The largest walleye collected during the Struble Lake survey was 25 inches long and weighed 6.6 pounds.

A trap-net study later that month captured a 29-inch walleye and substantiated the weighting toward larger walleyes with 78 percent of the fish at least 20 inches in length. Those fish have had two more years of growth since the survey. You do the math!

SOUTHCENTRAL REGION
Walleyes have not been stocked at Raystown Lake since 1998.

Night electro-shocking studies here by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologists last April was conducted at the mouth of Great Trough Creek because walleyes make an annual spawning run through this area. A total of 36 walleyes were captured during the survey. The catch consisted of 30 males from 18 to 27 inches and six females from 25 to 28 inches.

Walleye fishing at Raystown Lake has been spotty lately, with most of the catch taking place early in the season in the Great Trough Creek area.

SOUTHWEST REGION
The big walleye-fishing story in the Southwest Region is the three rivers region. Like the resurgence of the bass fishery in these waters that was supposed to be showcased by the 2005 BASS Masters Classic, the walleye fishing is often overstated and overrated. Nonetheless, it is a good and improving walleye and sauger fishery, even in downtown Pittsburgh. Fish around the creek mouths and below navigation dams. Check the bridge piers later this summer.

At Lake Somerset in Somerset County, 81 walleyes were captured with trap nets and night electro-shocking gear in April and May 2005. The majority of fish were 15 inches or greater. Eight of the 81 walleyes were between 24 and 29 inches.

The walleye catch in 2005 was lower than in 1995; however, water temperatures during the survey were more favorable to capturing walleyes in 1995 than in 2005. Walleye fishing has been good here for the past couple of years.

At High Point Lake, also in Somerset County, an April 2005 survey by Fish and Boat Commission biologists found a walleye population that has improved since a similar survey two years previous. All of the walleyes captured were longer than 15 inches, the largest 25 inches.

The best catch rate for walleyes, 0.18 per hour, according to the 2004 Tournament Catch Report Synopsis, occurred at the Monongahela River.

For more information about the walleye fishing in Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000; or call (717) 705-7800.

For more information about traveling in the state, contact the Pennsylvania Office of Tourism, Room 404, Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120; or call (717) 232-8880 or (800) VISIT-PA.