Smallmouth Bass
Where: boulder runs, bridge shade, pool tails, creek-mouth rock, and lower-river current breaks on Twenty Mile Creek.
Move: tubes, Ned rigs, small jerkbaits, poppers, and crayfish-colored streamers.
Species guide →Twenty Mile Creek
Fair
About Twenty Mile Creek
Twenty Mile Creek at North East drains 57 square miles of PA Erie County into Lake Erie, the easternmost PA tributary and a quieter alternative to the heavily-fished Elk and Walnut Creek systems. The creek runs through Borough-of-North-East public access and the wooded reaches above; the lower mile is the most-fished water. Smaller stocking numbers than Elk, but consistent.
October through April with fall and spring peaks. Quieter than Elk Creek. Wadeable at most flows; clears within 24-36 hours of a rise. The optimal fishing flow on Twenty Mile Creek is 110–350 CFS — flows above this range are typically too high and stained, flows below run low and clear. The river's long-term median flow is approximately 20 CFS, computed from the last several years of USGS gauge readings.
Current conditions (live, updated every 15 minutes): flow 16 CFS, water 55.6°F, clarity clear. Steelhead Almanac's Guide's Report rates the river FAIR as of this reading.
Twenty Mile Creek has no dedicated USGS flow gauge.
Flow data is estimated from Walnut Creek, scaled by watershed area ratio (57 sq mi / 36 sq mi = 1.58x). Use as a rough guide, not a precise measurement. Weather and angler reports are specific to Twenty Mile Creek.
STORM WATCHING
SPC Marginal risk overhead. Gauges still calm.
Flow Rate (est.)
26
CFS ~
Gauge Height
-
ft
Water Temp
55.6
°F
Air Temp
68.6
°F
Clarity
Clear
Wind
🌬 Calm
≤5 mph
Last updated: 5 minutes ago (11:00 PM EDT)
Conditions today: Fair. Trending: improving. Storm watching.
Flow
Pressure
Air temp, scaled
Rain per hour
Storm pulse window
Hourly flow pending
Confidence: 0.27
Three days of nothing. 29 CFS held within 211%, water sat at 56°F, barometer barely moved. These are the days where the lake just shrugs at us. If the bite is on, no obvious reason. If it's off, also no obvious reason. Quiet sky on the way. Conditions should hold. Storm lifecycle says WATCHING. SPC Marginal risk overhead. Gauges still calm. This is a pre-storm read; conditions can change fast once rain reaches the gauge.
Lookback window Sep 10, 11 pm to Sep 13, 11 pm ET.
Data refresh every 15 min. This is a pattern read, not proof of causation; fish reserve the right to embarrass the spreadsheet.
Flow
Pressure
Air temp, scaled
Rain per hour
Storm pulse window
Hourly flow pending
Three days of nothing. 67 CFS held within 951%, water sat at 56°F, barometer barely moved. These are the days where the lake just shrugs at us. If the bite is on, no obvious reason. If it's off, also no obvious reason. Quiet sky on the way. Conditions should hold. Storm lifecycle says WATCHING. SPC Marginal risk overhead. Gauges still calm. This is a pre-storm read; conditions can change fast once rain reaches the gauge.
Lookback window Sep 6, 11 pm to Sep 13, 11 pm ET.
Data refresh every 15 min. This is a pattern read, not proof of causation; fish reserve the right to embarrass the spreadsheet.
Guide's Report
Based on current conditions as of Sun, Sep 13 at 11:00 PM EDT (5 minutes ago)
Running 16 CFS, water is clear, 56°F — active feeding range. Bring patience and low expectations — you might surprise yourself. Visibility is high. Stealth is your best friend. Bite may slow — pressure rising. The Bite Starts When You Have to Leave.
Twenty Mile Creek
Today's Weather: Fair
8% rain
N 13mph
Coming up: Sunny
Flow Rate
0
CFS
28th percentile · Typical
Summer mode - skinny but moving
24h trend
↘
-5.9%
Summer fishability window
31–150 CFS
Current-month middle flow band for warm-water fishing
72h movement
sharp fall (-74.7%)
Distance
skinny but moving
Low water — projection flat
Clouds
· 69°F
· NNE 5mph
30.00" ↗
Guide says:
Running 16 CFS, water is clear, 56°F — active feeding range. Bring patience and low expectations — you might surprise yourself. Visibility is high. Stealth is your best friend. Bite may slow — pressure rising. The Bite Starts When You Have to Leave.
