According to state records, a significant number of waters stocked with walleyes lie in the northwest corner of the Commonwealth. At the same time, a similarly significant number of waters in the Northwest Region exhibit the highest average night electro-shocking catch, based on biologists’ studies.

Waters with high grades include Edinboro Lake, Shenango Lake, French Creek, Canadohta Lake and Woodcock Creek Lake.

Shenango Lake lies in Mercer County. At 3,500 acres, it stretches under Route 18 above Sharon. Its waters are practically weedless, which doesn’t seem to bother the significant walleye population. Also, because the lake has large shallow areas, rainfall and heavy boat traffic often result in an overall brown color.

On one recent trip, I fished Shenango from the Clake Recreation Area and had good luck with a crankbait on the upstream side of the bridge and nearby riprap.

Shenango Lake is a flood-control project operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For a recorded message on lake conditions, including water temperature, call (724) 962-4384.

To reach Shenango Lake from Sharpsville, take either Route 846 or Route 18, both of which cross the lake and have nearby boat launches.

Heading up-lake toward the Shenango River, there is a large no-wake zone. In this area, the river channel winds back and forth beside an expansive flat. At normal levels, “flat” is less than 3 feet deep, but the narrow channel drops down to 12 feet. Many of the lake’s veteran walleye anglers fish the edge of the channel.

Since 2002, Shenango Lake has been stocked with between 7 and 8 million walleye fry every year. In addition, the lake has received 36,000 walleye fingerlings every year since 2002.

When the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission lists stocking spots on creeks and rivers, it provides locations from one spot on the flow to another. In years past, the Shenango River was stocked in four areas, but in recent seasons, that has dwindled to just one. The only section on the Shenango now receiving a walleye fingerling stocking is 1.5 miles downstream of the Shenango Dam up to the mouth of the river. Since 1995, 19,000 walleye fingerlings were planted in this area each year.

Ironically, Pymatuning Reservoir, which is receiving all the walleye stocking attention, is not on the “high grade” list. But based on the number of anglers who fish it and the attention focused on ‘eyes in the local press and in bait shops, walleye fishing is certainly important at this impoundment.

SOUTHWEST REGION
Last July, a PFBC survey team studied smallmouth bass on Dunlap Creek Lake near Uniontown. They weren’t looking for walleyes -- but what biologists found might direct Southwest Region anglers to Fayette County.

They found bass, but also a number of legal-sized walleyes, many 15 inches or greater. In addition to walleyes, the team also found good-sized saugeyes, including one 28.3-inch, 13.2-pound specimen.

According to Gary Smith, Area 8 fisheries technician, the team recorded nine walleyes and eight saugeyes.

Dunlap Creek Lake covers 50 acres, with one boat launch. Motorized boats are restricted to electric motors only. The lake lies north of Route 21 on T-482.

Lake Somerset in Somerset County was studied in 2005 and biologists found good numbers of walleyes, though the number was down from the last study in 1995.