Trout fishing still hot at Dunlap Lake; some legal walleye showing up
The fishing is good at Dunlap Creek Lake. Anglers have routinely been pulling out trout, including some real lunkers stocked by the local co-op.
A few anglers have even been picking up some walleye.
This year’s inaugural venture into a “Kids Only” fishing area for the first 45 days of the trout season seems to have been a success.
“There weren’t any complaints that I heard of,” Fayette County Waterway’s Conservation Officer Scott Opfer said. “There was always somebody there, but it was not as heavily utilized as I thought it would be.
“Due to the weeds, only half of the prime fishing area was used much. Everyone still seemed to like it, and we’re going to do it again next year.”
Opfer noted that the area is now open to all fishermen. It is a popular spot for carp anglers to congregate in the summer.
I asked Opfer how the announced mid-week trout stockings at Meadow Run and the Yough tailraces went.
“Meadow run was really crowded,” Opfer said. “A lot of people really responded. It was just packed, and there were some really good fish in the shipment.”
Opfer has been patrolling along the Monongahela River. “Boat traffic on the river has been light so far. They are just now transitioning into boating season. Memorial day usually marks the start of boating season, but with all the recent rain and high water, things are running behind. Many boats are not even docked yet.”
The few walleye fishermen Opfer did find on the river said they weren’t catching anything.
Opfer then noted that lake fishing is much preferred under the recent rainy conditions.
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DUNLAP LUNKERS: In getting back to Dunlap Creek Lake, several citation trout have been pulled from the lake recently.
A couple monster trout over 25 inches long have been caught in the past two weeks.
They are just two of many lunkers stocked by the co-op, which released $4,000 worth of trout in two stockings.
Al Packan at Captain Al’s on the lake said that the stocked trout measured from 14 to 30 inches in length.
“There are still a couple 30-inchers out there,” Packan said.
The owner of Jerry’s Flies is currently sponsoring a trout fishing contest at Dunlap that runs through June 14.
He will give a $100 prize to the person catching the largest trout, however, the trout has to be caught on a Jerry’s Flies lure.
“The fishermen are going bananas trying to catch the big fish,” Packan said. “The co-op made its last stocking for the year on May 31.”
While he hasn’t seen any fishermen who were specifically targeting walleye, Packan said that several legal walleye in the 17- to 27-inch range have been caught at Dunlap since the season opened.
He then told me a story about a young boy who caught a 30-inch walleye at the lake. His father was unaware that walleye were in season and told the boy he had to release the fish. Later the father found out he was in error.
Hopefully, the boy will catch it another day.
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HANDICAP FISHING DAY: Fairbank Rod and Gun Club will host a handicap fishing day Saturday, July 19 in which all handicapped anglers are invited to participate.
Fishing will take place in the club pond from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and refreshments will be served.
A shipment of channel catfish will be placed in the pond just prior to the event.
A non-handicapped adult must accompany each handicapped fisherman, but club members will be on hand to assist participants with their fishing only.
Due to space limitations, only 40 anglers can be accepted.
Participants must register in advance by calling Bob Valente at 724-246-9828.
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BAD GOBBLER SENDOFF? I went on vacation and missed the last week of spring gobbler season, but apparently I didn’t miss much from what I’ve been hearing.
Everyone I’ve spoken with said the hunting was lousy.
J.R. Marra said that he only heard of one turkey being killed all week, with none checked for the pool at the shop.
That means that Mark Smitley won the annual gobbler pool at Marra’s with second place going to Vince Komacko Sr. and Duane Bentz placing third.
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FISHING DERBY: The Fayette County Conservation District will hold its annual fishing derby from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 23 at Jacobs Creek Park (Greenlick Dam).
Children age 15 and under are eligible and encouraged to participate in the free event. Prizes will be given in different age categories for the longest fish.
Door prizes will be awarded and a picnic will follow.
Participants must furnish their own tackle and bait.
To register contact the Conservation District at 724-438-4497.
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NEW INSECT REPELLENT: While vacationing in Tennessee two weeks ago, everyone said I should be glad the mosquitoes aren’t biting yet.
Last year the mosquitoes were not only biting there, but I was told that West Nile virus was also a big problem.
Ironically, when I arrived home I had a packet of news releases on Ultrathon insect repellent from 3M that has new patented 3M Controlled Release Technology, where DEET evaporates slower so that lower levels of DEET last longer.
A single application of Ultrathon is supposed to provide continuous protection for up to eight hours.
The can is designed to spray in all directions so that even hard-to-reach areas like the back of the legs can be covered.
Ultrathon also repels ticks that may carry Lyme disease, biting flies, chiggers, gnats and more.
It is also available in a lotion form.
Rod Schoener is the Herald-Standard outdoors writer.