The "Mile Creeks" of Pennsylvania are located
east of Erie and can provide exceptional steelhead fishing
if water levels aloow it. They are made up of several
creeks that start south of Route 5 and eventually flow
north into Lake Erie. In order from the city of Erie
traveling east on Route 5 they include; Four, Seven,
Eight, Twelve, Sixteen and Twenty Mile Creeks. There
is also Six Mile Creek which is not a good fishery and
also difficult to access. These creeks fish best in the
fall, winter, and spring when water levels are high enough
to bring in these powerful and acrobatic fish. The best
fishing is sometimes after a strong rain especially in
the months of October, November, and December. Some Special
Regulations apply.
Four Mile Creek is located a short distance east of
Erie, Pennsylvania. This is a small creek that can
be exceptional when the water flows and time of year
are appropriate. Access can be found along 4 Mile Creek
Road by turning north off of Route 5 which is just
east of the creek. Watch for posted land and do not
trespass. Fishing on this creek is limited to north
of Route 5. Starting at the mouth near the lake and
working your way upstream is a good way to fish this
creek.
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Seven Mile Creek is found approximately three miles east
of Four Mile Creek. You will cross Six Mile creek on
your way. Seven Mile is located on Glinodo Center which
is owned and operated by the Benedictine Sisters. Glinodo
Center is a conference and educational center. The owners
only allow walk in fishing. Parking along Route 5 is
available and walking along the creek north towards the
lake is permissible. Near Route 5 is a waterfall that
inhibits the passage of fish.
Eight Mile Creek is located just about 1 mile east
of Seven mile. This creek is small and runs fairly
thin much of the time. The best fishing here is generally
near the mouth by the lake. When water flows are high
fishing can be good inside the creek all the way to
Route 5. Parking can be found by the lake at the end
of Shades Beach Road which is located west of the creek
off of Route 5. There is also parking along Route 5.
Continuing on Rt. 5 for approximately 3 miles, you will
find Twelve Mile Creek. This "mile" creek offers
good access. The creek can be found by traveling east
on Route 5 for approximately 12 miles from Erie and turning
left (north) onto Shorewood Drive just west of the creek
(before crossing the creek). While traveling along Route
5 you will first cross all of the previously mentioned
creeks. The best fishing here is found from the lake
south to Route 5. Just upstream from Route 5 is some
terrain that is nearly impassable for fish. This limits
the fishing from here downstream to the lake. Access
can be found along Shorewood Drive (parallels the west
side of creek) and at the end of this road near the lake.
Sixteen Mile Creek is found approximately 5 miles
further east on Rt. 5. This creek is larger then all
of the creeks east of Erie except for Twenty Mile.
A good number of anglers fish this creek since it is
somewhat larger. Good access is available on much of
the creek. A waterfall located South (upstream) of
Route 5 keeps many fish from passing this point. Access
can be found in a few places. One area is at the mouth
of the creek (Halli Reed Park) which can be accessed
by turning north off of Route 5 onto Freeport Road
(directly across from Route 89) which will lead you
to the park near the mouth of the creek. Along Route
5 there is also parking. On North Mill Street there
is a sewerage plant. Parking is also found by the plant.
Most anglers will walk from the plant downstream of
the waterfall which is a short distance south(upstream)
of Route 5.
Twenty Mile Creek is the largest and most popular
of the creeks east of Erie. This Creek originates in
New York and flows for several miles before entering
Pennsylvania for the last four miles of its journey.
The best fishing on Twenty Mile is found in the vicinity
of Route 5. There is parking found at the Route 5 bridge.
From here you can walk down the west side of the creek
towards the mouth or walk upstream to a good pool located
just above the bridge. The area below the bridge is
a good place to start. Fish sometimes have trouble
getting past an area of nearly impassable terrain a
short walk above the bridge. However in high water
they can, and in fact the fishing can be good all the
way to the New York border at times. Access above the
Route 5 bridge can be found along Middle(west side
of creek) and Gay(east side) Roads in certain areas.
This river is an approved trout fishery as well and
is stocked accordingly.
The "Mile Creeks" of Pennsylvania are all
tremendous fisheries. Water flows, time of year, and
even moon phase are all factors on the migration of
fish into these rivers. The best times are generally
after rains when water levels rise and then begin to
fall. Fishing these creeks is usually done with standard
nymph tactics. A floating line and leader with split
shot will do the job in most situations. In extreme
high water a lead sack or "slinky" may be
used to stay on the bottom and in the "zone."
