DISTRICT

Although ice-fishing was reported at a few area lakes earlier this week, some had thin ice, which has been further impacted by fluctuating weather conditions. Anglers are reminded that four inches is considered the minimal thickness for fishing, and extreme caution should be exercised even on ice that appears to be safe. For more on ice fishing do's and don't's, visit www.fishandboat.com.

Lake Erie tributaries, Presque Isle Bay -- Good flow and color in the streams and nice numbers of steelhead made for productive fishing over the past couple of days, with anglers reporting catches on eggs and minnows. Fly fishermen were dead-drifting nymphs and egg patterns, working those flies in tandem or dead-drifting streamers through the deeper holes. In Presque Isle Bay, anglers were catching steelhead off the east and west piers and the waterworks pier. Very few perch were reported. Winter storm warnings with snow and freezing rain were forecast.

Allegheny River, Allegheny Reservoir (Warren County) -- A few walleyes (16 to 25 inches) and releases of brown and rainbow trout were reported below the dam earlier this week, although fishing pressure remained low. Rising water and subsequent releases from the dam yesterday were eroding whatever ice had begun to develop in the lake and causing very high flow in the river. Snow was forecast for the region.

Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County) -- Skim ice covered parts of the lake this week, and ice coated the boat ramps. The only action was below the dam, with anglers catching average numbers and sizes of crappies, walleyes and perch.

Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County) -- As of yesterday morning, parts of the upper end of the lake had skim ice.

Lake Arthur (Butler County) -- A small group of anglers recklessly fished thin ice in the northern end of Muddy Creek bay Saturday, but scrambled to shore when they heard the ice creak. They reported catching a few bass, crappies and bluegills. The high for today was predicted to be 40 degrees.

Allegheny, Ohio, Monongahela rivers -- The only action in recent days was on the Allegheny, where a few anglers were catching average-size walleyes and catfish around the warm water discharge of the power plant in Cheswick. Conditions were fishable on the Allegheny yesterday, but the Mon and Ohio were reportedly high and muddy.

High Point Lake (Somerset County) --A few anglers ice-fishing Sunday through Tuesday reported catching small northern pike, bass and perch. As of yesterday, warm weather had eroded the ice significantly. S&S Bait and Tackle is moving and will be located at 2944 National Pike in Chalk Hill, Fayette Co., Jan. 2.

Spring Creek (Centre County) -- This limestone stream was in excellent condition yesterday. Green Weenies, scuds, cress bugs, Pheasant Tail and Hare's Ear nymphs, and zebra midges were the ticket. Although most trout have finished spawning, anglers were urged to avoid gravely areas where stragglers might still be on their beds here and on other streams where natural reproduction occurs. For more on this and other central Pa. streams, visit www.tcoflyfishing.com.

Penn's Creek (Union County) -- Flow was high and green but fishable yesterday. In these conditions, generic nymphs such as Green Weenies, Pheasant Tails and Hare's Ears, sucker spawn or streamers stripped past the banks should work. In water below 40 degrees, fish the deep pools.

Little Juniata River (Blair County) -- Flow was high and made for difficult wading yesterday. Generic nymphs, such as Pheasant Tails and Hare's Ears, Caddis Larvae and Green Weenies, were recommended, along with stripping larger streamers past the banks. Sucker spawn was a good go-to fly.

Deep Creek Lake (Maryland) -- Some anglers were ice-fishing the coves and catching walleyes and perch earlier this week. Ice conditions were unknown yesterday.

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 fishing photos at www.post-gazette.com/sports/huntingfishing.