Lake Erie tributaries filled with both steelhead and anglers

The past couple weeks of steelhead fishing have been very productive in Erie, according to Jake at FishUSA.

“With recent rain, high water brought lots of chrome fish into the streams and they were willing to eat,” he said. “Be sure to fish the water in between the big pools because fish are constantly moving upstream. Small cuts and depressions between the holes will hold moving fish! Bold and bright colors like chartreuse, hot pink and bright orange beads and egg sacks have been the ticket for chromers. Minnow patterns such as White Death or the local favorite Little Precious are also producing.”

At Elk Creek Sports, Dan says steelhead have reached McKean for the first time this season. “As usual, some anglers are enjoying more success than others. I like to remind anglers that steelhead resting in big holes are not active and therefore are tough to catch. But fish in faster moving water are the more catchable steelhead.”

As of Wednesday, the streams were dropping fast. Rain was in the forecast for Thursday, as well as Sunday and Monday. Bill at Tudor’s says the amount expected Thursday will be enough to raise levels and muddy the streams, and may result in a blowout.

While agreeing this has been an exceptional two weeks of steelheading on the streams, Jeff at Poor Richard’s knows water flow in streams can change in a short time. “Big and bright works in dirty water, but when stream conditions return to low and clear stream conditions, it’s back to single eggs, minnows, and black Mini Foo jigs. Black is a color that works well in both clear and dirty water.”

“We have good numbers of fish in the three primary streams on the East Side of Erie — Twenty Mile, Sixteen Mile and Four Mile,” said Kirk at East End Angler. “However, the streams are being overwhelmed with anglers! Fortunately, we have options in Erie, and right now the perch bite in Presque Isle Bay is expanding throughout the Bay. Both boat and pier anglers are catching them, although you’ve got to go through many small ones to put together a catch of keepers.”

The news from inland waters remains about the same. At Pymatuning, there has been a slight uptick in walleyes and crappies, along with some bigger perch reported. Dave at Richter’s Bait says it’s basically a handful of regulars who are catching the walleye, mainly with blade baits. He anticipates a stronger walleye bite when water temperature drops a few more degrees.

At Shenango Lake, the crappie bite continues with these fish coming primarily from around cover at depths in 12 to 18 feet, although a few anglers are having success from key shoreline spots. Decent smallmouth bass catches are being made by a handful of anglers.