FLW Pro bass angler Dave Lefebre shows that bass isn’t his only fishing forte. On May 1, Lefebre and fishing buddy Jimmy Lunsford caught this mess of crappie at Pymatuning in about 1 hour. Fish were taken from deep stumps on a 2” Yamamoto Grub in Firecracker color. Photo by Darl Black
I’m always looking for new waters to fish. Thanks to my friends over in Crawford county for providing some timely and useful fishing reports!
Reporting date: May 4, 2010
Sponsored by:
Crawford County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism
Information contributed by:
* Chris’ Tackle Box, Jamestown, PA
* Sue’s Bait & Tackle Shop, Cooperstown, PA
* Mauer’s Trading Post, Franklin, PA
* Oil Creek Outfitters, Titusville, PA
* John’s Bait & Tackle, Meadville, PA
Crawford County Waters
Pymatuning Lake
Chris’s Tackle Box reports crappie fishing at Pymatuning has been very good all spring, with the bite even better this past weekend. As the fish prepare to spawn, crappies are being caught at depths from 2 feet to 16 feet all over the lake. Black crappies are generally shallower than white crappies, but both species are found primarily around submerged wood cover at all depths. Although live minnows are favored by many anglers, Dave Lefebre and Jimmy Lunsford made an impressive catch of black and white crappies with 2-inch swim-tail grubs around stumps on a deepwater flat on May 1. Walleye success has been sporadic with live bait the most successful tactic. Bass anglers have been making strong catches of largemouth in the shallows on jig-n-chunks, soft jerkbaits and stick worms.
Conneaut Lake
Conneaut is slower to warm than other county lakes, so fishing success has been slower as well. Recently, a few anglers have caught and release quality largemouths on lipless rattle plugs. Crappies are just starting to move on the main lake; the bite should pick up as the water temperature increases over the next two weeks. The best fishing has been for northern pike, with numerous pike taken on soft plastic swim baits fished over weedbeds on the west side of the lake.
French Creek
John’s Bait & Tackle has reports of walleye and musky taken from French Creek on live creek chubs this past weekend. Heavy rains in this agricultural watershed on Monday of will likely keep the water dirty into the weekend. Good time to try an orange blade Mepps spinner for pike and musky.
Tamarack Lake
Several muskies were reported from Tamarack Lake this past weekend, including one fish on a Jointed Rapala Minnow. Crappies and bluegills are being caught, but they are on the small side.
County Trout Streams
At the present time, butter worms are the number one live bait for stream trout according to John’s Bait & Tackle. Little Sugar, Woodcock Creek and Conneaut Creek have been producing nice trout.
Venango County Waters
Allegheny River
According to Mauer’s Trading Post, the walleye season on the river opened with a yawn. Fishing was uncharacteristically poor – likely due to heavy rain over a week ago that dirtied the water. With no additional serious rainfall later this week, water color in the river should improve by weekend. Try a long minnow plug or #3 spinner for walleye. The catch-and-release spring season continues to provide river opportunities; this past weekend bass were reported on tube jigs, grubs and swimbaits.
Justus Lake
Trout are the hot ticket at Justus Lake right now. Sue’s Bait and Tackle reports the better catches of trout are being made on wax worms, red worms and nightcrawlers. Justus Lake will be stocked mid week just in time for this coming weekend.
Oil Creek
Oil Creek Outfitters reports excellent trout fishing on the Creek with lots of insect hatches. Caddis and Blue Wing Olives are the hot hatches this week. Oil Creek will be stocked on Thursday in time for the weekend.
County Trout Streams
Water levels remain strong in the smaller streams. Good trout catches from Sugar, Little Sandy and Two Mile Creek have been noted.
Fishing Tip
Regardless of the species – from bass to trout – when a river or stream is discolored by heavy rains, try a straight shaft spinner or spinnerbait with brightly colored blades (chartreuse, orange or red).
Juan, thanks for the info about the wb susguehanna, heading to wv to paddle ,fish, and camp sb potomac at smoke hole. must try someplace new. I am looking at the heritage angler 14 any comments
thanks ,joe
Joe, sounds like a great trip! I’ll be on the potomac next week in northern VA. Heritage makes a nice kayak. My suggestion would be to paddle as many different kayakers as you can that fit your requirements. Then make a decision.
i fished the juniata river this weekend for the first time..i as wondering about walleye i dock in lewistown and was ,wondering if you could help me with the type of rigs to use and how to use them for walleye, any help would be appreciated…..thanks
Darrel,
Unfortunately, I’m not an expert at walleye fishing. Live bait rigs are the best for walleye in the summer. Twister tail jigs tipped with a live minnow. Night crawlers rigged on various bottom bouncing walleye rigs are good as well. Most tackle stores stock some type of live bait rig specifically designed for Walleye. If you fish during the day….cloudy overcast days are best…walleye do not like the sun!
HEY THANKS FOR THE INFO AND THE TIME ..REALLY APPRECIATE IT THANKS
No probem Darrel…any time. I just wish I was more versed on walleye fishing.
so how can i catch walleye out of french creek? like wat are the besy ways and approches to catching them???
Ben, I’ve only fished the creek a couple of times. We caught a good number of walleye on 1/4 oz. spinnerbaits and crankbaits. .. I lot of smallmouth too!