RE: Lock 3- Allegheny River
2009/06/29 10:41:17
(permalink)
The bait shop is right next to the dam (across river from lock).
For the boat launch, you will want to go about 2 miles south (towards Harmarville/Oakmont/Blawnox), pass the shopping area. Get in the left hand lane. Once you pass the intersection that gets you on to Rt.28 (Indianola Rd), there will be small road on the left (Wenzell). There is a PAFBC sign (not sure if visible from Freeport Rd or not), and a parking lot for the launch.
I have never launched here, but have fished it a good bit. There is an island right out from the launch with houses on it, that you need a boat to get to. Right north of the launch is the mouth of Deer Creek, which has a good bit of a sand bar to be aware of. It is usually under water, so stick a good bit out from there. This side of the island is not the commercial dredged side, so may have some other obsticals to deal with. I wouldn't go WOT, until you get to the other side. It's not a far run to the dam from there.
I haven't fished there recently, but normally at this time of year, the evenings are best. Possibly mornings too. I usually wade fish the area, so would typically use lead head jigs with curly tails/sassy shad, shallow diving stick baits or minnows. I don't think the gizzard shad have made their way there, but if they are thick, getting a bunch of them for bait is always good, or at least shows what the forage is... There are fish all through that area. If they are deep, you'll have that option, and if they are hanging out on the flats, you have that option. There is even a pond like inlet in the one island. There are a lot of snags, but it's a river, so that is a given!