Lake Erie Fishing Access Areas
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Lake Erie Erie Access WHAT IS AN EASEMENT? LANDOWNER RIGHTS AND PROTECTION Lake Erie is Pennsylvania’s most unique waterway, not A public fishing easement is a voluntary and Entering into a public fishing easement preserves only because of its size, but because of the abundance Improvement Program permanent legal contract between the current and The Erie Access Improvement Program was made landowner rights and provides additional benefits. of gamefish. Anglers catch an average of 1.5 million fish future landowner of the property and PFBC. A public possible by Act 159 of 2004, which created a new Lake Landowners may still use the property for farming, each year in the lake, Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie fishing easement allows the public to access the Erie stamp/permit (required for anglers fishing in the grazing, water supply, fishing and other activities. tributaries. property in perpetuity for the purpose of fishing. The Lake Erie watershed) and a Combination Lake Erie Trout/ Landowners retain the right to have anyone acting size and shape of the easement varies but generally Salmon stamp. The Act provides that the proceeds from unlawfully removed from the property. The PFBC will mark encompasses 35 feet of land from the stream’s edge on the sale of Lake Erie permits are to be deposited into a the boundaries of the easement corridor with signs that either side of the stream. If the course of the stream remind anglers to respect the landowner’s rights and not L a k restricted account to “be used to provide public fishing e CANADA NEW changes over time, the easement corridor will move with to trespass outside of the easement corridor boundary. H access on or at Lake Erie and the watersheds of Lake u n r YORK the stream as long as it remains within the boundaries PFBC Waterways Conservation Officers will conduct a o o a r i Erie.” With these dedicated funds, the Commission n nt g Lake O of the property. Easements put an encumbrance on the i developed the Erie Access Improvement Program to periodic patrols through these areas and will respond h c property title that stays on the land even if it is sold to landowner complaints regarding illegal fishing on i ensure that anglers in the Erie watershed have perpetual M or deeded to an heir. Easements under this program easements. MICHIGAN and high quality access to fishing opportunities. e e ri provide only fishing access. The landowner continues to Did you know that Pennsylvania has k E Government entities and other nonprofit, sporting LANDOWNERS: a Walnut Creek ke L own and control the land. La and conservation organizations may identify acquisition legislation protecting landowners who hold their lands and waters open for free public recreational use? PFBC PENNSYLVANIA and development needs in the Erie watershed and BENEFITS FOR ALL request Commission funding through the Erie Access has posted an information paper with more details on OHIO Improvement Program to assist in addressing these this Act on its website at www.fishandboat.com (type The development of public fishing easements is needs. Eligible projects include acquisition of lands and “Recreation Use of Land and Water” in the search area). beneficial for landowners and anglers. By acquiring property rights, and/or development of lands to improve Crooked Creek and documenting public fishing easements, PFBC is and/or maintain angler access. A major component better able to direct anglers to areas open for fishing, of this program is to work with willing landowners to which may help to spread out the fishing pressure. Elk Creek LANDOWNER RELATIONS Public fishing easements ensure good fishing for To many anglers, Erie fishing means steelhead, and develop public fishing easements that allow fishing everyone through the continuation of formal fisheries for good reason, as the lake and its tributaries provide a access in exchange for fair compensation. The number one reason landowners post their property management. This cooperative approach to access world-class steelhead fishery. But, great fishing doesn’t against public access is in response to poor behavior such Twentymile Creek ensures that generations of residents and visitors are stop there; Lake Erie also has excellent populations of as littering, building open fires, trampling farm fields able to reap the economic and recreational benefits of a Yellow Perch, Walleyes, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Presque or landscaping and blocking driveways and access roads Isle Harborcreek long-term, high quality fishery. Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegills, Channel Catfish, Lake Erie US 20 on private property. Preserving public access to private Wesleyville Bowfin, crappies, sunfish, bullhead and carp. And let’s 430 Colt Station lands is a simple matter, but one that requires us all to not forget that a lake this size allows for a variety of Erie 89 take action to police ourselves. Regardless of whether INTERSTATE 90 boating opportunities as well. So what are you waiting INTERSTATE 8 a public fishing easement is on a property, visitors on 79 832 Swanville for? Start exploring this GREAT Lake. Avonia private lands must remember to act like a guest. Respect US 20 US 19 97 Lowville Girard The steelhead fishery in Lake Erie and its tributaries Fairview the landowners rights and all postings, park only in 5 INTERSTATE 90 McKean has become a popular destination for anglers. Nearly INTERSTATE 8 designated areas, access the property only at designated a quarter-million steelhead fishing trips are made 79 Waterford areas, and stay within the marked boundaries of the here every year. These trips generate more than 18 98 97 fishing area and the stream. In addition, please be a US 19 215 99 $9.5 million in economic activity for the community. Lavery caretaker of the stream and remove any trash that you Albion US 6N Union City One challenge in keeping this good thing going Mill Village may find. Following these guidelines will help to ensure 18 Edinboro is addressing the increased demands on public INTERSTATE 8 that private properties remain open and available to the 79 and private lands. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Cambridge Springs public and provide high quality fishing experiences for Commission (PFBC) has taken the lead by developing 86 198 Conneautville generations to come. 408 US 6 the Erie Access Improvement Program. Saegertown 77 198 HOW TO RELEASE FISH: CATCH AND RELEASE MEET THE TROUT FAMILY Aquatic Invasive Species WHO MUST WEAR A LIFE JACKET? Some waters are managed strictly as “Catch and Release” l All water skiers and anyone towed behind vessels, Brook Trout Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) may be microscopic and Lake Erie personal watercraft operators and passengers and waters. Every angler should expect and be prepared to Pennsylvania’s can be plants or animals. AIS have the potential to cause release some portion of his catch. Minimum size limits State Fish significant economic and ecologic harm to our waterways by sailboarders (windsurfers). Inflatable life jackets are not require that fish less than the minimum must be released. competing with native and game species for space and food. acceptable for these activities. Anglers, boaters, swimmers and others who contact this Fishing Access l Children 12 years of age and younger on Creel limits require that fish caught in excess of the limit water can unknowingly spread AIS. must be released. Closed seasons require the release of Brown Trout • Do not move or release animals or plants to other waterways. Commonwealth waters when underway in any boat 20 Experience this • Dispose of unwanted fishing bait in the trash. feet or less in length and in all canoes and kayaks. fish species caught during a season when keeping them l On Pittsburgh District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Areas Trophy Fishery is not permitted. Just as important, catch and release has lakes (only), everyone in boats less than 16 feet in become a popular and preferred method of angling. The Erie waters are among the best trophy fisheries in the Clean Your Gear! length and in all canoes and kayaks. idea for both voluntary catch and release and catch and Rainbow Trout Before leaving this waterway, check for and remove any aquatic life world and include dozens of tributaries, Presque Isle Bay (plants and animals), mud and other organic debris. l From November 1 through April 30, boaters are and miles of public access. Locals know, the best times release required by regulations is that the fish survive to required by law to wear life jackets on boats less than 16 to fish for steelhead are fall, winter and early spring. grow larger, and perhaps reproduce, and perhaps then can Use the following AIS Small Gear feet in length or any canoe or kayak. be caught again. The number of fish that survive depends disinfection methods • For a minimum of 20 minutes, soak gear The streams that flow into Lake Erie in Pennsylvania Golden Rainbow before using your gear in hot water (120°-140° F) (may damage Life jackets should be personalized, properly on several factors, including the length of the fight, where Gor-tex®) containing 1 cup of regular dish provide a series of unique seasonal fisheries. One of Trout or equipment at a new detergent per gallon of water OR freeze fitted and tested. Everyone should know how to the fish is hooked, water temperature and how the fish is waterway: gear for at least 8 hours. the most successful is the trout and salmon program. • After cleaning or freezing, allow gear to use them. Always wear your life jacket. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission has been handled and released. Check these areas dry for a minimum of 48 hours before To give fish released the best chance for survival, follow next use.