Posts Tagged Tamarack Lake
Northwest Pennsylvania Fishing Report 8-8-11
Posted by Staff in Fishing Reports on August 9, 2011
News
August Dog Days? The so-called Dog Days of Summer can actually be rewarding from a fishing perspective if you choose your species and waterways carefully. Check out this week’s Report to see what is being caught and where. Don’t whine. Go Fish!
Crawford County Waters
Pymatuning Lake
Chris Hall (Espyville Outdoors): “Fishing along the Espyville causeway has been hot. Crappie and walleye are being caught underneath the PA bridge in the mornings and evenings with regularity. Most have been taken on jigheads with a white curly tail or split-tail grub; some success has been reported with minnows. Bluegills are being caught in select bays; taken on red worms or pieces of nightcrawlers.
“I had two gentlemen at the shop on Friday who said they caught over 300 carp at the Linesville Spillway…no pictures, but they were back to buy more Magic Bait and Van-Do Strawberry and Anise dough bait. Catfish are still being caught in decent numbers just about anywhere on the lake. Magic Bait Shrimp and Chicken Blood have been hot for channel cats. Actually Shrimp flavor is outselling all other flavors by a wide margin.”
Dave Richter (Richter’s General Store): “Walleye catches have been spotty – it’s August after all, a tough month in this shallow lake for walleye. Crappies are still biting in deep water in the southern portion of the lake closer to the dam. And I’ve had several customers tell me the largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing is darn good, too. One regular customer caught several smallmouths up to 3.5 pounds on crankbaits this week.”
Conneaut Lake
Steve Hughes (Clarion): “I fished the Conneaut Lake PA Bass Federation Tournament at on Sunday. Mark Hughes won it with 19.30 pounds of smallmouth off the humps, using tubes and drop-shot. I took 2nd with 17.94 pounds of largemouth by cranking a Bomber Fat Free Shad in Citrus Shad and flipping a Yum Wooly Bug in deep weeds.”
Darl Black (Cochranton): “The crappie fishing seems to have slowed somewhat at Conneaut, but the bluegill bite is very good – if you get out early. Marilyn and I found schools of decent size ‘gills around 14 to 17 feet off the weed flats and weed-capped humps where gravel or rock rubble bumped the deep weed line. I caught my ‘gills with a 1.5-inch Yum Wooly Beavertail on a 1/8-ounce Kalin Panfish Head. Marilyn caught twice as many on a generic split-tail grub tipped with a one-inch Berkley Gulp Alive! Leech fished on super fine 3-pound Power Pro Microline. Conneaut is somewhat off-color, so brighter, bolder colors seemed to work best for bluegills. In addition to the most ‘gills, Marilyn also wants it known that she caught the largest bluegill, the most crappies and the biggest smallmouth bass. She hooked the sole incidental 3-pound smallmouth on a 1/16-ounce Northland Bug-A-Boo Jig (marabou) on her first drop of the day to a sonar-found school of ‘gills on Granny Bar.”
Destin DeMarion (Grove City): “I have been fishing ConneautLakequite a bit and I must say I really like it. There are definitely some nice smallmouth and largemouth bass in the lake. On my most recent trip there on August 2nd, I caught three smallies in the 2.5 to 3.5 pound range plus eight largemouth bass in the 1.5 to 2.5 pound range. Most fish came by drop-shotting the deep weed edge with a TriggerX Spadetail or Jackall Crosstail Shad. I also caught a couple bass on a Strike King 5XD in Sexy Shad.”
Tamarack Lake
Ken Anderson (Tionesta): “I fishedTamarackLakethis past week. I landed two largemouth bass on rubber worms from shoreline wood, but had seven other bass come unbuttoned at the boat. The bite was good – but I must need new hooks! My daughter Breanna caught perch, crappie, sunfish and bass on Joe’s Fly Spinner.”

