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While drifting a weightless nightcrawler through grassy sections of Pine Creek below North Park Lake, Scott Kozelnik of McCandless caught and released a 30-inch common carp.
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Fishing Report: Cool autumn waters invigorate gamefish throughout the region

Scott Kozelnik

Fishing Report: Cool autumn waters invigorate gamefish throughout the region

Nov. 1 through April 30, all anglers and boaters are required to wear a personal flotation device while in all types of boats less than 16 feet in length.

Lake Erie and tributaries (Erie County) The creeks dropped after weekend rains, leaving good flow and stained water from Ohio to the New York line. Anglers reported large attempted spawning runs and outstanding steelhead fishing. Fly anglers cleaned up on Blood Dots and other single egg patterns, while mid-size minnows and single eggs were the live baits of choice. Pressure was high at easy access pools north of Route 5, but fresh silver bullets were everywhere and anglers willing to walk beyond parking areas found elbow room. Steven Grassor of Monroeville caught his first steelhead on a fly Tuesday at Sixteenmile Creek. With temperatures in Presque Isle Bay holding above 60 degrees, water conditions remained favorable for kayak anglers. No steelhead were spotted in the bay, but yellow perch were scattered and good-sized largemouth bass and Northern pike were caught. Partly cloudy skies, a low chance of rain and temperatures in the mid-50s were expected in the Erie area through the weekend.

Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County) Muskellunge were sighted and walleye were caught with Sonars and other deep-diving lures at 15-20 feet off points and over drop-offs and humps. Perch took crawlers. The annual autumn vegetation-control drawdown is underway. Waters are to be dropped to winter pool levels.

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Woodcock Creek Lake (Crawford County) Sublegal muskellunge, walleye, bass and panfish were pulled from the spillway. In the lake, Fish and Boat stocked fingerling walleye, juvenile muskies, flathead and shiner minnows.

Justus Lake (Venango County) The state stocked rainbow trout Tuesday.

Shenango Reservoir (Mercer County) A strong crappie bite was reported and bass were taken on crankbaits at 5-10 feet.

Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County) Despite a cold rain, crappies over 2 pounds were weighed in during a successful new autumn tournament won by Gus Glasgow and Dan Druschel, who claimed first place and the lunker prize, respectively.

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Lake Arthur (Butler County) Crappies were at 18-20 feet and took tipped jigs over structure.

Glade Run Lake (Butler County) Bass took crawlers. The state Fish and Boat Commission stocked rainbow trout Wednesday and anglers reported catches on worms Thursday.

Raccoon Lake (Beaver County) Newly stocked rainbow trout took worms under bobbers, spinners and jigs near the dam.

Ohio River (Beaver County) Big walleye went for crankbaits. Smallmouths took soft plastics.

Cross Creek Lake (Washington County) Crappies schooled at 10-15 feet and went for live minnows under floats.

Youghiogheny River (Fayette County) A 34-inch, 18.1-pound walleye caught in Connellsville Oct. 28 is expected to be certified as a new Pennsylvania state record. Shore fisherman Richard Nicholson of Connellsville baited his 6-pound test line with a big live creek chub.

Meadow Run (Fayette County) The state stocked rainbows from Dinner Bell Road to the mouth on Oct. 27.

Dunbar Creek (Fayette County) The Catch-and-Release Fly Fishing Only area received a fall stocking of brook and brown trout Oct. 29.

Laurel Hill lake and creek (Somerset County) On Oct. 28, Fish and Boat delivered rainbow trout to the lake. On the same day, the  Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only stretch above the lake was stocked, and on Tuesday fly anglers reported hookups on nymphs and the release of fish in the 15-inch range. Below the lake, the stream was stocked from Humbert to Paddytown Hollow Run. 

File your fishing report and high-resolution digital photos (1MB minimum) at fishingreport@post-gazette.com. Include name, age (for under 18 years), town, species, size, body of water and details of the catch.

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First Published: November 5, 2021, 12:40 p.m.

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While drifting a weightless nightcrawler through grassy sections of Pine Creek below North Park Lake, Scott Kozelnik of McCandless caught and released a 30-inch common carp.  (Scott Kozelnik )
Scott Kozelnik
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