Presque Isle Bay?

[bugman]

Looking for a report on Erie PA. presque Isle Bay conditions. Is there still any ice in the bay? Last year I fished the lagoons the 1st week of April but this year it seems to be much colder.

[bassnleo]

Hey man, the bay is ice free but obviously conditions haven't been too favorable. I do suspect that with these recent night time lows in the 20's and teens that a skim may have formed again on marina bay or maybe horeshoe, or even parts of the lagoons. There was the yearly shad die off this past week which usually signals the start of the bass bite but I have not spoken to anyone directly that has fished yet.

Last year, the second weekend in April, we were whacking the smallies on the main bay. I'll keep you updated as I hear any reports.

[Dwight Hottle]

East End Angler reported a guy fishing the stink hole caught a 6.36 lb smallie this week. Picture is posted on his site. Let the games begin! 

[bugman]

I knew I could count on an quick report from you guys. Good to hear from you Leo, it's been a long cold winter can't wait to get back on the water.

[bassnleo]

From the East End Angler website:

"One is a 6.36 lb smallmouth that was taken in the stink hole and the other is a short fish at 261/2" but weighted in at 10.66lbs."

In regards to the "short fish" I sure hope he is referring to a steelhead cause a 10.66 smallie would shatter the state record for smallmouth.

Dwight, did you look at the website pics? If he is referring to the 6.36 being the pic with the guy wearing a black ski cap, "Thank you for shopping here" in the pic background, I think that's a largemouth. I don't see any pics of an angler holding a smallmouth. Could he have the species wrong? The edge of the fish's jaw defiantely goes way back and beyond the eye, and the color of the fish, makes me say largie. Not saying a smallie wouldn't be there yet, or even be caught yet, but that is a largemouth IMHO.

And I have to add......it makes me shiver to think that fish was kept. The largemouth fishing on the bay just hasn't been what it was years ago. Catching them has been fairly easy but in terms of size, smaller fish have dominated. Heck, it was only taking 13-14 pounds of largemouth (for 6 fish) to win some team events there the past few Summers. It used to take well over 20 (least the ones I won or did well in).

A 6+ largie is there to spawn. Shame if it was wasn't released to improve the population.

[Dwight Hottle]

Bassnleo

Yes its the top two pictures. One is a bass & the other is a steelhead that went 261/2 " at 10.66 lbs. The bass is definately out of the gene pool, probably eaten for dinner.  He said smallie but the picture looks like a largemouth, big head & big eye but coloration at first glance looked funny. I'm guessing the first two pictures are the the most recently added. Talking about the largemouth population in transition have you heard about more largemouth being caught out in the lake? Mike Bleech who writes for the Erie Times did an arcticle about that last year.

[bassnleo]

Not only have I heard about the main lake largemouth, I've experienced it! I have a theory about the largemouth........

The weeds in the bay are crud now, most areas at least. They used to grow lush and green. Now much of the bay is that stringy stuff that supports nothing. That does puzzle me though, why aren't the bay weeds growing? In response, the largies have moved to more suitable habitat, the humps, rockpiles, and bait, that the main lake offers.

I had a spot in the bay, beautiful drop off that had thick, beautiful, milfoil on the break and down to 11 feet. I could easily whack 15+ pounds in 5 fish, even in my sleep! Since about 2006 not a stich of milfoil has grown there, just the shotty, stringy, stuff. The bass vacated that area.

I've caught 4+ pound largies right beside the smallies on the main lake. Interestingly, the largies seem to take on the football shape the smallies traditionally had, short and FAT!

That's my theroy and I'm sticking to it!

[S Hovanec]

Every largie I've ever caught in the main lake has been over 4#. My theory on the main lake largies is this: Tourney guys whack a quick limit in the bay, then when they get the bigger smallies in the lake, cull the largies. The largies stay there because of all the food available.

[Dwight Hottle]

Interesting topic on the largemouth in the lake proper. Without disclosing your spots aren't the largemouth in the lake in close proximity to PIB, thompson bay or one of the creeks, such as walnut, elk or one of the mile creeks?

[S Hovanec]

35fow off the cribs and the Dump also.

[bassnleo]

I've caught them close to the bay, and away from the bay. Like I mentioned, anywhere the smallies roam now also can hold largies.

One small spot I found last year had a 5 lb smallie and a 4 pound largie, on consecutive casts, in 27 fow.

[Dwight Hottle]

Checked the ice & dock conditions this afternoon. The ene winds have moved the ice blocking East Ave Ramp, Chestnut off the bayfront pkwy & walnut creek. With all the ice & no docks in anywhere but chestnut we will all be tapping our toes until we get some warmth. Ice is sitting from shore out a couple of miles off shore. I would say we are at least a week if not two weeks late compared to last year. :'(

[Zeeebassman 1]

Just can't take the fever anymore. New line on my reels, hooks sharpened, batteries on the boat all charged,wandering around the Tackle shops with a glazed look in my eyes.

[bassnleo]

Why are you wandering around the stores when you could go fishing? I have friends who have already caught bay fish this year.

I ventured to Pymatuning today, not for bass, but for dinner! Brought home 23 crappies, all over 10 inches.