The Lake Erie tributaries fishing report as of Jan. 6 from Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer Randy Leighton and Waterways Conservation Officer WCO Brook Tolbert:
Erie has enjoyed a break from snow and rain allowing the tribs to subside significantly. Day and night temperatures have made slushy conditions especially in the morning hours ice forming in the slow shallow pools. Most areas remain open, although the fish have scattered and continue move into the upper stretches. There is still reasonable flow although conditions are clear. This past weekend conditions were crowded at both the Walnut and Elk Creek Accesses. The Erie area has had well over 60 inches of snow so far this winter, helping to keep the tribs at overall good levels. Forecasts are calling for nighttime temps dipping into the teens and perhaps the beginning of freeze-over. Of course this helps the hard water fishing season.
Anglers are still pulling fish from the Walnut Creek basin between freeze-overs and the Manchester Hole is still loaded. Anglers targeting the lakeshore at Trout and Godfrey runs are doing fair, conditions permitting. WCO Jim Smolko reports that the eastside tribs are holding good numbers of fish.