As of November 27th, the Lake Erie
water temperature (degrees F) off Toledo
was 38 degrees, off Cleveland was 44 degrees, off Erie was 42 degrees
and off Buffalo was 43 degrees.
News Around the Lake Erie Region
2017 Lake
Erie Steelhead Stocking
The primary stocking strain
of steelhead in Lake Erie for New York is the hatchery, fall/winter running
Chambers Creek/Washington State strain (7% of the total steelhead stocked). Pennsylvania Lake Erie strain (55%) which is a fall/winter runner that has been described as
a “mutt” due to its Chambers Creek, Skamania and domesticated rainbow
background. Ohio Michigan Ohio Ontario
Average mean length of yearling steelhead stocked byLake
Erie stocking agencies in
2017 was 180 mm. MI averaged 194 mm, PA averaged 190 mm, OH averaged 194 mm and
NY had the smallest size at 113 mm.
Average mean length of yearling steelhead stocked by
Click on the following link
for a Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC) video on steelhead
smolt stocking:
Notes: The New State
Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) tagged and marked a number of
steelhead smolts using a combination of fin clips and coded-wire tags in 2015
and 2016. No steelhead were marked or tagged in 2017. The NYSDEC steelhead
stocking in 2017 was above the stocking target due to a surplus of fish in the
NYSDEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery. Specifically, 203,000 surplus fall
fingerling steelhead were stocked into Cattaraugus Creek (which is the second
year in a row surplus steelhead were stocked in the Cat). These fingerlings are
a summer run strain originating from the Washougal River Washington State
Also, due to Michigan
Little Manistee egg source limitations,
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife (ODW) stocked
both Wisconsin DNR Chambers Creek and Ganaraska strain steelhead into Ohio Wisconsin steelhead rivers of Lake Michigan ) run very similar to Michigan Little
Manistee (late winter/early spring) and have similar return sizes.
The DOW also stocked the Ashtabula River Ohio Ashtabula River
Kayle also stated that, due to lack of public access above the Hadlock Ford (which is posted to fishing) on the Ashtabula, no plans are in the works to facilitate steelhead movement past the ford. If a "notch" was configured into the ford for steelhead movement, Kayle says that it would compromise the lamprey blocking ability of the ford.
Kayle also stated that, due to lack of public access above the Hadlock Ford (which is posted to fishing) on the Ashtabula, no plans are in the works to facilitate steelhead movement past the ford. If a "notch" was configured into the ford for steelhead movement, Kayle says that it would compromise the lamprey blocking ability of the ford.
2017 Lake
Erie Brown Trout Stocking
(Note: The PF&BC has now
developed a captive brood egg source of IPN
disease-free brown trout eggs for its brown trout stocking program. It
is no longer dependent on an annual donation of brown trout eggs from the
NYSDEC which, as stated above, has terminated its Lake Erie brown trout program in 2018).
For 2017 Lake Erie
steelhead/brown trout stocking by specific tributary locations (by
state/province) please go to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission/2017 Lake Erie
Coldwater Task Group Report (pages 50-51):
Mass Steelhead Marking
The 2018 Lake Erie Coldwater Task Group (CWTG), which
reports to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC), has announced that it is
committed to developing a lake-wide, inter-agency, mass steelhead marking
program for juvenile steelhead prior to stocking. The Lake Erie
fishery agencies include the states of MI, OH, PA, NY and the Province
of Ontario
The inter-agency goals of the clipping/tagging program
include understanding steelhead population dynamics, including total abundance,
wild recruitment, survival, natural and fishing mortality, growth, maturation
and life history. Also, data obtained from the marking program could help fine
tune each agency fishery by increasing juvenile survival, reduce straying,
boost adult returns and expand the time span of spawning runs for specific
steelhead tributary streams.
Based on current lake-wide yearly steelhead smolt stocking
objectives (1.875 million), the Lake Erie CWTG estimates it would cost
approximately $218,700 ($0.117/fish) to clip/tag all steelhead stocked in Lake
Erie on an annual basis.
Asian Carp
In July and August of 2018, the US House of Representatives
and the US Senate respectively have approved funding the Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative (GLRI) in 2019 with $300 million (which had been the
annual funding in the past). The Trump administration had proposed a massive
funding cut to the GLRI in 2019, down to an amazingly low $30 million.
The purpose of the GLRI program (which was launched in
2010), is to protect and restore the Great Lakes fresh water system by fighting
threats such as loss of fish/wildlife habitat, harmful algae blooms and
invasive species such as Asian Carp.
An initial plan to stop the migration of Asian Carp into the
Great Lakes was released by the US Army Corps. of
Engineers (USACE) in July 2017. The $275 million plan recommends a new electric
barrier and underwater noise generation speakers to prevent carp movement
through the lock and dam in the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) at Brandon
Road in Joliet , IL Brandon Road
is considered an ideal “bottle neck” for making defenses against Asian Carp
migration in the Great Lakes .
