)

Rick Como (Sharpsville); filed 9-24: With the lake level dropping, the fishing is getting very
good. Shad are being forced into the main lake due to lower water, and gamefish are feeding
heavily on them. Topwater action is the norm; the action may last for long periods of time. Lots
of big heavy white bass and small stripers are feeding together so care must be taken to release

the undersize hybrid stripers. Many hybrids are in the 15 to 19 inch range – so we will have
great hybrid fishing for the next few years. Shad imitation crankbaits either trolled or cast are
working right now. Lots of smallmouth and largemouth bass are hitting too, along with catfish.
Crappies are starting to feed and are scattered out in the main lake in large schools. Walleyes
are spotty but the bite should get better as cold weather settles in. Looks like it will be getting
colder by week’s end. The best fishing of the season is soon to be upon us. Time to get out and
fish! (See photos on Shenango Special page)

Randy Hedderick @ Fish West Pa; filed 9-21: As summer winds down and
fall begins, the fishing at Shenango is picking up. We’ve been catching
multiple species while fishing for hybrid stripers. What do you like? She-
nango has it! (See photos on Shenango Special page)

Ken Smith (Sharon); filed 9-25: I went to Shenango for crappies on Wednesday and Friday of
this past week. The size is getting better as season continues. Lots of 10-inch blacks and 12-inch

whites were caught on Wednesday using Pour House Nervous Wreck Baits. We jigged over
brush in 9 feet of water. Friday was a little different. The fish were suspended over the brush,
only five feet down in 12 feet of water. We were fishing under them for an hour before we fig-
ured it out. When we raised the baits higher, we started catching crappies by hang gliding.
Dropped a buoy and started casting Bobby Garland Baby Shads to them. We kept 20 fish each
day with most being 11 inches or better. The whites were long and the blacks were thick.

VENANGO COUNTY

Bill @ Griffin’s Bait & Tackle Shop; filed 9-25: Eryka Slomer caught her first
bluegill this week. She did everything from casting, hook setting and landing
the fish – except she had help from her father Nick in removing the fish from
the hook. See photo. Eryka’s 1st bluegill