Regional Fishing Report

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
9 December 2011
By Bob Frye

-- There has been little fishing pressure on the Yough River, but those out when water levels have cooperated were getting a few trout at the outflow area on natural baits.

-- A few anglers have been hitting the outflow at Crooked Creek Lake, with those using minnows getting a few small panfish.

-- At Cross Creek Lake, anglers have been picking up crappies and bluegills.

-- Upper and Lower Twin lakes have been giving up trout to the handful of anglers fishing. Live baits and Powerbait have been taking fish.

-- On the Monongahela River, anglers fishing around the dams have been getting some action on white bass and walleyes. Jigs tipped with live bait have been the best producers.

-- Those fishing with bright-colored baits at Lake Wilma have been picking up crappies and other panfish in six to 10 feet of water near structures.

-- At Yellow Creek Lake, bass and northern pike continue to provide action for those using minnows and crankbaits.

-- Heavy rains early this week had Lake Erie's steelhead streams running high and muddy, but the fishing has improved since then as water levels have dropped. Anglers have been getting a few fish from Walnut and Fourmile creeks, with Joe's Flies, sucker spawn, wooly buggers and crystal meth flies all taking fish.

-- At Presque Isle Bay, anglers have been doing well on smallmouth bass by using spinnerbaits and on yellow perch by fishing along the Bayfront highway area. The Dobbins Landing area has been good, too. The first burbot of the season are being reported.

-- At Pymatuning Lake, the walleye bite has been good, with lots of sublegal fish and the occasional whopper, like a 9-pounder reported. The southern end of the lake has been the hot spot, and vertical jigging with Heddon Sonars has been the best method.

-- Fishing pressure has been light at Lake Arthur, but anglers have been taking a few crappies fishing around brushpiles with jigs tipped with minnows.

-- Fishing on the Allegheny River has been slow of late, perhaps because of high water.

Bob Frye can be reached at bfrye@tribweb.com or 724-838-5148.