The USACE will have its final plan to stop Asian Carp
migration at Brandon Road
sometime in 2019 with actual construction work starting not until 2025. With
the clock ticking (and Asian Carp literally at the door of the Great Lakes), US
Senator Rob Portman (R., OH) has inserted a provision in the America’s Water
Infrastructure Act of 2018 to speed up the USACE report for Brandon Road by
February 2019.
Hopefully, future US
Congressional/Senatorial pressure will also expedite construction for the
critically needed Asian Carp defenses at Brandon Road .
(Please review past John Nagy Steelhead Report and News articles in right menu
bar for more background information on Asian Carp migration into the Great
Lakes ).
Sea Lampreys
2017 wounding rates on lake trout by the NYSDEC (the
traditional measure of estimated sea lamprey populations in Lake Erie), and
lake wide estimates of adult sea lamprey populations, still indicate the
continuing presence of a large sea lamprey population in Lake Erie (which is
above acceptable target levels). PF&BC and NYSDEC surveys in Godfrey Run,
PA and Chautauqua Creek , NY
Sea lampreys can have a negative effect, not only on
steelhead, but other Lake Erie fish species such as lake
trout, whitefish, chub, and herring. The NYSDEC Open Lake Sport Fishing Survey
has documented sea lamprey wounds on smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch and
northern pike as well. A parasitic phase
sea lamprey can destroy up to 40 lbs. of fish during its lifetime.
Many steelheaders have reported the steelhead runs down in
recent years in the “steelhead alley” portion of Lake Erie
(Ohio , Pennsylvania
and New York ). Several factors
may be contributing to this with the high sea lamprey population at the top of
the list (although catch rates reported in angler diaries from 2010-2015 showed
respectable average catch rates of .35 steelhead/hour).
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) and its control
agents including the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&WS) and
the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DF&OC) continue to apply the
Integrated Management of Sea Lamprey (IMSL) program in Lake Erie .
The program annually assesses sea lamprey populations, maintains and monitors
existing river barriers (including lamprey traps) in the Lake Erie
watershed, reviews new river barrier projects in the Lake Erie
watershed (see Harpersfield and Springville Dam barrier projects below),
selects streams for lampricide treatment and implements alternative sea lamprey
control methods.
The Grand River was treated with
lampricide (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM)) by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service in 2017, and Conneaut Creek (OH), Huron River (OH) and Silver
Creek (ON) are scheduled for treatment in 2018.
The GLFC has found in recent years (based on larval
assessments conducted from 2011-2014) that the largest source of sea lamprey
production in Lake Erie is more than likely from Lake St Clair and the St Clair
River versus the traditionally tracked and treated Lake Erie tributary streams.
Since the St Clair system is so expansive, traditional stream lampricide
treatments are unlikely to be effective. Other treatment methods, such as the
sterile male program or pheromone treatments, are being considered as
alternative treatment options.
Steelheader's should be aware that leaf-drop will be late this year, so be prepared for leaf clutter in tributary flows later than usual (early to mid November).
Cattaraugus Creek, NY has been running high this fall, but Steelheader's can still find more fishable conditions by hitting the tribs of the Cat (South Branch and Clear Creek) when the Cat is high and stained. Canadaway and 18 Mile Creeks are other options.
The Norfolk Rail Road Trestle Project over the Grand River, OH (above Route 84) seems to be deterring (to some extent) steelhead movement through the work area (see below). Construction crews have installed pipes at the temporary causeway road (over the Grand/below the new trestle construction) for water flow/fish passage. There are plenty of steelhead, though, from Beaty's Landing (below Rt. 84) downstream towards Painesville, OH.
Steelheader's Insider Tips
Steelheader's should be aware that leaf-drop will be late this year, so be prepared for leaf clutter in tributary flows later than usual (early to mid November).
Cattaraugus Creek, NY has been running high this fall, but Steelheader's can still find more fishable conditions by hitting the tribs of the Cat (South Branch and Clear Creek) when the Cat is high and stained. Canadaway and 18 Mile Creeks are other options.
The Norfolk Rail Road Trestle Project over the Grand River, OH (above Route 84) seems to be deterring (to some extent) steelhead movement through the work area (see below). Construction crews have installed pipes at the temporary causeway road (over the Grand/below the new trestle construction) for water flow/fish passage. There are plenty of steelhead, though, from Beaty's Landing (below Rt. 84) downstream towards Painesville, OH.
