The eastern shoreline also features numerous, though more subtle, points. Extensive flats extend from the southern portion of the lake near the outlet. Most years these structural elements will be weed covered. Weed levels fluctuate, however, due in part to mechanical harvest and chemical treatment. Water clarity, depending on the weather during the year, also influences the status of weed growth.

All of the mentioned spots are worthy of attention from casters. Though Conneaut is a watery playground, during early morning hours it will be relatively peaceful. The same can be said for inclement weather, conditions more suited for muskie fishing than water-skiing.

Jerkbaits have a strong following among Conneaut casters. Buzzbaits and topwaters may be used with success over the tops of weedbeds.

Trollers will also find Conneaut to their liking. Watch closely for schools of bait on the sonar, especially in open water off structure.

There is no horsepower limit on Conneaut Lake. The Fish and Boat Commission maintains a good ramp in a canal off the northern end of the lake. A shallow hump exists at the mouth of the canal, so be cautious while underway. Another ramp is on the southwestern portion of the lake at Fireman's Beach.

Conneaut Lake may be reached via either routes 285 or 322 off Interstate Route 79.

A hand-drawn contour map may be obtained from the Fish Education Center at (724) 452-4464.

Travel information for Conneaut Lake, Pymatuning and Woodcock lakes may be found by visiting www.visitcrawford.org on the Internet.

ALLEGHENY RIVER
Pools 5, 6 And 7
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission consistently stocks the lower Allegheny River with muskies. Some of the better catches are made within these three pools, which stretch from Freeport up to Mosgrove. The fishing may be good throughout the summer well into the fall.

"Pool" on navigational rivers is the name given the river sections between lock and dams. Pool 6, which runs from Clinton up to Kittanning, contains some of the better muskie habitat on the lower river. Casters should pay close attention to the structure found in conjunction with island complexes. Some of these spots will feature weeds by now, providing spring run-off didn't supply too much high, dirty water. Creek mouths can also be productive.

Spinnerbait bucktails are especially effective for working over and through the weeds. Minnow-imitating baits are also good.

While a great deal of shallow-water habitat is found in Pool 6, the opposite is the case in pools 5 and 7. Significant dredging has occurred in these pools, leaving little in the way of structure. For this reason, trolling is a better way of combing these sections.

Believer-type baits take fish, as do plugs of the Pikie variety. Fish may be taken trolling both upstream and down, as there is little current when the water level is normal or low. The best summertime muskie fishing is during stable water conditions. If the river is running high and muddy, it's best to fish elsewhere.

Public access areas on Pool 6 may be found in Kittanning at the riverside park. The Fish and Boat Commission maintains a ramp at Rosston in the mouth of Crooked Creek. Pool 7 may be accessed at the commission's launch at Cowanshannock Creek, a couple of miles upriver of Kittanning. This access suffered some damage during the floods of September of last year, but is expected to be repaired by the time you read this.

No public access is found on Pool 5. Anglers may lock through from above or below the pool at the lock and dams at Clinton or Freeport.

There are no horsepower restrictions on this portion of the river. Navigation charts of the Allegheny River may be obtained from the federal government's online bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.

KEYSTONE LAKE
Known by many anglers as Keystone Power Dam, this lake contains good numbers of muskies, including some trophy-class specimens of pure and hybrid muskies.