Here we go again.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has issued an announcement that it plans to lower Leaser Lake's water level because of another leak (seepage) in the earthen dam.

The current water level at the lake is approximately 6.5 feet below full pool and will be lowered another 6.5 feet over the next two weeks.

The spillway at the lake's dam was completely rebuilt in 2012 however, during the refill process, PFBC engineers discovered a small seep in the earthen dam, which has kept the lake from being completely filled, says the agency.

According to their press release, the Commission plans to repair the leak between August and October and believes it can start refilling the lake by November. The lake, they say, can be raised approximately one to two feet per week depending on precipitation.

The lake, they predict, is expected to be fully refilled (barring any leakage) by the spring of 2015. The price of the construction is estimated at $100,000.

The Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation and Chairman George White requested that the PFBC postpone its planned repairs to the Leaser Lake Dam until November with the proposed drawdown of the lake to begin after September 2. Under the current project schedule, the 6.5-foot drawdown will start in the beginning of May with construction taking place in August or September. The current schedule will leave Leaser Lake partially drained during the entire spring and summer boating and fishing season.

Although the Lake's level is still 6.5 feet below capacity, canoes and kayaks have become commonplace at the lake and families have returned to the shoreline for weekend picnics in the park. However, the proposed drawdown will leave a muddy shoreline which will be inaccessible and a reduced lake which will provide little enjoyment for paddlers or fishermen.

Considering the potential impact to recreation, local economy and public opinion, the Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation feels that it would be advantageous to delay the planned repairs until November so that the lake can be enjoyed during this spring and summer. Following construction, the lake can be refilled and should be near capacity for the beginning of the 2015 trout fishing season.

Multiple partners contributed $115,000 toward habitat improvement at the lake, whereupon a variety of structures were built on the lakes' floor. Partners for this included the national Reservoir Fisheries Habitat Partnership, PA Lake Management Society, Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation and the PFBC.

John Arway, PFBC Executive Director said in a prepared release that although the lake is not at full level, it remains open for public use including the use of canoes and kayaks but not trailered boats because there's no water at the launch ramps.

Leaser Lake was built in 1971 and is surrounded by 536 acres that are county owned. But the lake itself is owned by the state. It is Lehigh County's largest body of water and the only sizable recreation area in the county.

WALLEYE SEASON OPENED

The walleye season in Pennsylvania opened May 3 with less fanfare than trout or bass season. And as far as popularity is concerned, the PFBC claims that walleye fishing ranks fourth behind trout, black bass and panfish in popularity.

While that may be true, walleye, in my humble opinion, ranks second only to crappie insofar as table fare is concerned. And some anglers may even rank walleye as number one taste-wise.

Fried in peanut oil, Walleye's snow-white flaky meat offers superb dining.

Now that I've extolled about their tastiness, you're probably wondering where's the best bet for catching some. On the local scene there's good walleye populations in Blue Marsh Lake in Berks County and Lake Nockamixon in Bucks County. The Delaware River, particularly at Walpack bend area, has always been a good walleye spot but because of heavy rains, the river may not be fishable for a few days. You may also pick up a shad or two in the same area.

The Lehigh River holds a small population but fishing for them here can be tough as most walleye are caught by accident when anglers are fishing for stocked trout or smallmouth bass.

Best baits during the spring spawn are 1/4-3/8 ounce jigs in chartreuse-orange, chartreuse-green and pure chartreuse tipped with a 3-inch fatheads or shiners.

Later on when waters warm, "eye" anglers switch to small crankbaits like Rapalas and other minnow replicas. Casting to shoreline timber or downed trees be it in rivers or lakes is often productive.

In lakes walleye like areas below dams or backwaters and in rivers holes, breaklines, wing dams and eddies adjacent to bridge abutments, say the walleye experts. They add that walleye bites in spring are often very light and sometimes you won't even know you've been bit.