December 16th issue NW PA Fishing Report

Open water fishing opportunities are about to disappear quickly given the weather forecast for coming ten days. Likely by Christmas, only the Allegheny River, French Creek, Shenango River, inland trout streams and Lake Erie tributaries will have open water. (Lake Eire, too, but no one will be going out.) It is possible anglers will be...

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Nov 18th NW PA Fishing Report

With recent cold snap, water temperatures in NW PA have finally dropped into the upper 40s. Fishing for certain species will pick up for several weeks (until temp hits about 40) if you take the cold. Jigging style presentations for smallmouth bass, crappies, yellow perch, and walleyes in lakes and rivers, as well as lake...

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October 14 NW PA Fishing Report

The anticipated fall bite in NW PA took a nose-dive on many inland waters as the calendar turned a page to October. Lakes, streams and rivers were too low; sudden drop in water temperature due to early severe cold snap; full moon; overharvest – pick your excuse or create a new one. It’s been tough...

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Sept 22 NW PA Fishing Report

The official arrival of fall in NW Pennsylvania actually coincides nicely with initial cooling of area waters. The cooling temperatures launches improved fish feeding activity for most species. As the water temperature drops out of the 70s and falls through the 60s and 50s to the mid-40s over the 2-1/2 months, some of the best...

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August 17 issue of NW PA Fishing Report

It’s been a hot, dry summer in NW PA. The bite during the latter part of summer has been tough for most anglers, although there have been some shining moments. Lake Erie offshore fishing for walleye has been a banner year; many charter boats were filling boat limits in just a couple hours. The smallmouth...

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July 15, 2002 NW PA Fishing Report

Summer fishing is in full swing. Summer means a shift to deeper water for some species. A little more work may be required to locate and entice fish to bite. But there is still plenty of opportunities in NW Pennsylvania during the summer, including offshore trolling on Lake Erie for walleyes, river and stream fishing...

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June 22, 2002 NW PA Fishing Report

Summer has arrived, and with it more heat. However, there is still some good shallow water action on inland lakes for perhaps another week or so. Also, scattered walleye schools are recovering from the big blow on Erie this past weekend, and anglers should locate them quickly. Still, lots of catching coming up for summer...

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June 8, 2002 NW PA Fishing Report

Weather this week in NW PA is most pleasant – not too hot, not too cold, not too windy. And many desired species are still in shallow water on inland lakes. It’s the perfect time to go fishing! On Lake Erie, local ‘eyes are moving to deeper water; western basin fish have not yet arrived....

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May 25 issue of NW PA Fishing Report

I’ve cannot recall the day-to-day temperature change as dramatically during May. No spring showers. Instead, intense rain and wind storms Water temperature in lakes and rivers have been on yo-yo string. Much disruption for bedding bass; hopefully all is not lost. Although it looks like warm temperatures for the Memorial Day weekend, the risks of...

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May 11 issue of NW PA Fishing Report

Fishing for the widest variety of fish in relatively shallow water doesn’t get any better in northwest Pennsylvania than the month of May. Currently there is action aplenty on smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, crappies, yellow perch, stream trout, inland walleye, Erie shoreline walleye and white bass. Any day, hybrid stripers will kick...

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