Northwest Region
Butler County
Harbor Acres Lake (SGL 95)
The lake was stocked on 10/26 with a very nice allotment of Brown Trout from the Corry Hatchery. These are very nice sized trout with an average of 12-14 inches and there were some larger! Hunt in the morning and fish in the afternoon. Harbor Acres Lake area offers the best of both worlds.
Lake Arthur
Yellow Perch have been biting. Anglers should try fishing the Old 422 roadbed at the Old Rt. 422 access area or the Rt. 528 access. Channel Catfish are being caught from shore and from boat. A fat night crawler off of the bottom has been successful.
Forest County
Tionesta Outflow
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed the work at the Tionesta Outflow and is now open to public fishing from the wall. Please note that the ramp leading to the creek remains closed as does the walkway leading to the campground.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Fishing is starting to pick up with the cooler temperatures. The water levels that were down due to the winter draw down, are now up because of all the rain. This may be the last time to view the fall foliage around the lake before all the leaves disappear.
Shenango River
The Shenango Outflow down to the Walnut Street Bridge was stocked with trout in early October. A reminder that this area is designated as a year round trout fishery, so a current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish that area regardless of species of fish that you are targeting or harvesting. Plenty of fishing opportunities are still available. The creel limit for trout this time of year is 3 fish. Don’t forget that mandatory Personal Flotation Device wear will be in effect starting November 1st through April 30th for boats less than 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks.
Northeasatern Region
Fall trout stockings are in full swing throughout the region but some dates have recently changed. Please check the online stocking schedule for updates and changes to the stocking list, the stocking schedule can be found at the following link: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Boaters are reminded that that beginning November 1 and lasting through April 30, they are required to wear a life jacket while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or on any canoe or kayak.
Northern Columbia and Luzerne Counties
Temperatures have dropping dramatically over the past week and there is no denying that the cold of winter will soon be upon us. Now is a good time to do some basic maintenance to your boat and motor so that things will be ready to go next spring.
Fog your motor. Simply run the motor until it starts to warm up and then inject fogging oil until it stalls out. This will protect your pistons and cylinder walls during storage.
Change the lower unit oil on all outboards. Use this opportunity to inspect the oil for signs of problems. Some traces of metal are not really cause for concern as they may indicate normal wear. If you are finding larger chunks and metal shavings this may indicate that you may need to take a closer look inside the gear case. Water in your oil can cause it to appear milky or may be present settled out. If you find signs of water in your oil you need to take a good look at the seal on the shaft behind the prop.
Pull the batteries and place them in a cool, dry location. Place them on a board or plastic shelf instead of just storing directly on a concrete floor. Batteries should never be stored directly on concrete.
Items made out of rope or foam (anchor lines, dock lines, life jackets, seat cushions, etc.) should be removed from storage on the vessel. This will allow them to become and stay dry over the winter. It will also protect them from rodents seeking nesting materials and insulation for bedding. Take the time to inspect lines and life jackets for signs of wear or damage. Replace these items or repair as necessary.
Treat any gas left in the vessel for ethanol and to prevent gumming. And finally, remove your fire extinguisher and store in an area that will protect it from repeated freeze/thaw cycles. Metal bodied extinguishers with plastic valves on top are susceptible to pressure loss when exposed to temperature extremes.
When all of this is done, grab your vest and your rods and head on out to your favorite waterway. Autumn is a great time for fishing and the bite always gets better as fish prepare for a long winter fasting.
Southern Luzerne and Southern Columbia Counties
Fishing and boating pressure throughout the district has been light due to the hunting seasons.
The Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River has been producing some respectable bass and walleye. Soft plastics and crankbaits have been the bests bet.
Lily Lake
Lily Lake has received a fall stocking of brook trout. There are plenty of fish to be caught in this waterway.
Lake Irena
The Lake Irena stocking has been postponed and rescheduled for November 09. The lake will also receive brook trout.
Trout anglers are reminded that the daily limit is three in Stocked Trout Waters and none in other Commonwealth waterways.
DHALO section of the Nescopeck Creek
The DHALO section of the Nescopeck Creek continues to be a productive spot for trout. However, the fly fishing can be challenging because of the falling leaves on the water.
Some anglers that are not out fishing or hunting this fall may want to prep their ice fishing gear and safety equipment. Winter ice fishing is right around the corner.
Northcentral Region
Fall trout stockings are occurring at select waterways across the state! Check out a stream near you – Fall Stocking Schedule
Reminder – The Mandatory Life Jacket Requirement began November 1 and lasts through April 30. Boaters are required to wear a life jacket while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or on any canoe or kayak. The requirement applies to all Pennsylvania waters.
Tioga County
Cowanesque Lake
Currently the lake is dirty and has lots of floating debris. The eastern part of the lake has about 3 feet of visibility. The water temperature is between 49-52F. Despite tough fishing conditions a few anglers are catching bass.
Hills Creek Lake
Anglers are catching bass and pickerel using jigs and jerkbaits.
Hamilton Lake
Trout are being caught using mealworms, waxworms and various spinners.
Pine Creek
Trout and bass are being caught using streamers and nymphs.
Potter County
Lyman Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and other panfish on small jigs and live bait.
Trout are being caught using jigs and live bait. Anglers are occasionally catching bass using plastics and live bait.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Currently water levels are low. That may change over the next few days if the area gets rain. Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. small mayfly or stonefly nymphs; caddis fly larvae patterns).
A few anglers are catching trout using streamers in deeper pools and near banks.
West Branch Susquehanna River
Anglers are catching Smallmouth bass using small streamers and slow poppers. The bite has slowed down a bit, but bass are still being caught!
Bass are also being caught using spinners. Spend time in the deeper pools.
Centre County
Bald Eagle Creek
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. beadhead pheasant tail, green weenie). The trout are holding tight to the bottom. Make sure your nymph(s) are on or just above the stream bottom.
Streamer patterns, spinners and live minnows are working in deeper pools.
Spring Creek
The water level has returned to normal levels. Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (e.g. pheasant tails, green weenie, sow bugs, black zebra midge).
Anglers are also catching trout using small streamers (e.g. size 6-10; olive or black colors).
Anglers, using spinning gear, are catching trout on lower Spring Creek.
Southeastern Region
Bucks County
Levittown Lake
Anglers are catching trout on wax worms & minnows.
Lake Luxembourg
Anglers have been catching Largemouth Bass on crankbaits, jigs & plastic worms.
Nockamxion Lake
Try deeper crankbaits and jigs in deeper water around the dam and other deeper pools for Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass.
Neshaminy Creek
Brown Bullheads and American Eels have been taking nightcrawlers from the creek in the evening around the Tyler State Park section. Panfish are still taking worms under bobbers.
Philadelphia County
Pennypack Creek
Trout have been taking paste bait, wax worms, mealworms, small jigs and spinners. Rock Bass and Bluegills are also biting in the mix.