This week’s Erie-area fishing report from Randy Leighton, deputy waterways conservation officer for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission:
VanTassel’s Timberland Bait Shop’s annual ice fishing tournaments at Conneaut Lake and Canadohta Lake will award as much as $500 to anglers who catch the longest fish in a classification.
The Conneaut Lake tournament is Feb. 4 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting at Fireman’s Beach. The Canadohta Lake tournament is Feb. 11 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anglers at each event will fish for musky, pike, perch and crappie. The longest musky brings $500, the longest pike $325, and the longest perch and crappie $50 each. There also will be 50-50 drawings and, at Canadohta Lake, a children’s perch and crappie contest.
Registration is $15 for each tournament at Timberland Bait, 36320 Dutch Hill Road, Union City. Registration also will be available the morning of the Conneaut Lake tournament.
For information, call (814) 694-3474 or (814) 882-8369.
If you plan to fish on the ice this winter across the border in New York state, be aware that DEC regulations have changed.
“In waters where ice fishing is permitted, anglers will be allowed to use up to three lines and five tip-ups except as noted in special regulations for specific waters. Previously, ice anglers could only use two lines with five tip-ups.”
Jim Krawiec of Franklin was the grand champ at this past weekend’s annual Timberland Bait ice fishing contest on Canadohta Lake.
Krawiec’s 34 7/8-inch northern pike, which weighed 9 pounds 12 ounces, won him $600.
Jim Krawiec, right, and Jerry Van Tassel of Timberland Bait.
Jerry Van Tassel has scheduled another ice-fishing tournament for March 5 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, all him at (814) 882-8369.
Jim Krawiec of Franklin took top honors at the Van Tassel Timberland Bait ice-fishing contest at Canadohta Lake on Saturday and Sunday with a 9-pound 12-ounce northern pike.
The fish measured 34 7/8 inches. Krawiec won $600.
There were 260 adult and 13 child participants on the lake. Brian Rice of Clarks Mills won $500 for his 22 1/8-inch, 4-pound 9-ounce walleye.
Brian Rice and his $500 walleye.
The yellow perch division winner was Andrew Furry of Edinboro, whose 12 7/8-inch catch was worth $100. Karen Brozell of Union City caught a 12 3/4-inch crappie worth $100.
Justin Kolarich won the 50/50, worth $460.
Kids winners were Katie Brozell ($50) and Jordyan Brozell ($15) for their crappie, and Kyle Kolarich ($50) and Bailey Kozalla ($15) for their perch.
An angler was pulled from the ice this past weekend near Kinzua Dam. The Associated Press report:
BRADFORD — A fisherman has been rescued from an ice flow near the Kinzua Dam.
The Bradford Era newspaper reports that 45-year-old Richard Edinger, of James City, became stranded on the floating piece of ice Saturday around 11 p.m. Witnesses say Edinger fell through the ice and was able to climb onto the small iceberg while others nearby called for help.
Members of the Corydon Township Fire Department were sent to help Edinger. They used a hovercraft and a flat-bottomed boat to rescue Edinger.
Edinger was taken to the Bradford Regional Medical Center to bring up his body temperature. Rescue officials tell the newspaper that Edinger was expected to fully recover.
The warming weather’s going to have its way with ice cover on our lakes and ponds before too long, but not in time to derail Van Tassel’s Timberland Bait Shop’s annual ice fishing tournament Saturday and Sunday on Canadohta lake.
Temperatures reached a low of 7 overnight and ice is 14 inches to 16 inches thick Tuesday morning, Jerry Van Tassel said. The Sunday-Monday thaw did shear the surface of snow and ice mounds.
Fishing there has been good, Van Tassel said. An angler from Erie caught a 49-inch musky Saturday, and a 25-inch walleye also was reported. Each was released.
Cash prizes go to the top musky, pike, perch and crappie this weekend. Last year’s grand champ was a 49-inch, 32 1/2-pound musky.
This week’s Erie-area fishing report from Randy Leighton, deputy waterways conservation officer for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission:
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will put on two free family ice fishing program during the Erie Sport & Travel Expo at the Bayfront Convention Center.
The programs are scheduled for March 5 and March 6 from 1-4 p.m. Participants will learn about basic ice fishing skills including types of gear, knots, and bait. There also will be time for ice fishing on Presque Isle Bay for those completing the indoor classroom session.
No license will be required. All equipment will be provided. However, any participating adult must bring a child, and any child must have an adult present. Participants must be 8 or older. Plan to dress for the weather.
Preregistration is required, and space is limited to 40 people each day. To register, visit www.fishandboat.com, look for “Upcoming Events,” click on the March 5 or March 6 program and then on “Register for Program.” Complete the form and submit it.
Registration deadline is March 1. Each family that registers will receive an e-mail with specifics no later than that day. Present a printed copy of the e-mail at the expo entrance to gain entry to the ice fishing program.
For information, call Chad Foster at (814) 683-5126.
