The Dec. 9 fishing report from Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer Randy Leighton and Waterways Conservation Officer Brook Tolbert:
Frigid conditions and ice forming this past weekend gave way to relatively mild temperatures and heavy rain on Tuesday. The remaining snow was quickly melted off and sent the tribs in high and fast-flowing conditions. Cold temperatures are again expected towards the end of the week and as the tribs subside we may have good fishing conditions for the weekend. This time of year, conditions change fast and for those traveling long distances, a quick phone call to one of the area bait shops may be wise.
There are still large numbers of fish holding in the nursery waters at Trout Run. Most of the fish are blackened and weak; however, close observation revealed a surprising number of fresh fish mixed in the pack. Fishing the shoreline at Trout Run is usually good throughout the winter and into the spring, wind and waves permitting.
The Walnut Creek basin has been giving up good numbers of fish for those willing to brave the weather. There was skim ice forming on Presque Isle Bay before the rain and the mild temperatures, something we haven't seen this early in a number of years.