One only need read past walleye stocking schedules to see what and where changes have been made.

One only need read biologist reports to see where & why the changes where made.

Or one can talk to the PFBC for a load of BS as to why they have all but destroyed the fishing we oldsters have all come to know and enjoy.

Does it not make you wonder why the Shenango River below the lake was fishable then not fishable then suddenly wonderful for stocking trout and now once again, not good for any fishing.

PCB's have been in those waters for years and yes Westinghouse was responsible for polluting the river but how is it, the only time PCB's are a concern is when that "boogeyman" serves the interest of the PFBC.

People have been eating the fish from that river for years before, during and after Westinghouse. Would it be a surprise to learn many of those same people continue catching and consuming fish from that same river? So, if that is true, and there exist such a danger then why is fishing even allowed? Does the PFBC really have a concern for the health of the angler or does the PCB boogeyman just serve the agenda of the PFBC.

Least not forget the river serves as a source of public water. Oh silly me, the PCB only affects the fish that consume mud dwelling bugs cause that's where the PCBs are found.

Thank goodness nobody wades or plays in the river stirring up that mud.

Speaking of mud might runoff from rain/snow/ice stir the mud or is that brown water solely from surface runoff?😕


Now in my defense, I believe the dangers of PCB's do exist but just what are the "true" dangers and what should all the agencies (including the PFBC) be doing to assure full and total protection of the public?

I know, post signs warning people not to eat the fish.🙄

Before going about my merry way, do not wild animals, say the elusive PA White-tailed Deer, drink from the Shenango?

Any "Do Not Eat The Animals" signs posted where hunting is permitted along the polluted section of water. (keep in mind, deer do roam) Wait.... silly me the PGC has their own boogeyman called CWD.

Goodtimes and tightlines.

A couple years ago I went to Gouin Lake waaaaaay north in Canadia. It was a fly in lake. Middle of NOWHERE. I bought my license and read the book. There was a fish consumption warning. Or was it a warning to keep tourists from fishing the lake out?

Just making a trip like that would be so super. Jump to the out-n-about board, I'm all ears.

All the great lakes carry fish consumption warnings ...some fish (usually bigger ) carry a don't eat warning . Yes even the tasty Walleye and Perch are under eating advisories .
 
Yes we in the Shenango Valley drink that river water everyday for years now , yet it's advised not to eat the fish from there ...some things in life make no common sense to me . The Aqua Water company says the PCB levels in the river are below federal standards , so something isn't adding up to me .
 
Local catch of the day  
 
 
 

Capt, nice pics. Those fish look, none the worse for wear.

The river?

If memory serves, Conneaut Lake was last stocked in 2014.  Still a fair number running around.  It is a tough one to fish, but very rewarding when you catch.
Food for thought; did you know they stock the sanctuary waters of Pyma with similar numbers to the main lake?

Cap'n I read a ton about PCB's over the years and If I get the gist of it the PCB'S work their way up the food chain starting with the little buggy critters in the mud. I talked to an old timer selling 3Cu buttons at Walnut one time and he laughed at me saying he's been eating fish out of Erie for more than 70 years and still kickin. Who knows?

If you can get in there.......Deer Valley YMCA camp's lake. 
Never caught any trophies, but more than my fair share of legal size keepers.........
 
Used to go there in the mid 80's. Throwing Erie Dearies out of a row boat. More fish than you could handle.....
 
Problem is, it's private.  
 
 Would love to find a way to get back in there to fish for ANYTHING.
 

I think the PCB thing is more about the PFBC worried about Edgar Schnieder, more than trying to save the public. PCB is a known carcinogen, so they have to be overly cautious on the warnings or would open themselves to the talcum powder ambulance chasing idiot that will do whatever he can to get on TV. Like anything, some people can smoke 3 packs of cigarettes per day for 50 years and not have issues. Someone else can get lung cancer from second hand smoke. I’d imagine most people are somewhere in between. Like everything, do in moderation and likely okay. But never know. Do you think fish from China even gets inspected for PCBs?

You make a good point Pork.
 
Let me tell you there was no river better fishing for Walleye than lower Shenango over the years . There were days I personally landed over 20 Walleye in one trip (not bragging) . Not saying all were legal but good steady action especially in the very early spring months. Most times when fishing Shenango you caught Walleye ....getting skunked was rare !  Night fishing or even day fishing one would catch walleye along with a nice mix of other species. It was a excellent fishery for many a fisherman local and travelers . No boat needed just wading boots !
 
Trying to find comparable fishing locally since the PCB demise ....good luck .
So sad that young fishermen as well as others will not have the opportunity to enjoy good local river fishing the way it was meant to be . It's not 100% over but it's future looks bleak .
 
Lower Shenango also was one of the best Trout waters around ....lots of room to fish and excellent wide fast riffles and tailout waters and open all year !  Excellent Trout water for fly and spin fishing......gone !