Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 23

Pennsylvania," said Lefebre. "Various species will
be found in different zones of the bay at certain
depth ranges. Since a uniform freeze does not
take place on the bay, ice safety is a big concern."
Lefebre points out that Bluegills and crappies
stake claim to the weedy flats in less than 10 feet of
water, particularly in Misery Bay, Horseshoe Pond
and Head-of-the-Bay. "Bluegills will be near the
bottom, right in weeds and will feed throughout
the day. On the other hand, crappies bite best very
early and very late in the day. Crappies generally
suspend about 4 to 5 feet off the bottom, above the
weeds. They are also caught 1 or 2 feet under the
ice during low light situations."
A once thriving Northern Pike population
has fallen on hard times according to Lefebre.
"A decade ago, pike were a nuisance to anglers
targeting panfish on the weedy flats. But recently,
very few pike are caught, either during ice season
or during open water season."
Yellow Perch and smelt prefer the open water
beyond the deep weeds explains Lefebre. "Perch
hug the bottom at depths from 17 to 20 feet
and are a little more difficult to pinpoint than
Bluegills and crappies, because they move. Large schools
of perch position themselves somewhat in the center of
the bay, usually located closer to city side, because deeper
water comes closer to shore especially where the shipping
channel swings near docks.
"Occasionally you can catch a few big perch from grass
flats, but for the most part, if you want strictly perch, you
need to be fishing the gut of the bay. Keep in mind that the
center of the bay, particularly the eastern half, will be the last
area to acquire sufficient ice," said Lefebre.
Lefebre recalls that years ago Presque Isle Bay always
had sufficient ice by Christmas. In recent years, ice rarely
forms by then. Often, it will be mid-January or later before
anglers dare to walk onto the ice.
Just two years ago, there wasn't sufficient ice found
anywhere on the bay, but that didn't stop anglers,
particularly perch anglers. These guys spent the winter
fishing open water from several dock areas on city side
and along the shipping channel piers.
The channel piers and Dobbin's Landing dock are in
public ownership, so fishing has always been permitted.
Fortunately, during development of the waterfront some
years ago, arrangements were made with privately owned
marinas to grant access to shore-bound anglers at designated
areas. These sites are extremely popular during winters when
sufficient ice does not form on the bay.
Lefebre goes on to explain that the Misery Bay area will
be the first to freeze, followed closely by Head-of-the-Bay.
"These are the sites most protected from the prevailing
winds. Eventually, if the weather is cold enough, ice cover
will inch its way outward to freeze the center of the bay.
But, lake current pushing through the shipping channel
keeps ice from freezing evenly unless the winter weather
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

Presque Isle Bay

WARREN

This new style of ice
jig is designed to show
up nicely on sonar,
which makes it easier to
determine where your lure is
in relation to the fish.

(Left to right) Dave Lefebre, Barry Hohn and Jimmy Lunsford
fish for Bluegills in Misery Bay, Erie County.

is exceptionally cold for an extended time. You've got be
very sure of ice thickness before venturing out for perch
in the middle of the bay."
For the visiting ice anglers, the best advice is to follow
the most heavily used trails from parking areas onto bay
ice. You may find yourself in jeopardy if you strike out
into a fresh section without tracks.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2014

23
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014

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