One 21 inch eye and a bunch of perch in the box today, lost an eye of same size at the boat and lost a few decent sized fish. Caught a few wipers as well. Lake was 59 degrees when I left.

"P  T  I have caught  striper's in the mid 30's and they would get a fair amount bigger. I have pulled Hybrids out of the river even bigger more closer to 40 inch.  As far as the Walleye your KIDDING RIGHT???  they are just about over running the lake much like the channel cats that they continuously keep FREAKING stocking. The ranger told me that the Walleye's reproduce just fine in the lake, But I asked him I wasn't sure of so seeing average depth is only 8 feet. So I asked him why all the freaking walleye and channel's stocking. Answer was for the public and to Have as many people fishing the lake as possible.  Hmmm Guess it's all about the money Ehhh
  OH yeah how about all the kayak's running around at night with the smallest lights possible that you can't see until your right on them in the middle of the lake   NICE' 
 
 
never heard anyone complain about walleye like this before!?!?!. I know they have made a comeback in Arthur the past few years, but overrunning the lake??? Hey if you know where and how to catch them please PM the info. I will gladly take 6 off your hands each time out. Frankly, I've had good and bad days on Arthur for eyes, but never a limit and never consistent. I'd be happy to learn from you. 
 
Jeff 

?

I use the required white 360 degree white light when out at night.  Kayaks are actually not supposed to use bow/stern lights since they are not a power boat.  Never had an issue with power boats at night(other than the****last year spotlighting everyone on the water) but I also avoid lanes commonly used by power boats, and stick to shallow edges.

I'm curious if anyone has knowledge as to what the round about survival rate of fingerling stocking is? This is what Arthur received last year from the stocking. Also I find it strange the lake received no walleye in 2015 and 2016, any particular reason for this?
2013 Channel Catfish Fingerling 16,000
2013 Muskellunge Fingerling 6,600
2013 Striped Bass hybrid Fingerling 16,100
2013 Walleye Fingerling 144,700
2014 Muskellunge Fingerling 3,300
2014 Striped Bass hybrid Fingerling 16,100
2014 Walleye Fingerling 96,700
2015 Muskellunge Fingerling 3,300
2015 Striped Bass hybrid Fingerling 36,100
2016 Muskellunge Fingerling 3,300
2016 Striped Bass hybrid Fingerling 32,200
2017 Muskellunge Fingerling 3,225
2017 Striped Bass hybrid Fingerling 16,100
2017 Walleye Fingerling 64,515
 

Think those were mostly musky guys, most had boards moving at a good clip.

Moses Guthrie
Think those were mostly musky guys, most had boards moving at a good clip.

Some of those guys troll about as fast as my barge goes at full throttle.
 
Maybe that is what those Arthur eyes want?  I'm always trying to mimic the Erie guys advice, and not much success trolling for them.  I've even tried down riggers, and almost lost a ball/destroyed my down rigger.  Too many sudden changes in structure on Arthur to run those things IMO.  Hard to run lead core, bottom bouncers, inline weights, divers, ect.

Not sure what the sweat spot is for speed, but try pulling a drift sock or other to slow you down a bit (a buddy of mine used a laundry hamper to slow down his I/O on Erie).  I usually troll with my electric to get me slower (and fumes out of my face).  Maybe I am going too slow though!

TheBlueLagoon
I'm curious if anyone has knowledge as to what the round about survival rate of fingerling stocking is? This is what Arthur received last year from the stocking. Also I find it strange the lake received no walleye in 2015 and 2016, any particular reason for this?
2013 Channel Catfish Fingerling 16,000
2013 Muskellunge Fingerling 6,600
2013 Striped Bass hybrid Fingerling 16,100
2013 Walleye Fingerling 144,700
2014 Muskellunge Fingerling 3,300
2014 Striped Bass hybrid Fingerling 16,100
2014 Walleye Fingerling 96,700
2015 Muskellunge Fingerling 3,300
2015 Striped Bass hybrid Fingerling 36,100
2016 Muskellunge Fingerling 3,300
2016 Striped Bass hybrid Fingerling 32,200
2017 Muskellunge Fingerling 3,225
2017 Striped Bass hybrid Fingerling 16,100
2017 Walleye Fingerling 64,515
 

I would guess, a fairly low number. PFBC might have some studies on it. I'm sure other states have done survival studies. What I do know, if the PFBC stop stocking the lake, there would be no walleye fishery. Its 100% hatchery dependent, along with most other PA lakes. 

Arway made it well known, trout are getting cut big time if there is no license increase. Walleye and Musky will be getting scaled back big time as well

Just my two cents.....when fishing with fatheads especially the large size I find those big black headed ones are terrible for catching fish overall. Don't get me wrong sometimes a hungry fish will grab anything, but those black headed carp looking ones are my least favorite . I prefer the lighter shinier ones..... they get ate up five times as fast...especially by Walleye and Trout.
 
I feel your pain on Walleye also..... tough season all over.