Night fishing success at Woodcock – pictured with smallmouth are Dale Black, Chris Wolfgong and Marilyn Black (© Darl Black photo)
Woodcock Lake
Darl Black (Cochranton): “After our brief visit to Woodcock during the last week of July, Dale Black and I had decided to try night fishing the lake this week. Four of us in two boats (Dale and Chris Wolfgong, Marilyn and me) fished from about 7 PMto 11 PMon Friday, August 5. Each of use scored a respectable smallmouth with topwater lures, plus some smaller bass on topwater and jigs. The hot topwater baits were the Arbogast Jitterbug and the Heddon Crazy Shad. There were two boats launching at the same time going for walleye; one angler said they had caught walleye at night a week ago, but we didn’t see them later and thus don’t know how they made out on Friday night.”
Canadohta Lake
Larry Phillips (Spartanburg) reports having a very good summer on walleye at Canadohta. “This has been my best year ever, taking more legal walleye than any past year. My best single day this summer was three legal walleye – a 25”, 20” and 17” fish. All my walleyes have been taken by slow trolling a crawler harness in 10 to 13-feet of water. The hottest harness has been a Walleye Delight brand with glow-in-the-dark blades and red beads. Of course, having fat, healthy nightcrawlers to put on the worm harness is critical, too. I get my bait at Timberland Bait and Tackle.”
Erie County Waters
Presque Isle Bay
Danny Jones (North East): “On Thursday, August 4th, I caught 57 largemouth bass during an evening tournament. My best four fish weighed 10.3 pounds. I caught them all cranking deep!”
Lake Erie
Mike Tome (B.A.C. Bait): “Walleye success has slowed; more hit and miss now. Fish have moved deeper, out to the north side of the First Trench, into the Second Trench and out at the Mountain. Some of the best walleye fishermen have switched over to perch. Perch catches remain strong – phenomenal may be a better word.”
Jeff Staaf (Poor Richards): “Walleyes are out in 70 to 80 feet of water on the West side; crawler harnesses are out producing plugs. A few steelheads are showing up, too, in walleye catches. Perch are biting in 52 to 57 feet of water this past week; emerald shiners and small golden shiners are all that’s needed to limit out in short time.”
Mercer County Waters
Shenango Lake & Shenango River
Laurie Frantz (R&L Bait): “I’ve got some exciting fishing news. Charles Kinney of Clarks Mills had a banner day on theShenangoRiverthis week. Fishing somewhere above theShenangoLakewaters in the river proper, he caught a 48-inch, 38 lb 10 oz musky plus a 41-3/4 inch, 13 lb 6 oz tiger musky.”
R&L Bait announces new hours –6 AM to 6 PM, six days a week; closed on Mondays.
Stoneboro Lake (i.e. Sandy Lake)
Chuck Papinchak (Cochranton): “I was back atStoneboroLakethis past week, and again caught several 1-1/2 pound largemouth bass on drop-shot worms, plus a couple on spinnerbaits. The water in the lake is very clear. I hope to try there for musky later in the week.”
Neshannock Creek
Bob Shuey (Neshannock Creek Fly Shop) reports the creek is too warm and too low, and trout are severely stressed. “We need rain and cooler temps.”
Venango County Waters
Allegheny River
Dale Black (OilCity) says smallmouth fishing in the river is slow, but if you downsize to a 3” Yum Dinger and drift it with the current, you can catch a few bass. (See Photo #5)
French Creek (Erie, Crawford and Venango Counties)
John Ensworth (John’s Bait) reports selling shiners and nightcrawlers like crazy this past weekend, with most of the bait headed to French Creek. One customer reported catching both northern pike and smallmouth on shiners.
Lou Letterle (Franklin): “I managed to fish a couple times this past week on both French Creek and the Allegheny River. The most productive trip was on lower French Creek near Franklinwhen I took my kids and two of their friends wade-fishing. To keep things simple (and reduce snags), I rigged each rod with either a Yum Dinger or a Fluke – both baits rigged un-weighted on a circle hook. All four kids (Brandi & Corey Letterle and Christi & Carly Zaboroski) caught smallmouth and had a great time.”
Dustin Shay (Meadville) and friends have been on French Creek several days this week. “Russ Chancey caught a 30” walleye on a riffle runner minnow. We also caught some nice smallmouth on riffle runners as well. On another day, Russ caught a 4 pound largemouth from French Creek on a Big Bite Cane Stick which I won in a Fishing Report drawing earlier this year .”