Arcola Creek
The USACE is doing a
feasibility study on aquatic ecosystem restoration of Arcola Creek near Madison , OH
Harpersfield Dam
Lamprey Barrier Project
In 2018, work continued on the Harpersfield Dam Lamprey
Barrier Project on the Grand River , OH by the United
States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) including a review of the Project
Partnership Agreement (PPA) and the barrier design. Priorities for the design
include an 18 inch drop between dam crest height and dam tail water elevations.
Also, water flow velocities high enough to prevent sea lamprey passage during
flooding events.
The USACE also awarded 4.3 million dollars to the
construction vendor. Construction of the barrier is targeted to begin in the
fall of 2018 with completion in 2019.
For a video explanations of the project by the USACE click on
the links:
(See past John Nagy's 2015 Fall Steelhead Report and News in the right menu bar
for more background information on this project).
The railroad is continuing work in the construction of a new $21 million Norfolk railroad trestle on the Grand River (just south of Rt. 84). A temporary causeway road (across the river) was built to aid in the construction of the trestle.
Steelheader's should be aware of restrictions in the area including no fishing/access 100 feet above (upstream) the Rt. 84 bridge and no fishing/access 1/8 mile below (downstream) Helen Hazen Wyman Metro Park. These restrictions also prohibit watercraft floating through this area during construction. Work is expected to be finished by the end of the year. See John Nagy's 2018 Spring Steelhead Report and News for more background information on this project.
Grand River Railroad Trestle Project
The railroad is continuing work in the construction of a new $21 million Norfolk railroad trestle on the Grand River (just south of Rt. 84). A temporary causeway road (across the river) was built to aid in the construction of the trestle.
Steelheader's should be aware of restrictions in the area including no fishing/access 100 feet above (upstream) the Rt. 84 bridge and no fishing/access 1/8 mile below (downstream) Helen Hazen Wyman Metro Park. These restrictions also prohibit watercraft floating through this area during construction. Work is expected to be finished by the end of the year. See John Nagy's 2018 Spring Steelhead Report and News for more background information on this project.
New Public Fishing
Access
According to Scott Bollinger (Statewide Public Access
Program Manager for the PF&BC), the PF&BC’s Lake Erie Access
Improvement Program (LEAIP) is very strong right now. With 4 million dollars in
the account (which came from Lake Erie Fishing Permit sales) they are actively
pursuing a number of acquisitions and easements using this funding.
Bollinger says that in addition to acquiring public access,
LEAIP funding is also used for constructing public parking areas, installing
signage, boating access and riparian and fishery management.
The following are a list of projects that have been approved
by the PF&BC so far in 2018.
Note: It usually takes 6-12 months after PF&BC approval (and final closing with landowner) for LEAIP easements/properties to become open to the public. Once the project is formally closed, the PF&BC will mark the easements/property boundaries, with parking areas installed later. Bollinger relays that several of the easements/properties will be closed on this winter (2018).
Note: It usually takes 6-12 months after PF&BC approval (and final closing with landowner) for LEAIP easements/properties to become open to the public. Once the project is formally closed, the PF&BC will mark the easements/property boundaries, with parking areas installed later. Bollinger relays that several of the easements/properties will be closed on this winter (2018).
-Conneaut Creek (Spring Twsp, Crawford County), 3,960 linear
feet/35 feet from stream bank, off Fisher Road north of Conneautville, PA/
$50,000 easement.
-Elk Creek (Girard Twsp, Erie County), 6,325 linear
feet/182.1 acres, south of Interstate 90 off of Beckman Road/$911,000 property
acquisition (the PA DCNR pays $450,057 and the PF&BC LEAIP paying the
balance of $460,943 with the PF&BC retaining property ownership).
-Crooked Creek (Erie
County Happy Valley Road
and Lucas Road /$176,500
property acquisition.
-Elk Creek (Erie County Luther
Road downstream of Route 98 Bridge/$11,500
easement.
-Conneaut Creek (West Springfield Twsp, Erie County), 1,165
linear feet of frontage/8 acres, off Griffey Road near West Springfield,
PA/$24,500 easement.
-Seven Mile Creek (Harbor Creek Twsp, Erie County), 4,960
linear feet of frontage/35 feet from stream bank, off Route 5 east of Lawrence
Park, PA/$105,000 easement.
-Conneaut Creek (Spring Twsp, Crawford County), 2,170 linear
feet of frontage/35 feet from stream bank, located off Tower Road immediately
downstream of an existing public fishing easement/$30,000 easement.
-Elk Creek (Fairview Twsp, Erie County), 250 linear feet of
frontage/35 feet from stream bank, located off of Luther Road across from
Folly’s End Campground/$3,750 easement.
-Elk Creek (McKean Twsp, Erie County), 1,900 linear feet/35
feet from stream bank, located off of West Road immediately downstream of the
PF&BC’s Rick Road Access/$26,000 easement.
