Dutch Fork refilling after draw down for minor repairs
I have received a number of calls and e-mails over the past week regarding low water levels at Dutch Fork Lake.
As it turns out, there was a leak in the new dam, which was finally completed in the spring.
Repairs were needed, so the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission drew the lake levels down and completed the necessary work.
According to a commission spokesman, the lake has begun to refill, gaining five inches in the past week.
How quickly it continues to refill will depend on how much rainfall we get over the next few weeks.
• Whip Em Baits will host a Bass Fishing Tournament to benefit the Wounded Warriors and Pink Fishing Reeling in the Cure from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, at Ten Mile County Park.
The event will include a picnic for the veterans, cancer survivors and their families, volunteers and tournament participants from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other events include a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and kids fishing.
All proceeds other than tournament payouts will be donated to both charities.
For more information about the event or to download an application form, visit http://www.whipembaits.com.
• Doe licenses have already sold out in 17 of the state’s 23 Wildlife Management Areas, though licenses remain in both WMU 2A and 2B.
In WMU 2A, which includes all of Greene County and most of Washington County, just over 28,000 licenses remain for sale out of a possible 49,000.
In WMU 2B, just 8,700 licenses have been sold.
WMU 2B, which includes the northeastern corner of Washington County and takes in all of Allegheny County, had 69,000 available licenses.
But the Pennsylvania Game Commission changed rules this year to limit the extended rifle season in WMU 2B to include only Allegheny County.
You have to wonder if that has affected sales in WMU 2B, which have typically been slow, but have been slower than normal this year.
• The deadline to apply for the Elk license lottery is today.
If you have not yet completed the online application, you can still do so at www.pgc.state.pa.us. Click on the “Enter Elk Drawing” icon and fill out the appropriate information.
The cost of the application is a nonrefundable $10.70.
The number of licenses allocated this year has been increased to 86, up from 65 in previous years.
The drawing will be held Sept. 13 at the Pennsylvania Game Commission headquarters in Harrisburg.
The first 26 names drawn will receive a permit to harvest an antlered elk. The next 60 will receive antlerless licenses.
Outdoors Editor F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com