DISTRICT

Lake Erie: Good walleye and perch fishing continued in excellent conditions this week. Perch were hitting in 62 to 70 feet (a little closer than in previous weeks) straight out of and west of Walnut Creek. Walleyes were coming in 65 to 70 feet in the same area. Incidental catches of steelhead were reported with walleyes, but fewer than in previous years. Brian Ruland of Erie and a friend caught limits of perch and nice numbers of steelhead up to 8 pounds out of Northeast this week. Perch were in 72 feet straight out of Northeast and walleyes in 95 to 115 feet, west to east. Early morning anglers were catching a few steelhead at the lake front, but recent hot weather had warmed surface temperatures slightly in recent days, slowing an already limited bite.

Allegheny Reservoir/Allegheny River (Warren County): Walleyes, 17 to 20 inches, were reported in the river. An angler caught a 45-inch, 29-pound muskie Saturday on a Mr. Muskie spinnerbait near Starbrick. Another angler released a 26-inch brown trout Saturday on a Rapala near Glade Bridge in Warren. Anglers were catching walleyes and perch in 20 feet in the reservoir, which had 71 degree surface water Wednesday.

Shenango Reservoir (Mercer County): Fishing pressure picked up in recent days, with anglers catching crappies, catfish and hybrid stripers in the evening. Largemouths were hitting along the shoreline, and smallmouth were being caught deeper.

Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County): Largemouth bass up to 17 inches were reported and decent bluegills were caught by the dam. Some crappies were hitting in deep water between Launches 2 and 1. Decent perch were hitting in the first bay below Launch 4. Saturday, Johnnie Petritis of Monessen caught an 18-inch bass on a crankbait, and Dylan Myers, 11, of Grove City two bass, 14 inches, 1 3/4 pounds and 18 inches, 2 3/4 pounds, on a Hot 'n Tot, fishing with his grandfather Chuck Myers of Polk. Ron Kautchick of Stoneboro caught a 36 1/2-inch, 11 1/2-pound northern pike on a creek chub. Monday, Mike Capolupo of Pittsburgh released an 18-inch, 3-pound bass on a Mister Twister.

Allegheny River (Venango County): Water was low, clear and warm this week, making for a finicky bass bite.

Oil Creek (Venango County): Anglers were catching trout in the upper reaches on small caddis flies in the mornings, and nymphs and streamers in the evenings. Smallmouth bass were hitting on streamers such as Triple Threats and Wooly Buggers and crayfish patterns in the lower reaches through the day. Water was low and clear yesterday and rain was forecast.

Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County): Cooler nights lowered water to 71 degrees Wednesday and spurred the walleye bite. Anglers were catching walleyes 18 to 24 inches jigging Sonars in deeper water or trolling Hot 'n Tots. Crappies also were hitting in deeper water. The muskie bite was on in recent weeks, with fish up to 48 inches released around weed beds.

Lake Arthur (Butler County): Anglers caught walleyes on submerged structure and near Route 422 in recent days. Hybrid stripers also were reported mostly in the evenings while chasing alewife to shore, and occasionally during the day in deeper water. Perch up to 1 pound also were picked up in recent days.

North Park Lake (Allegheny County): Rick Bergman of Gibsonia released two 18-inch largemouth bass Aug. 29 on a jitterbug.

Allegheny River: The Venture Outdoors Downtown TriAnglers landed 22 fish off the North Shore Wednesday. Highlights included John Force's 14-inch smallmouth bass and 18-inch flathead catfish, Tommy Lippert's 25-inch carp and Dave Boslett's 11-inch crappie. Anglers also were catching hybrid stripers, smallmouth bass, catfish and walleyes in low conditions.

Ohio River: Tammy and Rich Whiteside of Sewickley released numbers of catfish on bluegills Sunday night, with three 16-pounders the largest they caught near Industry.

Monongahela River: Anglers were catching saugers and smallmouths in low water in recent days.

Youghiogheny River/Reservoir (Fayette County): The tailrace of the dam was heavily fished in good conditions last weekend. The reservoir yielded smallmouth bass, crappies, bluegills, numbers of large catfish and some nice perch.

Meadow Run (Fayette County): The delayed harvest area of this Youghiogheny River tributary yielded trout in recent days.

Spring Creek (Centre County): Below-normal flow was reported Wednesday. Tricos have been hatching during recent mornings, and tan, olive and dun-colored caddis (16-18) less consistently. Blue-Winged Olives (22-24) were reported. Ants and beetles are generally a good bet at this time of year. Nymphing with Green Weenies, Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears, scuds, cressbugs and zebra midges also are recommended. For more, visit www.tcoflyfishing.com.

Report your catch to fishingreport@post-gazette.com.