Your options are pretty much endless with a kayak.  The wind is a big thing to watch out for.  If calling for gusts over 15mph in Portersville, PA, then stick to some areas with a lot of coves, to hide from the wind...  Even then, the wind seems to swirl up there.  Those forecasted winds of 15mph, often end up being 18-20 sustained in certain areas.  And just end up battling the wind in a kayak, rather than fishing.  When I used to fish from a kayak, I would look for days that were gusts under 10mph.  Even with my 17' hunk of aluminum, I am getting blown all over the place under certain wind patterns.
 
Some nice small craft launches, that will keep you mostly away from the bigger boats (at least launching) are;  Upper 528, Mt. Zion Church, Porters Cove and the 5 Points group camping area (walk in path for kayaks and canoes only).  I have never used, but I think there is a non-powered launch at the Pleasant Valley area, but restricted fishing in that cove.  There are bass and crappie just about anywhere in the lake.  Not sure where they are right now, but you should be able to find some.  These small craft launches, put you in coves, often shielding you from the wind.  Most have good weed beds to fish and some fallen timber.  Submerged structure map is on the PFBC site, but will be hard to locate without a GPS & sonar.
 
McDaniel's launch, is possibly the most overused launch on the lake, but is nice (in terms of easy access to the dam/main lake, coves and "the lost river" or whatever it is called).  Great place to explore with a kayak.  Not sure if the fishing is all that great in that lost river, but might be?  That said, McDaniel's has a ton of traffic (closest to I79 for larger boats) and one of the only launches that larger boats can launch from.  I'd probably avoid on your first trip with a kayak.  Many of the guys that fish a lot, don't have much patience for the kayak crowd, leaving their boats at the launch and unloading, ect.  Doing so, at one of those smaller launches, will likely make for a more enjoyable first time on the water there.  If you are an experienced kayak fisherman, with a good launching routine, and put your yak in the grass (not along a dock), you should be fine.  I had a good routine down, but still preferred the smaller launches.
 
For the main lake, Bear Run is used a good bit too, so kind of like McDaniel's Jr.  Same with the 528 Bridge launch.  The Watts Bay and Porters Cove marinas, each have a public launching area, that don't get packed with boaters.  That said, coming from Pgh, you will add about 20 minutes to your commute to Watts and 30 minutes to Porters, since North Shore Dr is like 15mph.  But easier access to the North Shore. 
 
Make sure your yak is either registered with the PFBC or have a state park launch permit.  They will site you, if you don't.
 
Hope this helps.  I'm not sure of really which launch will give you the most success right now.  I think they all have great opportunity near by.

Thanks for the relies guys! Yeah Mainly looking for a spot in the grass so I'm not holding anyone up. I'll give Porters Cove a shot. I'll keep an eye on the wind for sure, that would easily ruin a trip.

You think yaks are bad at Moraine's boat launches? Come watch them in Franklin, groups of people will come down the Allegheny spread out across the whole river, oblivious to how a jet boat has to run the riffles. They will wave their hands and paddles, all ticked off at you, when in fact they are the inconsiderate ones.
 
 
 
.....Rant over

psu_fish
You think yaks are bad at Moraine's boat launches? Come watch them in Franklin, groups of people will come down the Allegheny spread out across the whole river, oblivious to how a jet boat has to run the riffles. They will wave their hands and paddles, all ticked off at you, when in fact they are the inconsiderate ones.
 
 
 
.....Rant over

 
MY turn.......
 
You can blame much of this nonsense on the yak/canoe rentals that do not educate the customers.  Does it make sense for operators of power boats, etc. to require testing and a permit and not require non-powered watercraft operators to be educated?
 
I'm all for "share the river" but if it comes to me having to run a $18,000.00 boat and motor into the rocks, I'm exercising my right to "navigable water".  Don't worry about waving your paddle, showing me your age or IQ, just grab your boat cause I'm coming through!!  
 
Jets can navigate in a few inches of water leaving little to no wake "if" the boat is up on plane but a jet squats on take off, and needs much longer runs to get on top.  Especially a ill fitted boat or one powered by minimal horse power.
 
Enjoyed the rant, PSU.
 
 
Anyways, it matters not whether a self propelled boat, sail boat or the shirtless hairy guy wearing a speedo in his big boat with the loud motor pulling screaming kids on a rubber replica of Nessy, we are always going be subject to those who either don't know what they are doing, or those who just do not give a dam about other people.
 
Next time yinz run into those yaks/canoes blocking the ramps you have one of three options, (1) wait; (2) offer to help load/unload; (3) run over anything in your way! 
 
Visit Wilhelm for some real chyts and giggles,  as you back your boat  toward the water and you see in your rear view mirror some snot nosed kid wearing a stupid looking helmet shoot out from behind your trailer, riding their bike or skate board.  Hit one of them little darlings and kiss that $18000.00 boat, (and life) good bye!! 
 
 
Disclaimer; not my fault there is high wind, heavy rain with lightning and thunder, other wise I'd be fishing and not on this stupid computer!!