Northwest Region
Butler County
Lake Arthur
Hybrid Striped Bass season is in full swing. Most access areas are productive from shore. Try shiny stick baits. Anglers are reporting the best times for strikes are from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Central Erie County
Presque Isle Bay
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass have been the target by large numbers of bass anglers in the bay the last month. Really nice bass have been observed at weigh-ins.
Lake Erie
Yellow Perch have been spotty but the latest reports have them in 53 feet of water between 8 & 12 Mile Creeks. Some Walleye have been caught in the perch pack as well.
Eastern Erie County
Anglers are reporting some panfish being taken at Eaton Reservoir, Lake LeBoeuf, and Lake Pleasant. The bait of choice is still grubs and minnows.
Venango County
Allegheny River
Anglers are reporting catching several nice Smallmouth Bass throughout the Franklin area when the water and weather cooperate. Tubes, flukes, and a few smaller jerk baits or crankbaits seem to be the ticket when the bass hit.
Justus Lake
Anglers are reporting catching several nice Tiger Muskellunge and Rainbow Trout recently. They are also reporting Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass being caught in the shallows on frogs or buzz baits late in the evening or early morning.
Northeastern Region
Bass Season started on June 18 and anglers are reminded to check their 2016 Pennsylvania Summary Book for current seasons, sizes and creel limits. Anglers should be aware that certain waterways have special regulations; once again you can check this in your 2016 Pennsylvania Summary Book to check the specific regulations for any lake, river or stream you plan on fishing. An online version of the 2016 Summary Book can be found at this link: http://fishinpa.com
Much needed rain has fallen the past couple days in the region. Streams had been very low and clear but the rain has recharged many of them. Many streams still have a lot of trout left but anglers need to use stealth and fish as the sun is rising or setting. The remaining trout in the stocked trout waters have been fished over and the ones left have been educated by other anglers. Try using light lines, standing away from the banks, using trees to break you silhouette and wear earth tone colors. Using a ‘hunters’ mentality this time of year can pay off!
Monroe County
Angling and small boating action is heating up with the increase in temperatures. Largemouth Bass are hitting well on the plastic baits. The number one color to use has been black with gold or silver fleck. Make sure to get out and enjoy the great fishing!
This Osprey wasn’t going to wait on Bass Season to start! This was photographed in April around the Opening Day of Trout season.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Beechwood Lake
Anglers are catching lots of Walleye using stick baits and night crawlers.
Anglers are also catching bass using top water lures, jigs and plastics. Pickerel are being caught using shad shaped crank baits.
Cowanesque Lake
Last week the bite was slow with temperatures in the 40s at night and 80s during the day. Now that the weather has warmed up and settled down, the fishing is improving.
Anglers are catching bass using jigs and plastics. Anglers, targeting bass, are also catching musky using live bait and large crank baits.
Hammond Lake
Anglers are catching bass, Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Walleye. Night crawlers are working best for Walleye and Yellow Perch.
Anglers are catching bass using top water lures, spinner and crank baits.
Pickerel are being caught using shad shaped crank baits. Crappies are being caught using minnow imitation, stick baits.
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers are catching bass and pickerel. Bass are hitting top water lures and shiners. Pickerel are being caught using crank baits.
Tioga Lake and Spillway
The warm water temperatures have increased Channel Catfish activity. Anglers are catching Channel Catfish using cut bait.
Upper Pine Creek (Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only)
The water is low and the temperatures are between 69-76F.
Anglers are catching trout using blue wing olives and caddis patterns, size 16-18. Terrestrial patterns are also catching fish on the surface.
A few anglers caught Smallmouth Bass using isonychia nymphs and small wooly buggers.
Cameron County
Streams across the county are low and clear. Anglers are catching trout in deep pools and shade lines.
The crayfish are “molting” now. Anglers are catching fish using crayfish lures and crayfish.
REMINDER – If you are using crayfish as bait, the head must be immediately removed behind the eyes, upon capture, unless it will be used as bait in the water from which is was taken from.
Lycoming County
Rose Valley Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegill and Yellow Perch using a variety of baits. Red worms and wax worms are working best.
A few anglers are catching Walleye using minnows.
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching bass using crank baits and minnows. A few are having luck using top water lures as well.
Anglers are seeing and catching musky. A few musky are being caught by anglers targeting bass using large crank baits.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Low, clear water means anglers need to use stealth when approaching favorite fishing locations.
Anglers are catching trout using small, lightweight nymphs (e.g. bead head pheasant tail; bead head green weenie; bead head prince nymph, dark stone flies) throughout the day. When trout are rising, early morning and late evening, use dry flies (e.g. tan caddis, light cahill, midges, blue wing olives).
On sunny days, target shade lines and deep pools with lots of cover.
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching catfish and Yellow Perch below the Lock Haven dam. Baits of choice are minnows, lures and night crawlers.
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Bluegill. Bait of choice is red worms, wax worms and live minnows.
Anglers are catching bass using crank baits and live minnows.
Catfish are also being caught using live minnows and lures.
Penns Creek
Penns Creek is currently low and clear with temperatures in the 60s. In areas with lower water, the temperatures are higher.
Anglers are catching trout using small, lightweight nymphs (e.g. pheasant tail; prince nymphs, hares ear, dark stoneflies, green weenies) throughout the day. Blue quill mayflies are hatching and trout are actively eating them when they are present.
Trout are rising in the early morning and late evening. When fish are rising use dry flies (e.g. tan caddis, isonychia, light cahill, midges, blue wing olives).
Spring Creek
Water flow and water temperatures (50s) are stable. The water is clear, so approach your favorite locations with stealth.
Anglers are catching trout using small nymphs throughout the day (e.g. pheasant tail, bead head Frenchie, black zebra midge larvae, walt’s worm, sow bugs, green weenie).
With summer in full swing, anglers are also catching trout using terrestrials (e.g. ants, beetles).
Keep an eye on water levels and temperatures here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?site_no=01546500
Southeastern Region
Chester County
Marsh Creek Lake
Bluegills and crappies are taking mealworms and wax worms, minnows and small jigs. Bass are taking live bait (worms & minnows) as well as jigs, spinners and crankbaits. The best rubber worm colors to use are black, purple or dark green and pumpkin seed. The best live baits are crayfish, minnows and nightcrawlers.
Streams
The French Creek, Pickering Creek, East Brandywine Creek, and West Valley Creek had average water levels last week with plenty of trout and very few anglers fishing for them. Water temps are in the high 60s. Fly anglers have reported taking trout on caddis, midges and a few taken on sulfurs. Small pheasant tail and hares ears nymphs are a good bet for nymph anglers. Remember, you may never have bait in your possession in any of the Special Regulation Areas. The Fly Fishing Area is catch & release only, and you may not possess bait in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Areas or Fly Fishing Only Areas.
Schuylkill River
Black Rock area: Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass fishing has been good this season with bass taking spinners and worms. Note: You must stay 100’ away from the fish ladder at the Black Rock Dam. Respect the river & wear a PFD while onboard a boat. Catfish anglers are catching large Channel Catfish and are also getting into Flathead Catfish as well.