WCO Report and Photo for Erie County 06/21/2011: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: June 22, 2011

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Posted by DWCO Randy Leighton on June 22, 2011 at 22:13:15:

15 plus LBS. out of Walnut Creek

June 22nd, 2011

West Erie County

DWCO Randy Leighton, rglerie@msn.com

Conditions:
Lake conditions have been relatively calm at times over the last week and warm temperatures have finally arrived in Erie, at least for now. With the lake recently "turning over", surface temps had dropped ink down in the 50's however the warmer ambient temps in the forecasts should get things back to normal quickly. Fair to good conditions have sent anglers out on Lake Erie in large numbers especially this past weekend. Walleye catches have been very good with a number of limits brought in. Prime trolling areas have been in 25 to 45 feet of water west of Walnut Creek as far as the Ohio line with the "trolling lanes" a bit congested at times. The small "cookie" size dipseys or flat lines with crawler harnesses are bringing them in. Boards have been helpful on the calmer days. Bass fishing is still good to excellent throughout Presque Isle Bay and along the Lake shore east of the Bay in 25 to 30 feet of water. The long awaited perch schools are starting to form both off the point at Presque Isle in 40-42' of water and due north off of Walnut Creek. Long term forecasts indicate warm weather and little rain through the weekend laying the ground work for busy launch ramps all week. Current Lake Erie water temperature is 55 degrees.
Walnut Creek Access

Information: Boaters using the Walnut Creek Access are reminded that "camping" in the parking lot which includes sleeping overnight in ones boat or car is not permitted. Anglers wanting to sleep in their boats or vehicles are advised to use one of the many local campgrounds.

Launch Ramp Etiquette:
With the summer fishing and boating season already in full swing, area launch ramps can become extremely congested especially the Lampe Marina, Chestnut Street, and the Walnut Creek Access Area. If you are new to the launch ramps take some time in an empty lot to practice backing up until you are comfortable doing so. Many launch ramps have signs indicating which ramps are open for launching and which are open to retrieving such as those at the Walnut Access area launch. Be courteous and obey these signs to help ease congestion.

1) Be sure all required safety equipment and registration are on board. Load your food, fishing gear and other equipment at home and or in the parking lot but most definitely before you get to the ramp.

2) Ensure tongue is securely fastened to ball hitch, remove tie downs.

3) Check condition of battery, motor and angle of drive unit. Know that your boat will start before arriving at the ramps. Nothing is more frustrating then a boat with mechanical failure blocking a ramp. If you are unable to start your boat at the launch area, do not attempt to do repairs while blocking the ramp. Instead, remove the boat from the water as a courtesy to others.

4) Be sure boat plug(s) are firmly in place.

5) Move to the ramp and launch. Check drive unit prior to backing down ramp to be sure it will not bottom out and that the power trim is working properly if applicable. (Having a lookout or someone in the boat is helpful)

6) If possible, use two people to launch your boat - the driver and the boat tender.

7) Unhook bow safety restraint, power or pull off trailer. Be courteous and wait your turn. Unless you are alone, it really shouldn't be necessary to tie your boat to the launch docks.

8) Run blower, start boat, move to the docks for passenger pickup (courtesy dock). The courtesy docks at the Walnut Creek Access launch are at the South end of the basin. (If alone, secure boat quickly and move vehicle off ramp.) Be courteous, the less time you spend on the ramp or at the dock the more other boaters will appreciate you.

9) If you have an assistant, instruct the person tending the boat to move it far enough away from the ramp and adjacent dock that it doesn't impede other boaters launching or loading. Do not allow small children to act as "boat tenders".


10) Never block the ramp with an unattended vehicle or boat.

11) After the boat is on the trailer, secure the bow safety restraint, and move the vehicle and trailer to the tie down area so you don't impede traffic trying to launch or retrieve.

12) Carefully tie down your vehicle, check that your hitch is secure and lights are plugged in, remove all items that could blow out of boat during travel and move out of the tie-down area to make room for others.

Marine Weather Bulletins Reviewed:
Small Craft Advisory:
Generally associated with sustained winds 18 to 33 knots, or waves hazardous to small boats. These are not issued during the winter months along the Great Lakes.

Gale Warning:
Sustained winds 34 to 47 knots.
Storm Warning:
Sustained winds 48 knots or more.
Hurricane Warning:
Sustained winds 64 knots or more associated with a hurricane. Not likely for our area, but you never know here in Erie.
Special Marine Warning:
Winds of 35 knots or more lasting generally less than 2 hours. These are usually associated with an individual thunderstorm or an organized series of thunderstorms (squall line, cold front).

Respect the Heat: Although we have all welcomed the warm weather around the area, recent warm temperatures do carry caution alerts, especially for boaters exposed directly to the sun and heat during a long day on the water. These cautions apply especially to the young and the elderly. Knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and how to treat them can be valuable information a long way from shore

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening...then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Thursday...Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely...mainly in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds around 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Thursday Night...Thunderstorms likely in the evening. Showers likely. Lows in the lower 60s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Friday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Friday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening...then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Saturday...Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs around 70.

Saturday Night...Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.

Sunday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 70s.

Sunday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s.

Monday...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

Monday Night...Mostly clear. Lows around 60.

Tuesday...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s.





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