When water flow in Lake Erie tributary creeks is normal, waves of steelhead enter the flow to swim upstream and prepare to spawn. When the flow is very low, the fish are trapped in the holes and make easy targets for poachers and anglers. Photo by Julie Szur

A few weeks ago, we enjoyed the onset of chilly mid-30-degree mornings and the refreshing rainfall. The two enchanting elements of nature set in motion a beautiful process, attracting steelhead, brown trout and lake trout to Lake Erie’s shallow, near-shore waters. From there, the fish are drawn to the even colder temperature of the streams, and with sufficient water flow in these usually dry summertime creeks, the fish gracefully enter the streams.

A few days and weeks later, the rain has stopped, the air temperatures have increased, and the water flows have decreased in all the Lake Erie tributaries. The early run fish, which are the first to migrate upstream, that went up the creeks try to turn around, but they cannot. Little water flows from deep pool to deep pool. They are trapped until the next rainfall allows adequate stream flow.

Orvis-endorsed New York State-certified stream fishing educator and steelhead/trout guide Julie Szur poses a poignant question, “Should we even be fishing in the smaller creeks for these trapped fish? Is it fair to fish in an aquarium?” Julie adds that she believes it’s a profound ethical dilemma for every responsible angler to ponder.

Delving deeper, a recent post from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has drawn more than 400 replies on Meta. The PFBC noted that low water and high angler pressure equals highly stressed fish (Steelhead). PFBC adds that fish caught appear overly stressed and in poor condition and should be harvested while observing size and creel limits. Szur firmly states, “I just won’t do that. It’s a time to show restraint and be kind to the fish. It’s about being ethical, being a conservationist. Stay off the streams. Fish the mouth of the streams in the lake where the fish are waiting to come up the creeks when the water flow begins again.” On the flip side, Zen Olow of the Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen adds, “With so many fish trapped and no flow, that means no food for the fish to survive. PFBC may have a point. It all depends on how long this drought lasts.”

The approach to stay off the streams resonates with me and many other anglers, and I believe it’s a responsibility we all should share as anglers. Julie Szur is a fly-fishing guide, tutor and educator for those of you that have ever had the pleasure to fish with Julie. You learn on every trip. Learn more at https://flyfishingjulieszur.com or call 716-481-6619.

Advice? Sleep better at night and go perch or walleye fishing at times like these. Enjoy a tasty dinner, and let the steelhead recover on their own as they will with some rain in the forecast. Remember there is also great bass fishing in Lake Erie at this time of year. The bass are gorging up forage in prep for winter. AND, this Saturday is the New York State southern zone early archery crossbow season opener. Choices, choices, choices.

Gotta love the outdoors.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Oct. 1-Nov. 15: NYS Southern Zone early big game archery season.

Nov. 1: NYS Southern Zone fall turkey season ENDS.

Nov. 1: Leftover deer management permits go on sale, first-come, first served; at license issuing sites.

Nov. 1: NYS Personal Floatation Device law is in effect for boats less than 21 feet. Ends May 1.

Nov. 2-15: NYS Southern Zone crossbow big game season OPENS.

Nov. 5: Fly Fishing and Fly-Tying Class, FREE, 7-8:30 p.m., with Alberto Rey, Costello Room, Rockefeller Arts Center, SUNY Fredonia. Info: email reya@fredonia.edu.

Nov. 16-Dec. 8: NYS Southern Zone regular (firearm) big-game season.

Dec. 9-Dec. 17 and Dec. 26-Jan. 1: NYS Southern Zone late bowhunting season.