Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What are the seasons, sizes and daily limits for Lake Erie and Tributaries?

The following seasons, sizes and daily limits apply to Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and peninsular waters, all Lake Erie tributaries in their entirety which include Cascade Creek, Conneaut Creek, Crooked Creek, Eightmile Creek, Elk Creek, Fourmile Creek, Mill Creek, Raccoon Creek, Sevenmile Creek, Sixmile Creek, Sixteenmile Creek, Twelvemile Creek, Twentymile Creek, Walnut Creek and all waters that flow into these tributaries.

Species	Seasons	Minimum Size	Daily Limit
Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge (Hybrids)	Open year-round	40 inches	1
Northern Pike	Open year-round	24 inches	2
Walleye	Jan. 1 through March 14 and May 1 through Dec. 31	15 inches	6
Bass* Largemouth Smallmouth	Jan. 1 through April 16 and June 12 through Dec. 31	15 inches	4 (combined species)
Bass* Largemouth Smallmouth	April 17 through June 11*	20 inches	1
Yellow Perch	Dec. 1 through March 31	7 inches	30
Yellow Perch	April 1 through Nov. 30	No minimum	30
Sunfish, Crappies, Catfish, Rock Bass, Suckers, Eels, Carp, White Bass	Open year-round	No minimum	50 (combined species)
Burbot (when taken by scuba divers by use of non-mechanical spears or gigs at a depth of at least 60 feet)	June 1 through Sept. 30	No minimum	5
Burbot (when taken by hook and line)	Open year-round	No minimum	5
Smelt (when taken by hook and line)	Open year-round	No minimum	None
Trout and Salmon**	Jan. 1 through April 15	15 inches	3 (combined species), only two (2) of which may be lake trout
	8 a.m. April 17 through Sept. 6	9 inches	5 (combined species), only two (2) of which may be lake trout
	Sept. 7 through April 14, 2011	15 inches	3 (combined species), only two (2) of which may be lake trout
Baitfish/Fishbait	Open year-round	No minimum	50 (combined species)
Sturgeon	No open season	ENDANGERED SPECIES
Spotted Gar	No open season	ENDANGERED SPECIES

* It is unlawful to conduct or participate in a fishing tournament for bass on Lake Erie or Presque Isle Bay during the period from opening day of the trout season in April until midnight the first Saturday after June 11.
** It is unlawful to fish or possess trout or salmon in or along any Lake Erie tributary stream from 12:01 a.m. on April 16 until 8 a.m. on April 17 (32 hours total).

Special Regulations - Lake Erie Tributary Streams

Designated as Nursery Waters are Trout Run and its tributaries, Godfrey Run, Orchard Beach Run, and Crooked Creek (where posted). It is unlawful to fish, wade, or possess fishing equipment while in or along Lake Erie tributary streams designated as Nursery Waters.
Archery fishing or spear fishing is prohibited in or along Lake Erie tributary streams.
From September 7 until the opening day of trout season in April, all Lake Erie tributary streams are closed to fishing from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. on the following day except for Walnut Creek north of Manchester Bridge Road and Elk Creek north of Route 5.
It is unlawful to fish from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. on the following day within 50 yards of the mouth of both Trout Run and Godfrey Run while fishing the Lake Erie shoreline.

What are the creel limits for PA / OH 2011 during the dates will will be fishing for these species?

Perch        PA/OH                                   30 fish daily per person no   minimum size
Walleye     PA/OH                                    6 fish daily per person 15" minimum size
Steelhead   PA                                          3 fish daily per person 15" minimum size
Steelhead OH                                          2 fish daily per person 12" minimum size

What can I expect to pay for a PA / OH Resident or non resident fishing license?

PA 2010

Resident             $22.70       * Top four items add $15.70 to each for trout / erie stamp combo permit for
Non Resident     $52.70          Erie stream fishing or $9.70 for offshore lake erie Perch / Walleye from
7 day tourist       $34.70          PA waters .
3 day tourist       $26.70
1 Day includes all stamps $26.70

Ohio 2010                               * We prefer to perch / walleye fish out of Ohio

Resident                          $19.00
Non Resident         1 day $11.00
Non Resident         3 day $19.00
Non Resident annual        $40.00

May I purchase a license online?

Yes here are the links for PA / OH print out a couple copies so that if you lose one you are good to go .

PA http://www.fish.state.pa.us OH http://www.dnr.state.oh.u s

Who do I make my deposit check out to ? Where do I mail it ?

                                    Make chack payable to : Donald Stephens

                                    Mail to : A Day Away Fishing Adventures
                                                 10384 West Lake Rd. Lot #143
                                                         Lake City , PA 16423

If I cancel my trip at the last minute do I receive a refund ?

If you cancel 4 weeks prior to our scheduled trip you will be fully refunded . Otherwise no unless the reason was jusified ie ....situation beyond you're control . You will be fully refunded if your trip is cancelled due to adverse weather and we cannot make arrangements to reschedule .

What are the deposit fees?

Deposit fees are as follows: remaining funds due must be paid in cash prior to leaving dock or starting stream fishing .

Boat charter Perch / walleye $100.00
All other adventures $50.00

When will you contact me so I know when and where we are meeting ?

We will contact you the day before your scheduled trip to discus a meeting time and place . If you are not going to be available please call us ahead of time to make arrangements . Don Stephens724-272-1479

I had a few too many drinks on board .....

I have been in this situation before please hydrate yourself while on the water the sun really takes a toll on your body . I can give you a courtesy shuttle back to your local lodging destination if you have had a couple too many . Nothing spoils your day more than a DUI and your safety is my first concern . I permit beer onboard, please no hard liquor, and NO DRUGS no exceptions . We are smoker friendly cigar and cigarette smoking is permitted . Lake Erie is a beautiful place but it can and does take lives please respect it as I have learned to over the years .

What Lake Erie ports does A Day Away Fishing Adventures operate ?

Usually Conneaut , Ashtabula OH . Occassionally Geneva , OH and Walnut Creek Access , PA .

Are steelhead good table fare ?

If prepared properly they can be a delicious meal . Smoking is the most popular remedy for thier fishy flavor . We do encourage catch and release .

Do I have to pay more for filleting of fish?

We fillet all walleye and trout , put them in water , and into plastic bags that are individually sealed . Do not forget a cooler to transport your fillets home on Perch / Walleye charters . We cannot fillet perch we do not clean perch unless adequate time is left in the day for us to prepare for the following days outing and cut your fish . ( captain's decision ) . If we do have time to clean your perch there is an additional .50 per fish charge for cleaning. Perch maybe taken to local bait shops and cleaned for a small price . I must apologize in advance for this but the reason is we must have adequate time to ready the boat for the next clients' day and being the time consuming nature of 6 limits of perch this would not allow us sufficient time to prepare. A time frame to clean 6 limits or 180 perch is around two hours for two experienced people cutting .

Am I required to leave a tip for a charter or guided trip ?

No .... It is customary to tip but not required . If you feel it necessary you may do so .

I really want to use your charter but I don't have enough people ?

Just contact us we will do our best to get you on the water. stephens.donald@rocketmail.com
or call Captain Don Stephens (Cell) 724-272-1479

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