Thanks for the update WCW. It's not a zoo and is perfect for a 16fter. Plus that 30-40 foot is just a hop, skip and a jump. Would be nice if they did put some funds into the area.

Yea, that is kind of BS to charge for Erie stamp, and not improve it. So if/when it sells, what about all the steelhead fishing that takes place down around the mouth, and a bit upstream?

WCW Thanks for the pictures they are great especially the one with the boat going thru, definitely shows exactly what you need to know to make your own decision as to weather to use this access or not, I really appreciate it

Stopped by elk on Saturday, was warned by a guy in a 16' boat that he had to drag his rig into the mouth, so I guess that's it for us, at least, as far as this summer is concerned. It's a crying shame the pfbc dosen't invest more into that launch.

I used the elk creek access on Monday it is down to a few inches deep but its doable if you put your motor all the way up and you jump out of your boat and drag it thru this is the only way your going to be able to use it at the present time. I saw a few other boats going out and everyone used this method.

I agree, it's bad enough having to pay extra just to fish Lake Erie but to hear boats under 17' need be pushed to deeper water and one must exit the boat to do it.... that sucks.

I sent an email to the PFBC inquiring about Elk Creek access..... Can't wait to see how that turns out.

Stay tuned.

Been four days now, and no response to my email.

Maybe they're busy drawing up plans to enhance Elk Creek Access 😕


Do ya think?🤔


Stay tuned.

WCW I agree. I dont fish Erie but I don't blame yinz guys who do, pay extra to do so and yet, can't access the lake without difficulty at a PFBC launch.

I got to looking at my email sent to the PFBC and realized, in the past, I have gotten some sort of acknowlegement saying email received & someone (or something) would get back to me.

Didn't happen this time so if not getting a response by weeks end, I'll try, try, again.

Maybe they're just soooo busy. [wink wink].

Wellllllll heck yes.

I thought the Elk Creek Access area was supposed to be incorporated into the new state park on lake Erie. I thought I saw  an article several years ago about plans to improve the whole access area when it became part of the new park. 

I don't have a bone is this problem, but....All the post about how it is filling in more and more sums up the reason they will not do anything with it or invest any money into it. They are seeing the same thing you are seeing. Why put money into it? It is a dredging nightmare, and the break walls like they put at Shades have proven to be fairly ineffective. Heck, Northeast Marina has a full-time employee that does nothing but move sand from one side of the marina to the other. 40+ hours a week of just moving sand to keep it from filling in the marina. 
 
I don't agree with selling it, as PA-controlled lakefront access is getting slim to find. 
 
Why not just make it a place where kayakers and small portable boats can launch from, and a place where the pellet head chasers can access the lake by shore? 
 
Problem with improving it, it won't be a nice little quiet launch and area anymore. Shades beach is a perfect example. Used to be a crappy launch that was good for boats under 21', now they improved it, and some days you can't find a place to park......

Yet you can't launch at a PFBC maintained launch sight without a permit or power boat registration.  PFBsCam.   

I don't see where you're complaining. Voicing your opinion yes, complaining no.

Perhaps Bassackwards has a point when he says dredging the sight would create bigger problems. Maybe guys with canoes and yaks are saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".🤔


Regardless, you have a right to your opinion and if nothing else, created a good conversation.

BTW, I have yet to hear any response regarding my email to the PFBC about the launch sight.

I dunno, maybe the email address provided (ra-nwedureach@pa.gov) no longer works or everybody is out fishin or sumpthin. 🙄

I did some fishing out of Conneaut last year I was impressed how smoothly things operated compared to my experiences at Walnut the year before.Cost $5 to launch run by the city I believe.I do not own a boat yet but hope to have 1 next spring Elk access is closest to my home and my favorite area to fish so that's why I keep posting about it.I will keep my kayak for sure its been good to me and can always get out of Elk with it...WCW

WCW I wish I could use a 'yak' but I'm not so sure I'd be able to stand up straight and make it back to the my vehicle at days end.

Wife told me once, we could buy a trailer and she could come and haul me out of the water and take me home. Yeah right, she can't even back a trailer down a ramp.


Anyways, Cost associated wouldn't just involve dredging and that kind of monies would never be approved. Except maybe having the new PFBC Director as a frequent user of Elk Creek Access. 🤔

Unfortunately, it could never be so simple as, moving in a barge loaded with a machine for dredging. Heck engineers would have to draw up plans, which would have to be approved by this agency then, sent to that agency before sending to the other agencies where as, all needed changes would need corrected by the original engineers before returning the plans to the first agency, in order that they approve changes made by the last agency.

In summary no way will additional cost, charged to Erie anglers, be budgeted for a project such as Elk Creek Access. Unless of course, the access is frequented by the likes of a member of the PFBC higher echelon or law maker.😞


Say, there ya go, invite Director Timothy D. Schaeffer to do a little fishing. I mean heck, look what John Arway did for the Susquehanna River & now John enjoys his retirement fishing the river. umm I think John still fishes PA?