Lake Wilhelm Shad Problems ??

They should have biologists reports available along with stocking numbers. I heard the walleye fishing was improving, if that helps. The more apex predators less shad...

It really depends on what you're fishing for.  I still find it to be the best bass lake in the area.  while numbers have been down significantly the past few years, the size of the average bass I caught was awesome.  This year, it's been a mix of smaller fish with the bigger ones and overall catch numbers have been way up, which tells me the lake is recovering.  As stated, the walleye fishing has improved from what I hear.  Its really the pan fish that has taken the biggest hit.  Hope this helps. 

Steve, Wilhelm is practically in my backyard and I've fished that lake for many years.  In her beginning she produced some of the finest hammer handle sized Northern by the dozens.  In the 70s & 80s some bragging size bass were (5lb +) caught along with Musky, Walleye, Crappie, Gills and now, sizable Northern.  As time passed, the walleye became fewer and fewer as did the Crappie and Northern and so did the vegetation.  Places where weeds were so heavy you could practically walk over them became barren of any growth and this continues to be the case.  Bass however, continued to thrive making 5 lbs common, and 8 to 10 pounders being taken often enough that the news of such catches, just wasn't as exciting anymore.  I find it amazing; the amount of Walleyes stocked from year 2000 to 2014 vs the amount of Bass stocked over the same time period. All these fry and fingerlings stocked and the walleye fishing nowhere what it was pre 90s and before trophy Bass lake projects. (http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/WWCWStockingDetailsHistorical_RFP.aspx)
 
Anyway, I did notice last year, there seemed to be far less of the Shad appearing in Wilhelm.  Don't know, maybe that's wishful thinking or, maybe I just wasn't there at the right times.  But I do know, as in the past, there was not the weed growth as once was.
 
I had hoped to hit Wilhelm this week but with this cold front moving in I don't know if the lake is worth wasting the gas.   Time will tell..................
 
Good fishing. 

John .... Yeah , I remember the good old days , guess I'm old enough too 😀.. Used to always hit Pymatuning early for slabs & to put fish in the freezer then work Wilhem hard for bass & walleye. My son will be 39 so I've been around for awhile. Do remember catching the northerns at the causeway used to get tired of catching them but sure wish we had those days back. Daughter lives on Ollie road just past the causeway, grandson is heading back to college to get his Masters soon so figured we could get a fishing trip in here.... Remember one time we launched at the marina , trolled down to launch 2 and son caught a 26",21"& 20" walleye on first pass on Hot & Tots ... Yep those were the days, Good luck fishing this year.....

Nice catch...................... Congratulations!
 
 Keep pictures like that coming!
 
I'd be awwwwwwwwwwwfully disappointed if ya didn't see large schools of shad hitting the surface while yinz was there!

 wow, what a fish outasync!  
 

He is free to be caught another day too. Had another on right before him just as big. Dad thought I was full of smit when I said it was a giant crappie when I lost it beside the boat. 3 casts later I got him.

                  
 
 
 
 
Mopars..........................  no spot burning!

never fished the lake but many, many years ago, when my wife and i were dating, we stopped by fergies one evening in the winter for a soft drink on our ride back to ohio.  on the counter were pictures of fish taken from the lake.  among these was a picture of a limit of walleyes that one would think came from lake erie.   never in all the decades that i have fished mosquito and pymatuning did i see such a picture.  the lake sure is a gem.
 
outasync, kudos for releasing that hawg.  i'll bet she has a lot of babies with the 'big fish' dna.

Steve nice to hear ya had a good day/night on the water.  Thanks for the update.
That is a pretty sunset, it looks like the same sun that was right out front of my place.
 
PS. Your secret's (no spot burning) safe with me.
 
Have a happy and safe 4th.
 

Hey guys and gals today (July 4th) is fish for free day  If any of yinz want  to try out Lake Wilhelm, I know some fishing hot spots.
 
 
 
 
 
Just kidding..................
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
But money talks!!!!!!!!!!!!!  
 
 
 
 
HAPPY 4th............. Everyone!