Gamma Salutes
The winner of Gamma Line this week is Lou Letterle for the photos submitted of his son and daughter, and their friends, fishing French Creek for smallmouth bass.
Gamma Line is available locally at CDS (Grove City), Espyville Outdoors (Espyville), Poor Richards (Erie), and John’s Bait (Meadville).
Lure Pack Winner
Winner this week of a Booyah/Yum lure packet is Ken Anderson.
Outdoor Calendar of Events
Monthly Fly-Tying Class – Free, Walk In 814-590-1366
Farrell’s Hook, Line & Stitch (At the Bank Mall),Meadville
2nd Tuesday of each month;6 PM to 7:30 PM
Aug 27 Walt’s Tavern Bass Benefit Tournament; $100.00/team
Information contact: Dan Mincin at 724-986-6557
Sept 18 Allegheny RiverBass Team Tournament #1
$100 per team; for info contact Eric Heil lt.heil@yahoo.com
Oct 16 Allegheny RiverBass Team Tournament #2
$100 per team; for info contact Eric Heil lt.heil@yahoo.com
Nov 5 PA Steelhead Expo atRainbowGardens,Erie,PA
Details to come
Information contributed by:
- Chris’ Tackle Box, Jamestown, PA
- Maurer’s Trading Post, Franklin, PA
- Oil Creek Outfitters, Titusville, PA
- John’s Bait & Tackle, Meadville, PA
- Van Tassel’s Timberland Bait, Canadohta Lake, PA
- Fergie’s Bait & Tackle, Sandy Lake, PA
- R & L Bait & Tackle, Greenville, PA
- B.A.C. Bait & Tackle, Erie, PA
- Poor Richards Bait & Tackle, Fairview, PA
- Presque Isle Angler, Erie, PA
- Neshannock Creek Fly Shop, Volant, PA
- Erie Sports Store, Erie, PA
- CLTackle.com
- Espyville Outdoors, Espyville, PA
- Farrell’s Hook, Line & Stitch, Meadville, PA
- Consumer Direct Sports, Grove City, PA
- Jigger Wholesale Tackle, Franklin, PA
- Area anglers
Sponsored by: PA Great Lakes Region
& GAMMA Fishing Line (now owned by Black Knight Industries of Oil City)
Connect to all counties at www.PaGreatLakes.com
- Crawford County Convention &Visitors Bureau at www.visitcrawford.org
- VisitErie at www.visiterie.com
- VisitMercerCountyPA at www.visitmercercountypa.com
- Oil Region Alliance at www.oilregion.org
Note: The information in the NW PA Weekly Fishing Report is based on the observations and opinions of individuals at the reporting tackle shops and expert area anglers. Although the information is reliable, it is not independently verified.
If you have fishing information or a picture of your catch from one of the waters in the following counties, please contact Darl Black at darlblack@windstream.net
In providing a picture, you are agreeing to it being posted on the Fishing Report.
Keep Up with More NW PA Fishing at http://darlblack.blogspot.com
Northwest Pennsylvania Fishing Report 8-1-11
Posted by Staff in Fishing Reports on August 1, 2011
News
- Weather & Water: Although the temps have dipped slightly and there were a few more thundershowers recently, it wasn’t enough rain to help surface water conditions. Water levels are critically low and too warm – from the smallest streams to the Allegheny. Lakes are near record high water temps. The best bets for fishing may be smaller lakes that are fed by springs or canopy-covered tributaries so their water temps are a few degrees cooler.
- My fishing forecast for coming week: (1) I plan to fish frog lures on LakeLeBoeufand Edinboro, especially to test out the new River2Sea Diver Frog and Tuscaroran Rude Frog. (2) I plan a night fishing trip for smallmouth later this week. (3) I still hope to get to Pymatuning or Shenango for crappie trolling with some new crappie baits. (4) And I want to gather hellgrammites to fish for smallmouth in French Creek and Allegheny River.
