Fishing in river near Warren offers variety
Red Childress launched a long cast to the bank of the rising waters of the Allegheny River near Warren. A steady rain was falling, one that would persist during our outing.
After a couple cranks of the reel handle a chunky smallmouth bass T-boned the lipless crankbait; a few moments later a fat two-and-a-half pounder was in the boat, quickly photographed and released.
For Childress, targeting bass was a bit removed from his typical effort. This section of the Allegheny, from the tailwaters of Kinzua Dam downstream to the Tidioute area, supports a highly diverse fishery, one that supports not only bass, but trophy-sized trout, muskies, northern pike and walleyes. It’s these species that see most of his attention.
Take a look at a map and you’ll have a better understanding of why this section of the river — the origins of a 100-plus mile stretch commonly referred to as the middle Allegheny — supports such a wide range of fish species.
For instance, the discharge from Kinzua tends to be significantly cooler during the summer and warmer during the winter months, something that effects the river for many miles downstream.
In Warren, Conewango Creek (which is fed by Chautauqua Lake) adds significant volume, one that’s warmer and often more turbid. A few miles downriver of Warren Brokenstraw Creek joins Allegheny at a braided creek mouth. The sources of these flows — and the geographic areas they drain — directly affect the river and its fishing.
As such, the river from the Kinzua tailwaters down the mouth of Conewango Creek is managed for trout by way of annual fingerling stockings. Special regulations apply along this 8.75 mile stretch. From the statewide trout opener in mid-April through Labor Day, two trout, 14-inch minimum length, can be creeled. The remainder of the year trout may not be kept.
A look at a map will also show the considerable amount of islands both above and below Warren. Add islands to a low gradient river like the Allegheny and in many cases you’re adding musky habitat.
Walleyes are an important part of the mix as well. During my outing with Childress we boated walleyes, though none of the monsters that lurk in the pools and riffles of the river.
Smallmouth bass might get somewhat lost in the mix, but they are there. During the fall big numbers of bass find deep pools in the Warren area to their liking and winter over in the protection found there.
Public boat access areas in Warren County (starting near Kinzua Dam and going downriver) include the Kinzua Tailwaters, Starbrick, Buckaloons, Bonnie Brae, and Tidioute Borough.
More information on public access can be found on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s website www.fishandboat.com.
Jeff Knapp is a fishing columnist for the Butler Eagle.
