DISTRICT

Lake Erie: Dandy catches of perch were in 65 to 70 feet heading west out of Walnut Creek in recent days. Walleyes were hitting in the same area. Spottier walleye action was reported in 40 feet. Yesterday's leaders in the Poor Richard's annual big fish contest that runs through mid-August were Dave Schuler's 8-pound walleye and Bill Hovanek's 1-pound, 7-ounce perch. Sam Stellitano of Sharpsburg released a 7-pound, 10-ounce smallmouth Sunday on a tube in 25 feet out of Northeast, and a number of other bass on crankbaits in shallower water.

Tionesta Outflow (Forest County): Anglers were catching muskies, walleyes and panfish.

Shenango Reservoir (Mercer County): A good crappie bite continued amid light angling pressure in recent days. The deeper water was yielding sizes up to 14 inches. Anglers also were catching smallmouth bass in deeper water. A few largemouths were hitting along shore. The occasional walleye catch also was reported. Water was on the high side Wednesday. For conditions, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 724-962-4384.

Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County): Nice largemouth bass, walleyes, bluegills and a few crappies were reported in recent days. Bob Caszatt of Clarks Mills caught six bass, 13 to 20 inches, on spinnerbaits. Chris and son Jon Coholich of Allison Park caught nine bass, 16 to 18 inches, on spinnerbaits. Howard Graybill of Stoneboro caught a 20-inch, 2-pound, 13-ounce walleye on a Hot n Tot. Steve Sofi of Butler caught a 21-inch, 3 1/4-pound walleye, and Earl Garrett of New Eagle a 25-inch, 5 3/4-pound walleye, both on crawler harnesses. Bob Danlovich of Homestead caught two 2-pound bass and several bluegills and crappies.

Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County): Some walleye catches were still reported this week, with the best action at night for those wading the points or casting to weed beds from boats. Anglers trolling worm harnesses during the day also were catching a few. This has been a good year for crappies, which were still hitting in decent sizes and numbers around deeper structure. Channel catfish also were biting.

Allegheny River: The Downtown TriAnglers caught 19 fish in their Wednesday outing on the North Shore. Highlights included Tom Lippert's 19-inch smallmouth buffalo, Karen Delfine's 20-inch channel catfish, Mike Kirshenbaum's 20-inch channel catfish and John Force's 17-inch longnose gar. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has proposed removing smallmouth buffalo longnose gar from protected status, effective next year. A final decision will be made in coming months.

Monongahela River: Ron Pate and Mike Rychorcewicz of Butler won Saturday's Keystone Bass Buddy Circuit tournament, with a six-fish total of 8 1/4 pounds. Keith Kristoff of Butler weighed the tournament lunker, a 3 1/2-pound smallmouth. A total of 98 two-man teams caught 275 fish, including 183 smallmouths, 82 largemouths and 10 spotted bass. The total weight was 312 pounds. Ken Schoemer leads the Shad Lure Bait and Tackle July catfish contest with a 29-pound flathead. Saugers, walleyes and catfish were hitting in recent days.

Ohio River/Chartiers Creek: Joe Hines of Findlay Township caught a 4-pound, 1-ounce, 25 1/4-inch sauger with 10-inch girth on a creek chub and 3/4-ounce jig head July 18 in Chartiers Creek near Heidelberg. The fish was an ounce over the state record, but at least 2 ounces is needed to break a state record. Stephen Manukas of Cranberry and his children Michelle, 8, and Christopher, 4, boated a 26-pound flathead on a live bluegill night-fishing near Sewickley.

Youghiogheny River/Meadow Run (Fayette County): Muddy water was reported yesterday but is expected to clear by the weekend. Last week, Tom Shockey of Chalk Hill released a 28-inch brown trout on a squirrel nymph at the mouth of Meadow Run.

Youghiogheny Reservoir (Somerset County): Nice bass catches were reported last weekend. The Yough Walleye Association's "Fish for Life" tournament to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is slated for Sunday. For more, call S&S Bait and Tackle at 724-438-3871.

Cross Creek Lake (Washington County): Panfishing was good in recent days on this county-owned Panfish Enhancement Program impoundment, which also yields nice bass.

Spring Creek (Centre County): Terrestrials were a good bet in recent days. Trico spinners were seen at Fisherman's Paradise yesterday morning. Spotty hatches of tan, olive and dun-colored caddis (16, 18) were reported along with small Blue-Winged Olives (22, 24).

Pine Creek (Lycoming County): Smallmouth and walleye fishing was excellent in recent days for anglers wanting to avoid temperature-stressed trout. Streamers, wooly buggers and poppers were fishing well.

Report your catch to fishingreport@post-gazette.com. Include angler's name, age (if he or she is a child), place of residence, species, size, body of water, date of catch and phone number (not for publication). Publish your digital at Post Your Catch, www.post-gazette.com/sports/huntingfishing.