Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2021 - 45

* The grounds, docks, or moored boats at private memberonly boat clubs on the lake.
* From two small private parcels of private land on the east
side, south end of the lake near former Lago Winery.
" Shoreline fishing is permitted in all other areas as long as
the angler has 'legal access', which means an angler cannot
cross private property to reach the lake without landowner
permission, " said Bickel. " However, you can access the
shoreline from public access points, as long as you do not cross
private property. "

Seasonal hotspots from shore

As ice cover is breaking up on the lake sometime in March,
Black Crappies and Yellow Perch make initial appearances in
select shallow areas, chiefly at the north end of the lake. Perch
are moving in to spawn, while crappies are simply there to feed.
Perch seem to be in every bay-soft bottom as well as
typical gravel spawning areas. In recent years, the Espyville
Marina docks have become a March magnet for perch. Docks
close to fishing April 1.
For crappies, the best areas are mud-bottom bays amid
remnants of last summer's pad-style vegetation. Shore fishing
sites to consider are Wilson Bay, Alcatraz Bay, Linesville Marina
Bay, Stewart's Bay, Spillway Bay, Bridge 20 area, and Tuttle
Island Bay on the north end; Campground Bay, northern
section of Ackerman Bay, and Mud Hole on the far south end.
The Walleye spawn kicks off with the first fish being caught
at the Linesville Spillway-usually around the end of March.
Early April produces crappies from submerged pad beds on the
Shortly thereafter, Walleyes show up on shallow gravel points,
southern end of the lake for shore anglers.
outwash bars at stream mouths, and swim beaches-first on
the north end and then the south end. Wading anglers use
Shoreline fishing success usually falls off by mid-summer.
long minnow plugs and 3-inch action tail jigs to catch Walleyes
However, fishing from the Espyville/Andover Causeway
during the late evening and night hours.
provides opportunities for catfish, crappies, perch, and
The Walleye spawn is over by early May. But, a second
White Bass during the hot days of summer. Also, fishing
nighttime Walleye bite kicks in during June when Alewives
piers at Linesville Marina and Espyville Marina offer panfish
move shallow at night to spawn and feed. Casting stick baits
opportunities through the summer.
and rattle baits over submerged weed beds is the deal into July.
Black Crappies return to the bank for spawning
from early May through mid-June. No longer
found on mud bottom, crappies are now spread
out around shallow cover in bays, coves, and
cuts protected from strong winds. Target stumps,
laydowns, and weed patches with minnow and
bobber or 1/16-ounce jigs.
Do you dream about landing a Muskellunge
from shore? April and May offer the best
opportunity while muskies are running the
shoreline during the spawning period. Every
spring, a few big muskies are caught on Fathead
Minnows fished by crappie anglers, so huge baits
are not a prerequisite. The better areas are the
points and swim beaches on the southernmost
section of the lake.
Going into June, Bluegills and bass set up for
early summer foraging within a casting distance of
shore in bays and coves. Go with a tiny micro jig
and bobber for Bluegills, and try a topwater plug for A popular bite detector used by Walleye and Muskellunge anglers along
the shore of Pymatuning Reservoir, Crawford County.
bass to avoid weed entanglement.
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