"No Cure for Chrome"
Flow is low — fish are stacked in the deepest pools and runs. Approach carefully, they spook easy.
Clear water — steelhead can see everything, including you. Long leaders, lighter tippet (6lb fluoro), natural colors. Stay low and approach from downstream.
Water is on the warm edge (56°F) — fish are active but starting to think about dropping back. Fish dawn / late-evening windows.
How to Fish It
Technique
Fish are active in warmer water — swing flies, strip streamers, and cover water. Morning is best before temps climb too high.
Fly Selection
Clear water demands subtlety. Natural egg colors (Oregon cheese, pale peach), small stonefly nymphs (#12-#14), and pheasant tails. 6lb fluorocarbon tippet max.
Where to Fish
Low water concentrates fish. Target the deepest pools, undercut banks, and bridge pools. Steelhead will be stacked — find one, there's more. Tread lightly, they spook.
Timing
Get out early. First light to 10am is your window before water temps climb. Evening can produce a second bite as things cool.
Storm Context
STORM WATCHING
SPC Marginal risk overhead. Gauges still calm.
Rain is in the forecast window. Gauges may look innocent right now, but this is the part where the river starts making plans without telling us.
- - Front-load the trip before the weather arrives.
- - Bring rain gear and keep an eye on radar.
- - Re-check the gauge before committing to a longer drive.
What's Coming
Heavy rain is incoming — fish NOW. Current conditions are fishable but the river will blow out. This is your window.
Rigs to consider right now
Match the current report to a setup
Centerpin Sucker Spawn Rig
Presents small egg patterns naturally through clear, pressured water where drift quality matters.
Advanced
Indicator Nymphing Rig
Suspends nymphs at a repeatable depth while giving you a visible take signal.
Intermediate
River Float Rig
Keeps a natural offering drifting at the same pace as the current instead of dragging behind your line.
Beginner
Spey & Swing Rig
Covers water efficiently when fish are willing to move for a broadside fly.
Intermediate
Fall river plan
Twenty Mile Creek summer fishing targets
The river is in a transition window. Warm afternoons can turn on smallmouth and panfish while cooler pockets still matter.
Walleye
Where: lake mouths, harbor edges, deeper summer basin water, and low-light shoreline structure on Twenty Mile Creek.
Move: crawler harnesses, crankbaits, jigs, and evening presentations near moving water.
Species guide →Panfish
Where: docks, weed edges, ponds, marina slips, brush, and shaded shoreline structure on Twenty Mile Creek.
Move: small jigs, waxworms, micro poppers, and slip floats for kids or fast action.
Species guide →Northern Pike
Where: cooler weed edges, connected backwaters, tributary mouths, and ambush lanes on Twenty Mile Creek.
Move: spinnerbaits, spoons, jerkbaits, and quick releases when water warms.
Species guide →Current read
Water temp 55.6°F. Clarity is clear. Overall rating: Fair for steelhead. Use the graph below to time falling or stabilizing flows before committing a trip.
Summer FAQ
What can I fish for on Twenty Mile Creek in summer?
Focus on the warm-water species shown above, then use the live flow, clarity, and temperature read to choose shade, rock, current breaks, creek mouths, lakefront structure, and low-light windows.
Steelhead care
Should I target steelhead on Twenty Mile Creek in summer?
Usually no. When water is warm, shift to smallmouth, walleye, panfish, pike, or another summer target instead of pressuring stressed trout.
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7-Day Flow & Temperature
Flow distribution
1095-day history · n=1,961 · 84% confidence
Now vs history
94 CFS below optimal
Optimal window
110–350 CFS
Per-river researched optimal range
Typical range
14–42 CFS
25th–75th percentile
Seasonal context:
Current flow is below typical for September.
September median on this river: 53 CFS
(n=295 hourly samples).
