Walnut Creek Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies and Gear: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Steelhead
Coho Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Size
Medium, 8 miles long
Location
Northwestern Pennsylvania
Nearest Town
Erie
Fairview
Season
Species Dependent – See Below
Access:
Good
Special Regulations
Yes, check the current regulations
that are subject to change each
season.
Non-Resident License
State of Pennsylvania
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The best steelhead fishing takes place in November and
December.
Spring:
Steelhead remain in Walnut Creek until as late as the end of April.
Summer:
During the Summer, the water is too low and warm for steelhead.
Fall:
Chinook and Coho Salmon run in the Fall and are followed by the steelhead. Salmon enter the river from the middle of September through October but good fishing can begin as early as October. It all depends on the weather and stream levels.
Winter:
Wintertime is the best time for Walnut Creek steelhead fishing although January and February can be tough at times.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Options For Selecting Flies:
1. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)
with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.
2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need
3. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)
with a budget for flies and we will select them to match the budget and get them to you in time for your fly fishing trip.
All orders are shipped free in the
U. S. Orders over $100 are shipped via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Walnut Creek Pennsylvania
Walnut Creek is a fairly small tributary of Lake Erie that’s located in Northwestern Pennsylvania. It’s well known and popular for its steelhead fishing. The stream is located on Lake Erie between Erie and Fairview, Pennsylvania.
In addition to Walnut Creek steelhead, there are small but decent runs of both Chinook and Coho Salmon. Like all the Great Lakes’ steelhead, the location of the fish in Walnut Creek is subject to water levels. At the beginning of the season in early Fall, the fish will concentrate in the lake just outside of the inlet. As the water rises, the steelhead move upstream. They rarely reach the uppermost headwaters above Route #90.
Most of the fishing is done downstream of Route #32.
Below Route #90, Walnut Creek flows under routes #79, #832, #20, and #5 and then into Lake Erie. There’s a marina and a concrete wall on the lower end of the creek..Although salmon and steelhead anglers use casting and spinning gear to fish this area, it’s of little use to the fly angler. The riffles, runs, and pools upstream is the prime area for fly fishing. A waterfall below Route #5 can limit the migration of the steelhead on low water levels.
Fly fishing Walnut Creek is similar to fly fishing most other Great Lakes tributaries. Most flies are presented on the swing. Fly anglers mostly use a floating fly line, long leader, and split shot. Nymph fishing is also popular. At times, sinking tip fly lines are used. Spey fishing is becomes more popular each day.
Walnut Creek can be accessed at several locations including most of the many bridges that cross the creek. Like most other Great Lakes tributaries, the bottom consist of shale and cleats are necessary for wading boots.
The best time for steelhead is generally early November through December although they can be present from early October untill the end of April. Salmon fishing would be best from mid-September through mid- October.