Meltdown continues around the area with all the the tributaries open and running. Recent rain along with slightly warmer temperatures have brought some fresh fish in but no big numbers reported at this time. Fish are scattered and with many winter-worn fish. There is considerable open water on the lake and Presque Isle Bay. Water levels are high around the access areas and targeting these areas for fresh fish may be worthwhile. With additional rain and warmer temperatures throughout the week, we could see some additional steelhead movement. Steelhead can be found upstream on most of the tribs, typically south of Route 5 up and beyond Route 20, although very few fresh fish have been reported

A few hearty anglers were found fishing the open water in the Erie channel between Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie. This is a good time of year to target burbot from both the North and South piers along the channel as well as perch moving into the bay to spawn.

Ice on Presque Isle Bay is melting fast with reports on Tuesday of a few inches or so inches of soft unstable ice with considerable slush and water. Anglers are advised that ice conditions should now be considered unsafe. There have been a number of reported fall-throughs on Presque Isle Bay over the last few weeks. Rain and warm daytime temperatures this week may bring the hardwater season to an end by the weekend.

On the bright side, ice-out typically means the beginning of an abundance of slab crappie in and around Presque Isle Bay.

Current tributary conditions as of this writing are high and flowing with good color. The stage is set.

More northwestern Pennsylvania reports are available here.