- Prize Patrol: For August, the weekly giveaway lure packet will be a Booyah Jig and bag of Craw Papi trailers. And Gamma will also award a spool of line drawn from among the photos sent in and used in the Report. Lure packet winner this week for Report contribution is Edward Lawrence of Corry. Gamma Line winner this week for Photo contribution is Hunter Cascio of Greenville.
French Creek (Erie, Crawford and Venango Counties)
Dustin Shay (Meadville): Dustin and his fishing buddies have been on both French Creek and Cussewago this past week. “Both waterways are unbelievably low and warm; fishing success has been mixed. We caught a number of northern pike between 25 and 35 inches on Yum Money Minnow and jointed Sebile Swimmer. The crayfish are pretty much done molting, so smallmouth are hitting topwater and live creek minnows again. We got into big bluegills on French Creek – caught some on a small Rapala Husky Jerk. We’ve struck out on walleye. But had several muskies explode on a Top Raider musky plug on Cussewago. We watched one big musky chase down and swallow a 20-inch plus sucker.”
Crawford County Waters
Pymatuning Lake
Chris Hall (Espyville Outdoors): “A limit of walleye was reported by an angler trolling around Harris and Clark Islands in 4 feet of water using Hot-N-Tots and worm harnesses. The crappie bite has been good underneath the PA bridge on the Andover causeway; crappies running 12” to 14”, plus smaller ones. Catfish activity has been good all over the lake; Magic Bait Dough and Van-Do Strawberry have been hot sales leaders at the shop.”
Dave Richter (Richter’s General Store): “All fishing action except catfish has slowed with the summer heat. However, even with the slow down, the walleye and crappie fishing is better than it has been in recent summers. A few dedicated anglers are getting 16 to 17-inch walleye. Anglers are still hauling in nice crappies on deepwater brush and stumps in 12 to 18 feet of water. Bass anglers are catching largemouth on buzzbaits in the evening around weedbeds. Several C&R musky in the 30 to 40-inch range reported.”
Ken Smith (Sharon): “I fished Pymatuning on Friday, finding a school of crappies in 13 feet or water; they were big crappies, going 12 inches and longer. I fished a slip bobber with a new lure I have been field-testing: Joe’s Jigs’ Shark; it is available online at Crappie.com.
Conneaut Lake
Steve Hughes (Clarion) and partner Lon Wilson (Meadville) won the United Way Charity Tournament on Conneaut Lake on July 29 with a limit of 8 bass going 21.43 pounds – three pounds ahead of the second place team. Their catch included two smallmouth over 4 pounds. They caught fish on a variety of lures, but most bass came on drop-shotting the outside weedline with Yum Houdini Worms.
Derek Severns (Pittsburgh) reports Mingo Creek Anglers had a tournament at Conneaut over the weekend. Dan Mincin won with 5 bass going 8.8 pounds. Mike Jones had lunker with a 2.68 pound largemouth.
Bryan Stuyvesant (Meadville) has been catching 2 to 3 pound largemouth and smallmouth bass by jerking Yum Houdini Shads and by drop-shotting Yum Houdini Worms.
Chub Hornstein (Meadville) has fished ConneautLakeseveral times in the last couple weeks. He enjoys battling 20 to 35 largemouths mostly in the 1- to 2-pounds range on each trip. “I like to fish for numbers and let the big fish come when they do. My secret is a Zoom French Fry on a Brewer Slider Head fished on the weedline.”
Chuck Papinchak (Cochranton) phoned in a report from Conneaut this morning. “I’ve caught five largemouth, including one 3.5 pounds – all taken on a Rebel Pop R.”
Tamarack Lake
John Ensworth (John’s Bait) reports that over a dozen of his customers this past weekend were buying minnows to fish crappies at Tamarack; they say the bite is still good.
Ken Anderson (Tionesta): “I fished for bass at Tamarack from 7 AMto noonone day last week. Slight breeze and overcast skies early, then glass surface and sun from mid morning. I caught 6 largemouth bass. I got two fish on a Jewel Eakins Jig with Powerbait Chigger Craw trailer on deep wood. The other 4 fish – including a 16.5-incher – came on a Z-Man Chatter Bait. The big fish was in the pads, but all other on shoreline wood. Only one other boat on the lake.”