For a detailed interactive on-line map by the PF & BC of Lake Erie fishing access in Pennsylvania (including LEAIP land purchases and easements) please go to:
http://pfbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=30d3c4cdaae74096b565da19cbc061d3
Twenty Mile Creek Handicap Fishing Access
The PF&BC and North East Township, PA will collaborate on a handicapped accessible fishing pier near the mouth of Twenty Mile Creek. The project will also include paving part of the parking lot at the North East Conservation Park and a handicapped accessible walkway from the lot to the fishing pier. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2018.
Pennsylvania Lake Erie Cooperative Angler Logbook Program (LECAL)
The PF&BC has an ongoing voluntary annual logbook survey to collect quantitative data from the steelhead and brown trout fisheries in the tributary waters of Pennsylvania. The data collected will include fishing effort (time fished) date(s) fished, numbers of steelhead and brown trout caught, location(s) fished, size of fishing party. Anglers will also be able to record optional data including fishing conditions, bait/lure used, and notes describing fish caught, etc. for their own personal angler diary.
This data enable will be used to compute catch rates, track returns of the fishery over time and evaluate the efficacy of recent changes to steelhead rearing and stocking. LECAL data collected so far has enabled the PF&BC to estimate the catch per hour of steelhead for the prior four seasons (0.329, 0.468, 0.325, 0.336, and 0.607 fish per hour for the 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, and 2017/2018 seasons, respectively).
The PF&BC is seeking data from anglers of all skill levels, including anglers who make many fishing trips and those that only make one or two trips. This helps to lessen the avidity (i.e. skill) bias inherent in fishery estimates derived from voluntary surveys. Participants are asked to record data from each fishing trip as soon as possible after their trip has ended to minimize recall error (i.e. errors in recollection that may increase with time), and to include data for unsuccessful trips (zeroes count too!). This survey requires very little time and effort to complete.
Anglers will be provided with a logbook and a stamped, addressed return envelope along with simple, clear instructions. Once all logbooks have been received and all data entered and processed, logbooks will be returned along with a report of each angler’s catch statistics and those of all other participating anglers (participating anglers’ data will remain anonymous). And periodically, when available, will include commission patches along with logbooks as a reward for participation.
The PF&BC hopes anglers will consider participating in this survey, and by doing so, contribute valuable data which will help to improve the Pennsylvania steelhead and brown trout fishery. If you are interested in participating in this survey, please send via email your name, mailing address, and phone number (optional). If you do not have an email account, you can also call the PF&BC.
The contact information for LECAL is:
Michael Hosack, Fisheries Biologist
PA Fish and Boat Commission
Lake Erie Research Unit
7895 West Lake Road
Fairview, PA 16417
814-474-1515
mhosack@pa.gov
Springville Dam
The Springville Dam Ecosystem
Restoration Project on Cattaraugus
Creek , NY Erie County , NY
The selected plan for the
project will lower the existing spillway from 38 to 13.5 feet to serve as a sea
lamprey barrier. A 15 foot wide rock riffle ramp with seasonal lamprey
trapping/sorting capability is included in the design. Requests from the
National Historic Registry will be fulfilled by preserving a portion of the
original spillway on both banks to show the original structure.
In the meantime, James
Markham, Senior Aquatic Biologist with the NYSDEC, has relayed that a new
research project in some of the major tributaries of Cattaraugus Creek
(upstream of the dam) has begun in order to determine possible impacts to the
local fish community once the steelhead pass over the dam. The research project
will include pre-fish data (collected prior to fish passage over the dam) and
regular collection intervals (every 2-3 years) after fish passage over the dam.
On a side note, Markham
reports that New York Lake Erie open lake anglers have seen a big increase in
steelhead catches the first couple weeks of September which bodes well for the
upcoming tributary steelhead fishing season.
See past John Nagy Fall
Steelhead Report and News for background information on this project.
Silver Creek
According James Markham of
the NYSDEC, the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District (CCSWCD)
is working on removing an old dam (including stream restoration) on Silver
Creek at Smith Mills, NY. Construction for the project is projected to be in
2019 sometime (presently a hydraulic study is being done by a consultant and
then it will go for NYDEC permitting review this winter).
Much of the fishery data and information
for this 2018 Fall Steelhead Report was referenced from the 2018 Great Lakes
Fishery Commission/Lake Erie Coldwater Task Group Report, the 2018 NYDEC
Lake Erie Annual Report and the United States Army Corps of Engineers
More detailed information on fly fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead can be found in John Nagy's classic book "Steelhead Guide, Fly Fishing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead." (Now available in an eBook version!). His new "Steelheader's Journal" makes a great companion book to the Steelhead Guide. Both books (including eBook) are available by going to the right menu bar for ordering information.
