DISTRICT

Anglers are reminded that Approved Trout Waters close at 12:01 a.m. Sunday and reopen at 8 a.m. April 18, when trout season begins in this part of the state. Special regulations waters remain open year-round, and will be stocked in coming weeks. Early Season Trout-Stocked Waters remain open during March, then close April 1 until opening day.

Lake Erie: The streams opened up with yesterday's milder weather. Water was low and clear, although the pools had nice color. Some ice anglers continued to fish Misery Bay and Horseshoe Pond in Presque Isle Bay this week, reporting bluegills, perch and some nice-size crappies.

Allegheny River (Forest County): The ice around Tionesta has thawed and boats were launching at the Tionesta Sand and Gravel ramp, although shore fishing could be difficult in places.

Tionesta Reservoir (Forest County): The outflow has come down and anglers were targeting muskies and walleyes.

Justus Lake (Venango County): Average catch rates of trout were reported, mostly on live bait.

Kahle Lake (Venango County): The eastern fringes of the lake were getting the most pressure in recent days, with panfish and crappies hitting on grubs and minnows.

Neshannock Creek (Mercer County): Low flow and good color were reported yesterday. Some early black and brown stonefly activity was beginning. The Delayed Harvest section will be stocked March 7 by the Fish and Boat Commission and March 14 by Neshannock Creek Fly Shop.

Lake Wilhelm (Mercer County): Numbers of bluegills and crappies were still being iced this week around launches 1 and 3 and in "the stumps," but sizes were running small. A few nice-size perch also were reported.

Lake Arthur (Butler County): About 30 anglers were ice-fishing the Muddy Creek and Shannon Run bays on the eastern end yesterday and catching bass, crappies and northern pike.

Lower Hereford Manor Lake (Beaver County): Anglers were catching bass and nice numbers of trout, including limits, through the ice as of Wednesday.

Brady's Run Lake (Beaver County): Limits of trout were hitting on minnows and jigs tipped with waxworms.

Raccoon Lake (Beaver County): Brandon Tardio of Beechview iced 10 largemouth bass, 15 crappies and many sunfish on live bait two weeks ago.

Allegheny, Ohio, Beaver rivers: Mild weather and good conditions brought more pressure to the rivers in recent days. Some anglers were catching small walleyes at the dams on the Ohio. The bite on the Beaver River has been slow.

Glendale Lake (Cambria County): Perch were hitting at dusk and crappies after dark in recent days. Anglers also were catching northern pike and pickerel. Richard Lear of Altoona caught a 36-inch pike with 17-inch girth on a large shiner Saturday around Slate Lick Run.

Spring Creek (Centre County): Low flow and midge activity were reported midweek. Effective tactics included nymphing with Green Weenies, Pheasant Tails and Hare's Ears, or dead-drifting or slowly swimming streamers such as olive Slump Busters.

Penn's Creek (Union County): Below-average flow was reported. Slowly fishing small to midsize streamers and stonefly patterns through the slower pools and braids was recommended. Nymphing with Green Weenies, Brown or Golden Stoneflies and sucker spawn also may be effective.

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