Woodcock Lake
Darl Black (Cochranton): “The recent issue of the PA Angler carried my article about my long history of fishing Woodcock Lake, noting I had not fished the lake in several years. Dale Black and I decided to try it on Saturday because the Allegheny Riverwas so low and smallmouth running oh so small. Dale had never been on the lake. Both of us were pleasantly surprised to catch smallmouth at every spot that I directed us to – including one over 4 pounds. Our bass came on Get Bit Tubes and Yum Dingers. I broke off one fish that was likely a musky. Lots of musky fishermen trolling, but didn’t talk to anyone who caught a fish.”
Edward Lawrence (Corry) reports catching several small walleye at the Woodcock Spillway this past Wednesday.
Erie County Waters
Lake Erie
Mike Tome (B.A.C. Bait): “I’m still finding bigger perch in shallower water than out deep. I’m fishing 39-40 feet for the last couple weeks. Most boats are out in 50-60 feet – probably because there are more fish and can quickly limit out; but bigger perch are inside that range. Walleye fishing off the Condos on the west side of thePeninsularemains strong.”
Jeff Staaf (Poor Richards): “Perch are in 55’ north out of Walnut. Walleye are in 65’ to 68’ both east and west of Walnut. Crawler harnesses with purple, copper or watermelon blades are taking most walleye.”
John Fuhrmann (Visiting from Arizona): “Erie Dearie success continues to provide fun. A black Dearie with stinger hook and four-inch crawler was the ticket. My buddy and I fished Wednesday from9 AM to4 PM in 20’ to 25’ depth, drifting with the NW 10 knot winds and sunny sky. The first cast brought a walleye. My partner and I kept six ‘eye from 3 to 5 pounds. We returned more than thirty walleye in the 13 to 16 inch range. Those young fish left no doubt the next couple year’s walleye fishing will be excellent. We also boated largemouth, smallmouth, bluegill, rock bass, drum and a 3 lb. golden sucker – a first for me. All onErie Dearies.
Mercer County Waters
Lake Wilhelm
Vicki (Fergies Bait) reports not many anglers fishing; she had one good report of several nice walleye in 12’ to 14’ of water on worm harnesses.
Laurie Frantz (R&L Bait): “Three generations of Cascios from Greenville went fishing at Wilhelm for walleye this week and had great luck drifting worm rigs. Gary, Chris and Hunter all caught some fish. But Hunter caught the largest. It was 28 inches long and weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces. This was the first time they had all gone fishing together. Hunter, the youngest, usually outfishes everyone, and he did it again this week. It warms my heat to see a grandfather, father and son all enjoying themselves so much. These are memories Hunter will carry the rest of his life!”
Shenango Lake & River
Laurie Frantz (R&L Bait): “Several customers are fishing for catfish at the Shenango Reservoir and ShenangoRiver. The hotter the weather, the better cats seem to bite. At customer request, I special ordered catfish bait called Wicked Sticky, which I am told is the cat’s meow. Catch & release musky fishermen are having some luck at both Shenango and Pymatuning, but nothing of trophy size. Grandma Lures is again manufacturing a jointed 7” lures, which I will carry in the shop.
Stoneboro Lake (i.e. Sandy Lake)
Chuck Papinchak (Cochranton) fished Stoneboro this past week, catching a 30” pike on a blue back Bomber crankbait and 7 largemouths by drop-shotting a Yum Dinger.
Neshannock Creek
Bob Shuey (Neshannock Creek Outfitters) says it is way too hot for remaining trout in freestone streams. Some smallmouths are being taken early and late in the day.
Venango County Waters
Allegheny River
Eric Heil (Franklin): “A co-worker and I fished the Allegheny on Friday evening for three hours after work. We focused on areas south of Franklin. We fished primarily soft jerkbaits including the Zoom Super Fluke. Action was spotty but we managed to land about 10 smallmouths and saw several chasers. The up river wind made casting difficult. Water temp remains in the 80s and the water is very clear. The more active smallmouths were in moving water, and color of our baits didn’t seem to matter. I was using a 7’ MH action Kistler Helium spinning rod with 8 pound braided line with a 10-pound Gamma Edge leader.”