Clarity vs flow ranges
Steelhead Green
likely now
14–38 CFS typical
Stained
390–548 CFS typical
Muddy
909–1,514 CFS typical
Below average:
Quieter than usual — stealth matters.
Sample quantiles
|
Theoretical line
Fair fit — tails diverge (66%)
Points on the dashed line mean the river's flow distribution is log-normal. Bows at the tails suggest multiple flow regimes (snowmelt vs rain events) or sensor artifacts. The math for this river uses log-space statistics, so a poor fit here is a reason to squint at the optimal zone.
Recent Angler Reports
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Near Twenty Mile Creek
Local Fly Shops & Guides
Featured
Frank's Tackle
Erie, PA · 18 mi
Local bait and tackle shop serving Erie steelhead and walleye anglers.
Westfield Charters Bait & Tackle
Westfield, NY · 12 mi
Bait, tackle, and Lake Erie charters for walleye, steelhead, and lake trout near Chautauqua Creek.
East End Angler
Erie, PA · 13 mi
Full-service bait and tackle between creek access points. Live bait, tackle, fish cleaning, and smoked steelhead exchange.
Keystone Fly Girl
Erie, PA · 18 mi
Licensed steelhead guide, Erie native. Steelhead, bass, panfish, and stocked trout. CPR/First Aid certified.
Gooses Steelhead Guide Service
Erie, PA · 18 mi
Half-day and full-day steelhead trips. Spin, fly, and centerpin methods. All gear provided except waders.
Erie Steelhead Outfitters
Erie, PA · 18 mi
Full-time fly fishing guide service covering OH, PA, and NY Lake Erie tributaries.
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30-Day Statistics
Min Flow
13 CFS
Max Flow
2,607 CFS
Avg Flow
126 CFS
Min Temp
55.6°F
Max Temp
55.6°F
Avg Temp
55.6°F
7-Day Fishing Outlook
Multiple days of heavy rain ahead — expect significant flow increases and muddy water. Plan trips for windows between rain events or 1-2 days after.
Best day to fish: Friday — Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
Monday is the day before rain moves in — barometric pressure drop often triggers aggressive feeding. Don't miss it.
Daily Fishing Forecast
Weather-based daily ratings — independent of current river flow. A "good" forecast day can still mean a blown-out river. Cross-reference with the Guide's Report above for a complete picture.
Today — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Dry conditions — flows should remain stable. Good day to target tailouts and runs.
NWS Forecast Detail
Tonight:
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind around 13 mph.
Monday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Dry conditions — flows should remain stable. Good day to target tailouts and runs.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Monday:
Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 3 to 10 mph.
Monday Night:
Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 2 to 9 mph.
Tuesday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Moderate rain will push flows up. Water may get stained to muddy — switch to bright flies and heavier weight.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Tuesday:
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 14 mph.
Tuesday Night:
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 7 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Moderate rain will push flows up. Water may get stained to muddy — switch to bright flies and heavier weight.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Wednesday:
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night:
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday — Angler's Report
fair fishing- Moderate rain will push flows up. Water may get stained to muddy — switch to bright flies and heavier weight.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Thursday:
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday Night:
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Friday:
A slight chance of rain showers before 2pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Friday Night:
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Saturday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Light rain will bump flows slightly and give overcast skies — steelhead feed aggressively in these conditions.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Saturday:
A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday Night:
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday — Angler's Report
good fishing- Light rain will bump flows slightly and give overcast skies — steelhead feed aggressively in these conditions.
- Warm for steelhead season — focus on early morning when water is coolest.
NWS Forecast Detail
Sunday:
A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Forecast via NWS, updated 4 minutes ago (11:00 PM EDT). Fishing ratings are estimates based on weather — always check current river conditions.
Recommended Gear
Clear water + low water + warmer temps — finesse tippet and natural patterns first.
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More on Twenty Mile Creek
Recent Storm Events
- August 30 - September 1 Alley Storm — Aug 30, 2026
- August 26-29 Alley Storm — Aug 26, 2026
- August 10 New York (Lake Ontario) & Ohio & Pennsylvania Storm — Aug 10, 2026
Species Profiles
- Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss
