DISTRICT

A new boat launch with free parking and floating dock is open to the public on the Allegheny River off 13th Street in Sharpsburg. An on-site dedication is slated for 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay: Perch were hitting in 57 to 62 feet straight out of Walnut Creek yesterday. The walleye bite picked up with catches coming on crawler harnesses and spoons in 65 to 70 feet toward the Ohio line. Some limits were reported. A few steelhead were caught in the same water. Winners of the Poor Richard's Bait and Tackle annual Big Fish Contest were Dick Schreckengost of New Bethlehem with a 9-pound 13-ounce, 32-inch walleye, and Bill Hovanec of Aliquippa with a 1-pound 7-ounce, 14 3/4- inch perch. In Presque Isle Bay, largemouth bass were hitting off the east and west piers and the Perry monument, and northern pike in the lagoons and Misery Bay. Crappies also were reported in Misery Bay and in the marina area in the evening. Perch were spotty, with occasional catches off the north pier. Bluegills abound.

Allegheny River (Warren, Forest counties) -- Karl Scholtz of Shaler released seven smallmouth bass up to 16 inches and a 25-inch walleye on jigs with curly tails, on a recent Tidioute-to-West Hickory float trip.

Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County) -- Nice crappies were caught around deeper structure, along with large numbers of channel catfish in recent days. Anglers were catching bass around deeper weed beds. Very few walleyes were reported.

Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County) -- Clarissa Miller of Clarks Mills caught a 6-pound, 23 1/2-inch largemouth bass on a buzz bait from shore July 27. Trent Hittle, 8, of Hadley caught a 16 1/2-inch, 1 1/2-pound bass on a crawler. Numbers of bass were reported in recent days. A few walleyes were hitting in deeper water near the dam. Crappies were also in deeper water of about 11 feet. Jean Kremis of Greenville caught a 4 1/2-pound, 23-inch walleye on a Hot 'n Tot Sunday. Bluegills abound.

Shenango Reservoir (Mercer County) -- A good crappie bite continued this week with fish hitting deep during the day and in the shallows in early evening.

Neshannock Creek (Lawrence County) -- Good conditions were reported yesterday with flow slightly low and colored. Small Blue-Winged Olives were hatching. Midges and terrestrials were productive, along with small nymphs fished on the bottom. Anglers were targeting smallmouth bass with crayfish and hellgrammite patterns, streamers and poppers in the early mornings and evenings. Cooler temperatures bode well for targeting holdover trout this fall. For more, visit www.ncflyshop.com.

Lake Arthur (Butler County) -- Chuck Walker, Jr. and Cole Walker won the Wednesday night BassCaster Buddy Tournament with a four-fish limit totaling 9 1/4 pounds. Craig and Joe Wozniak caught the lunker, a 4 3/4-pound largemouth. Ernie and Ken Pate won the Kyle McFeely Memorial Scholarship Tournament Sunday with a six-bass limit totaling 15 3/4-pounds. Bill Pinkle and Tyler Stang caught the lunker, a largemouth nearly 6 1/2 pounds. Anglers also were catching crappies and bluegills.

Allegheny River -- Smallmouth bass were reported in recent days.

Monongahela River -- Cheyanne and Joey Byrd, 12 and 11, of Turtle Creek, caught two flathead catfish, 30 and 28 inches, and three channel catfish 21 and 24 inches -- the larger of 15 cats caught in total while fishing with their uncle Andy Moder on Aug. 5.

Ohio River -- Anglers were catching small to average walleyes, saugers and smallmouth bass.

Loyalhanna Creek/Mill Creek (Westmoreland County) -- Craig Nemchik of White Oak released a 20-inch, 3-pound brown trout on a crayfish pattern in Loyalhanna's Delayed Harvest water in low, clear conditions last weekend. Numbers of trout were holding there. Shrimp eggs were productive on Mill Creek.

Youghiogheny River -- Good conditions and numbers of trout and smallmouth bass were reported this week. Smallmouths were hitting streamers. Trout were taking small cream Cahills, Blue-Winged Olives, drowned ants, beetles, and hoppers.

Youghiogheny Reservoir (Fayette County) -- Smallmouth bass up to 18 inches and nice-size bluegills were reported this week.

High Point Lake (Somerset County)

Catches of a few small northern pike were reported this week. Lower water levels during dam repairs have made boat launching very difficult.

Spring Creek (Centre County)-- Flow was normal on this limestoner yesterday. Morning trico hatches were reported, along with sporadic tan, olive and dun-color caddis (16-18). Terrestrials, such as ants and beetles, were recommended, as were Green Weenies, Hare's Ears, Pheasant Tails and other nymphs. For more, visit www.tcoflyfishing.com.

Raystown Lake (Huntingdon County) -- Cool weather dropped the surface temperature to 75 degrees yesterday, and the striped bass bite was slow. Anglers were doing best in recent days on live bait such as gizzard shad and alewife, in early morning and at dusk.

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