Edward Lawrence (Corry): “We caught a small flathead at Kennerdell bridge on Saturday night using a sunfish as bait. We had lots of snags and lost lots of jigs.”
Fishing Tip of the Week
Mike Horrobin, CLTackle: “Late summer is a great time to take kids out for bluegills, panfish or catfish. Kids don’t seem to mind the summer heat as much as us older folks – as long as there is a fish or two to pull on the line. However, don’t forget the bug dope as youngsters’ skin seems to attract mosquitoes like candy.
“It may not be the best time for big fish, but if you start the kids off with a live worm, or a basic artificial like Mike’s Ants, Black Gnat Fly or small curly tail jig – each sweetened with maggots – kids will catch something. Don’t start the little ones out with spinning gear because their fingers are not long enough to control the line. Instead, go with a push-button reel, but not the cheap ‘toy’ category outfit; get a decent rod & reel combo. Expect tangles, know how to take the cone off the reel and bring some extra line to spool on if necessary.
“Remember the objective is for the kids to have a good time and learn something about the outdoors. If they get bored and want to skip stones or chase frogs – let them, it’s only natural. The most important thing to accomplish is to instill in them a love for and respect of the outdoor life.”
Shop Talk
Chris Hall (Espyville Outdoors): “Archery season is approaching. Espyville Outdoors is able to “special order” items such as complete bows or crossbows, arrows, broadheads, tree stands, etc. Anyone mentioning this Fishing Report will save 10% off their entire archery order!”
Outdoor Calendar of Events
Monthly Fly-Tying Class – Free, Walk In 814-590-1366
Farrell’s Hook, Line & Stitch (At the Bank Mall),Meadville
2nd Tuesday of each month;6 PM to 7:30 PM
Aug 27 Walt’s Tavern Bass Benefit Tournament; $100.00/team
Information contact: Dan Mincin at 724-986-6557
Sept 18 Allegheny RiverBass Team Tournament #1
$100 per team; for info contact Eric Heil lt.heil@yahoo.com
Oct 16 Allegheny RiverBass Team Tournament #2
$100 per team; for info contact Eric Heil lt.heil@yahoo.com
Nov 5 PA Steelhead Expo atRainbowGardens,Erie,PA
Details to come
Information contributed by:
- Chris’ Tackle Box, Jamestown, PA
- Maurer’s Trading Post, Franklin, PA
- Oil Creek Outfitters, Titusville, PA
- John’s Bait & Tackle, Meadville, PA
- Van Tassel’s Timberland Bait, Canadohta Lake, PA
- Fergie’s Bait & Tackle, Sandy Lake, PA
- R & L Bait & Tackle, Greenville, PA
- B.A.C. Bait & Tackle, Erie, PA
- Poor Richards Bait & Tackle, Fairview, PA
- Presque Isle Angler, Erie, PA
- Neshannock Creek Fly Shop, Volant, PA
- Erie Sports Store, Erie, PA
- CLTackle.com
- Espyville Outdoors, Espyville, PA
- Farrell’s Hook, Line & Stitch, Meadville, PA
- Consumer Direct Sports, Grove City, PA
- Jigger Wholesale Tackle, Franklin, PA
- Area anglers
Sponsored by: PA Great Lakes Region
& GAMMA Fishing Line (now owned by Black Knight Industries of Oil City)
Connect to all counties at www.PaGreatLakes.com
- Crawford County Convention &Visitors Bureau at www.visitcrawford.org
- VisitErie at www.visiterie.com
- VisitMercerCountyPA at www.visitmercercountypa.com
- Oil Region Alliance at www.oilregion.org
Note: The information in the NW PA Weekly Fishing Report is based on the observations and opinions of individuals at the reporting tackle shops and expert area anglers. Although the information is reliable, it is not independently verified.
If you have fishing information or a picture of your catch from one of the waters in the following counties, please contact Darl Black at darlblack@windstream.net
In providing a picture, you are agreeing to it being posted on the Fishing Report.
Keep Up with More NW PA Fishing at http://darlblack.blogspot.com























