A few years ago it wasn't uncommon for springtime anglers to catch dozens of walleyes during early-season forays, though the vast majority of fish were of sub-legal size. The 15-inchers were quickly cropped off. Because of a dense population, the fish were competitive and fairly easy to catch. Drop a minnow-tipped jig to the bottom, let the wind push you across the lake, and chances were good you'd make contact. That's not the case any more.

Cold springs that provided poor stocking conditions coupled with predation from an exploded alewife population has put a significant hit on recent stockings. Survey work by Billingsley's team has revealed good numbers of walleyes, most of which are over the 15-inch minimum.

The walleye population is not nearly as dense now, but instead is composed of many quality-sized fish. During trips I made to this lake last summer and fall, fish in the 18- to 23- inch class were taken each time.

Billingsley said fall surveys the past two years have revealed about half the level they would like to see. Fry stockings take place over a one-month period (approximately). Last season, fish came from not only the Linesville Hatchery, but also included a late stocking of walleyes reared at the Pleasant Mount Hatchery on Lake Wallenpaupack. Additional work is being done at the Linesville Hatchery to allow personnel to hold fish longer until proper conditions exist.

The bottom line on Pymatuning is that quality fish are available for the anglers willing to put in the time to find the techniques to catch these older fish.

Pymatuning Lake is in western Crawford County on the Pennsylvania-Ohio border. Numerous access areas are found along the lake. The best ramps on the Pennsylvania side for larger boats are Jamestown, Snodgrass and Linesville. Ohio also has several good facilities. Boat motors were limited to 10 horsepower (at the time of this writing).

THREE RIVERS
AFM Rick Lorson expects walleye fishing to be good in the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers this year. Fishing action tends to be localized near the lock and dam systems, though other good spots exist.

The rivers tend to be hot the first month or so of the season, and then again in the fall. Lorson considers the Monongahela to be a sleeper because many anglers continue to associate it with poor water quality. The area manager said great strides have been made to clean up the river, and that anglers are overlooking some excellent fishing opportunities.

GLENDALE LAKE
Anglers from Cambria County, and nearby population centrals found in Altoona (Blair County), can find good walleye populations in Glendale Lake. Glendale is a 1,600-acre lake located in Prince Gallitzin State Park.

"It has a good walleye population based on our spring electro-shocking results and Prince Gallitzin State Park fishing reports," noted Bruce Hollender, fisheries manger. "Walleyes are maintained by our walleye fry stocking program. Our last survey in the spring of 2001 found two groups of adult walleyes running 14 to 16 inches and 18 to 19 inches long and a few just over 2 feet in length. The forage base is young perch, other panfish and golden shiners."

Good boat ramps are found in several locations along the main arm of Glendale Lake. Boats are limited to 20-horsepower outboards. Secondary roads leading off routes 36 and 53 lead to the lake. It is northeast of Ebensburg.