|
May 26th, 2010 West Erie County, DWCO Randy Leighton, rglerie@msn.com Conditions: Lake conditions have been generally good over the last week giving anglers ample opportunity to hit the deep water. Both perch and bass are hitting well with good numbers and size. Bass fishing has been fair to very good and the perch fishing has been spectacular. As is often this early in the season, perch have been found on 35 to 45 feet of water. Mild to warm temperatures are predicted over the next week or so. As the lake temperature warms, the large schools should begin to form. For now, moving around if they are not hitting can be helpful. Some walleye are being caught near shore by boat west of Walnut Creek as far as the Ohio line. Current Lake Erie water temperature is 57 degrees. Loran C Termination Information: Loran C and GPS navigation are commonly used on Lake Erie for navigation. A number of inquiries have come in regarding the inability to receive Loran C communication and tracking on Lake Erie. For those not already aware, the following information from the United States Department of Homeland Security Navigation Center may be helpful. In accordance with the 2010 DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S. Coast Guard terminated the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals on 08 Feb 2010. This termination does not affect U.S. participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S. participation in these chains will continue temporarily in accordance with international agreements. You may read more and download pertinent documents using the links below. LORAN-C was originally developed to provide radio navigation service for U.S. coastal waters & was later expanded to include complete coverage of the continental U.S. as well as most of Alaska. Twenty-four U.S. LORAN-C stations work in partnership with Canadian and Russian stations to provide coverage in Canadian waters and in the Bering Sea. They system provides better than 0.25 nautical mile absolute accuracy for suitably equipped users within the published areas. and provides navigation, location, and timing services for both civil and military air, land and marine users. It is approved as an en route supplemental air navigation system for both Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) and Visual Flight Rule (VFR) operations. The LORAN-C system serves the 48 continental states, their coastal areas, and parts of Alaska. Dedicated Coast Guard men and women have done an excellent job running and maintaining the LORAN-C signal for 52 years. It is a service and mission of which the entire Coast Guard can be proud. The Coast Guard published a Federal Register notice on Jan. 7, 2010, regarding its intention to terminate transmission of the LORAN-C signal Feb. 8, 2010. A LORAN Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision stating that the environmentally preferred alternative is to decommission the LORAN-C Program and terminate the North American LORAN-C signal was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 7, 2010. The Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 allowed for termination of the LORAN-C signal on January 4, 2010, after certification from the Commandant of the Coast Guard that it was not needed for maritime navigation and from the Secretary of DHS that it is not needed as a backup for GPS. Full details are contained in Section 559 of this act which can be found at the Government Printing Office website (clicking on the link will open a new window). You may view the estimated remaining LORAN-C signal coverage areas of these international chains in Appendix B, pages B-6 through B-9 of the Specification of the LORAN-C Transmitted Signal, COMDTINST M16562.4A. The entire Specification may be downloaded also. The Coast Guard strongly urges mariners currently using LORAN-C for navigation to shift to a GPS navigation system and become familiar with its operation as soon as possible. Mariners will not be able to rely upon LORAN-C for navigation as of Feb. 8, 2010. LORAN-C has, as a result of technological advancements in the last 20 years, became an antiquated system no longer required by the armed forces, the transportation sector or the nations security interests and is used only by a small percentage of the population. The Coast Guard understands that LORAN-C is still used by a small segment of the public and that those users will have to shift to GPS or other systems; however, continued use of limited resources to operate LORAN-C is no longer prudent use of taxpayer funds and is not allowed under the 2010 DHS Appropriation Act. The Coast Guard has enjoyed a long and close relationship with the many communities located near LORAN-C facilities and we value those relationships. The Coast Guard will continue to honor those relationships by working to minimize any adverse impacts to communities caused by site closures. The decision to cease transmission of the LORAN-C signal reflects the presidents pledge to eliminate unnecessary federal programs. As always, a reminder that alcohol and boating can be a bad combination. Fines and penalties can be stiff for those boating under the influence. not to mention the danger to yourself and the lives of those around you. The penalties for operation of a water craft while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance could lead to a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $7,500, or imprisonment not exceeding two years, or both, plus the loss of boating privileges for a period of 12 months. Homicide by water craft while under the influence carries a fine of not less than $2,500 nor exceeding $15,000, or imprisonment of no less than three and no more than seven years, or both. In addition to the offenses described above, operating a water craft under the influence may also violate other laws. These may include prohibitions against reckless or negligent operation of boats, public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and underage drinking. Its simply just not worth taking the risk. Refresher on Boating The Erie Area: Through the Erie Harbor Entrance between the North Pierhead Light (foghorn) and Inter Range Tower. In the area adjacent to the Dobbins Landing (previously called the Erie Public Dock), extending from the Erie Sand and Gravel Company on the West to the Continental Grain Company piers on the East end. The restricted area will include the Canal Basin and extend northward to the harbor line (In short, the channel connecting Presque Isle to Lake Erie). Within the boundaries of Presque Isle State Park, including the waters of Marina and Misery Bays and the waters along the bay and lake shore for a distance of 500 feet from the shore. Water skiing, other than for the purpose of take off or approach, is prohibited within 500 feet of the shoreline of Presque Isle peninsula. The anchoring of watercraft in the entrance channel to Horseshoe Pond, Fox Pond, Marina Bay, the Lagoons or the bridge at Misery Bay in a manner that interferes with the public use of these areas or in a manner which creates a hazard to other water craft is prohibited. The mooring of boats to any dock, wharf, pier, ship or boat launching facility in a manner that interferes with public use or creates a hazard to other water craft is prohibited. Boats are prohibited within 100 feet of designated swimming beaches at Personae Isle State Park. The internal lagoons from Personae Isle Canoe Rental area at the West end of the Long Pond through the northern entrance of Graveyard Pond shall be limited non powered water craft and electric motors only. Maps of the area can be found at most area bait shops and on many on line sites. Second Fish for Free Day Coming Up: Copies of the Anglers Summary booklet can obtained at most area bait and tackle shops and at the Walnut Creek Access office free of charge. The Erie area offers a bonanza of fishing opportunities for the new angler. Plenty of shore fishing is available to new anglers along the Bay Front Highway on Presque Isle Bay as well as much of the shore line at Presque Isle State Park. Fish for fee days are the opportunity for the inexperienced angler to try his luck as well as a great opportunity to introduce a friend to fishing. Click here for more information. This is also a great opportunity to get that spouse involved as well. Local Weather: Wednesday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s. North winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming west after midnight. Thursday...Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. West winds around 5 mph... Becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of rain 30 percent. Thursday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows around 60. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent. Friday...Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Chance of rain 30 percent. Friday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Saturday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s. Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s. Sunday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Memorial Day...Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 30 percent. Monday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s. Chance of rain 30 percent. Tuesday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 30 percent.
|
(71.116.38.30)