When biologists speak of "an historic site," they're not talking about a famous battle or amazing architecture. To a survey team, an "historic" site is one they've surveyed again and again. Biologists use these historic sites to create a common basis of measurement from year to year.

"We captured a total of 445 smallmouth bass ranging from 4 to 19 3/4 inches. Our results showed the Allegheny River produced an excellent year-class in 2005, and that 2006 was our best year ever for smallmouths over 12 inches and also smallmouths over 15 inches."

Anglers they encountered on the water also reported good catches of smallmouths, using live bait.

Floating the Allegheny River in canoe and kayaks is productive in the summer months. And access to the river is good in Warren, Forest, Venango, Clarion and Armstrong counties, according to Area Two biologists.

Excellent largemouth catches were reported by tournament anglers in Pymatuning Reservoir, Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie.

For additional information about Keystone State bass fishing, log on to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at wwwfish.pa.us, or call them in Harrisburg at (717) 705-7800. For travel information, call 1-800-VISIT-PA.