Page 8 - Fishing Report | 11-22-17

 Erie Tributary Streams for Steelhead. By the majority of reports this has been a banner
year for steelhead. With period injections of rain, fresh fish continue to move into
streams. With a little rain and snow expected for Wednesday, streams should be in good
shape for fishing from Thursday through Sunday. Better a little low and clear than com-
pletely blown out.
 Pymatuning Lake for Walleye. While some anglers are skeptical of the strong walleye
population in the lake as reported by Fish Commission netting, there are other anglers

who are putting in time and catching walleyes. Certainly not as easy as years in the past,
but the blade bait bite is happening right now – especially in the South End. Heddon So-
nars, Vib-E, Cicada, Steel Shad and others. You can wear yourself out if trying to fish all
day. Instead, wait until late afternoon and fish the dusk to dark bite –
appears to be the best time for active ‘eyes.
 Shenango Lake for Walleye, White Bass and Crappies. The info from

contacts on Shenango continue to report strong fall bite for all these
species – seemingly better all-around success for multiple species than
at Pymatuning this year. Go deep with a blade bait for the bigger game-
fish, but use jig-n-minnow for crappies.
 Allegheny River for Walleye and Smallmouth Bass. When not blown
out, the Allegheny continues to offer consistent success for anglers pur-
suing walleyes and smallmouth bass in the fall. This weekend may be the last of the
strong smallie bite as water temperature drops to 40 degrees, but the walleye bite will

continue until river ices up.

Fishing With Darl Black Guide Service

My 2017 guide year has come to a close. Springtime crappie fishing at
Pymatuning (along with walleye fishing) was less than spectacular –
blamed on unseasonal weather March through May. The crappie bite im-
proved in June during the post-spawn. Bluegill and pumpkinseed fishing
at Conneaut Lake from late July through September was spectacular, alt-
hough crappies were missing in action. Back on Pymatuning for crappies
saw a consistent bite from October through early November with the larg-

est crappies of the year.
For 2018, my crappie guide season at Pymie will start the last
weekend in April and continue through mid-July, returning to
Pymie in October. From mid-July to mid-September my focus
will be Conneaut Lake for bluegills, pumpkinseeds and crap-
pies. If you want bluegills, Conneaut is the lake and late sum-
mer is the time for a trip.

Another great year thanks to B-n-M Poles; Gamma Line; Road
Runner Lures; Driftmaster Rod Holders; Bobby Garland Crap-
pie Baits; Wiegel Brothers Marine and Garmin.