Both Walnut and Elk Creek are on the west side of Erie Pennsylvania. Each creek receives a massive amount a stocking support from the state and private organizations. The target number is a little over 1 million smolts stocking during the spring - However there have been yearly dips due to smolt availabilty due to problems at the hatcheries in 2024. Also, there have been variations in the strains stocked through out the years.
Steelhead can be found in the creeks September through May. Both creeks have seen increasing posting and restrictions of public access each season.
In Pennsylvania the land owner can restrict access and creeks and streams unless they are marked as "navigable" by the state. There are no navigable waterways in Erie county.
These creeks are extremely small watersheds and will blow out quickly and then drop to low and clear, just as fast.
The USGS maintains a reporting station on Walnut creek that is suitable for measuring conditions on both creeks. The best conditions are after spike in flow when the flow is leveling out.