Northwest Region
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, and panfish throughout the lake. With the cooling of the water temperatures, the fishing should be heating up. The fall foliage is in full swing, so get out on the water and enjoy.
Shenango River
The Shenango River Outflow has now been designated as a catch and release zone for all species. There is a DO NOT EAT Advisory for the section of river from Mercer County and Lawrence County. The fall trout stocking that usually occurs in the section from the dam in Sharpsville to the Walnut Street Bridge did not occur this year. The river section from the New Hamburg Bridge downstream was stocked instead. That section of the river could not have been stocked without the help of the Shenango River Watchers for the use of their boats, the Laurel High School’s Conservation Club for their donation of the use of float boxes, and the US Army Corp of Engineers for their assistance.
Central Erie County
Lake Erie
Anglers are catching a few Walleye and Yellow Perch when the conditions on the lake allow.
Steelhead Tributaries
The East side streams of 4 Mile, 7 Mile, and 20 Mile have good numbers of Steelhead in them. 12 Mile and 16 Mile have a few Steelhead, but the numbers are low. These two streams need a good rain to blow out the mouths. The West Side streams ALL have a good number of Steelhead in them. On Elk Creek, the Steelhead are all the way to I-79. On Walnut Creek from the Manchester Hole to the lake is loaded with Steelhead. Crooked Creek also has a good number of Steelhead. The water conditions have been low and clear due to no rain; however, the forecast is calling for a lot of rain this week. Check out the USGS Gauge on Walnut Creek to see when the creeks are fishable.
Northeasatern Region
Eastern Bradford County
North Branch Susquehanna River
Smallmouth bass, rock bass and channel cats are still active on the North Branch Susquehanna River between Wyalusing and Sayre.
Northern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
Lake Wallenpaupack
The bass fishing has been good at Lake Wallenpaupack over the past month with some nice five and six-pound largemouth bass caught during some of the bass tournaments. The perch and catfish are also doing well in the lake, mostly being caught on some type of live bait.
Shohola Lake
Shohola Lake is also a good place to fish for those large bass and the water levels have returned to normal pool.
Lackawaxen River
The Lackawaxen River has been stocked with a fresh supply of trout for those nice fall day fishing excursions.
The boating season is ending. Boaters venturing out on the water should be aware of the falling water temps. Life jackets are not only a good thing to wear but it’s the law come November 1st. Be safe and always come home those who love you.
Lackawanna County
Northern Susquehanna County
North Branch Susquehanna River
Smallmouth bass, walleye and an occasional musky are being taken on the North Branch Susquehanna River between Great Bend and Oakland.
Northern Wayne County
Fishing pressure has been low in the area. However, those anglers that have been out fishing are doing well, especially for trout.
Prompton Dam, Duck Harbor Pond and Delaware River
Smallmouth bass and walleye are biting at Prompton Dam, Duck Harbor Pond and on the Delaware River.
Northcentral Region
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Tioga County
Hamilton Lake
Trout were stocked late last week. Anglers are catching trout using dough baits in the colors of chartreuse and rainbow. Various spoons and spinners are also working.
Anglers are catching bass on most of the local lakes. Jerkbaits, crankbaits, various soft plastics, and live shiners are all working. Many of the bass are moving to deeper water. Current water temperatures are around 59/60 in the morning, warming to 62/63 in the afternoon.
Tioga, Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes
Anglers are catching Crappie using fathead minnows, and small twister tails or tubes. Most are being caught in 8-15 feet of water.
Elk County
Laurel Run Reservoir
Fall is a great time to be out on the water! Anglers are still catching trout across the county this week. With recent rain events and trout stockings at Laurel Run Reservoir, fishing should be good this weekend. Get out and wet a line!
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Much needed rain has rolled into the region. The rain should help with current low water conditions and help to increase trout activity. Water temperature is in the 50s.
Fishing in the early morning hours, using nymphs is still working best. Anglers are catching trout using mayfly, stonefly and caddis nymphs (e.g. Prince #12-16; gold bead pheasant tail #12-18; Prince #12-16; green weenie #12-16).
During or after the rain events, make sure you try a few streamers. Sculpin patterns, slump busters or sculp snacks (#6-10) are working well.
Centre County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are catching bass and Crappie. Minnows, twister tails, crankbaits, soft plastics and tubes are working. Anglers are having luck near the causeway and at Hunter Run Cut. Anglers are also catching panfish at the spillway.
Bald Eagle Creek
Anglers are catching bass on lower Bald Eagle Creek using streamers, crankbaits and soft plastics.
Spring Creek
Rain has rolled into the County and more is predicted for over this coming weekend. The rain should help with the current low water conditions. Water temperature is in the 50s. Fishing should be good throughout the week and over the weekend.
Anglers are catching trout throughout the day, using nymphs (e.g. green weenie, hot spot sow bug, olive scuds, small mayfly patterns, midge larvae patterns).
Dry dropper systems continue to work well (e.g. caddis on top and a wet ant or green weenie underneath).
Blue Wing Olives(#18-22) and Tan Caddis (#14-16)dry flies will catch trout that are rising sporadically.
Make sure you have a few olive and/or black streamer patterns to throw during or just after the rain events!
Southeastern Region
Boaters throughout the Souteast Region are reminded as we move through late fall, that a US Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is required to be worn from November 1 – April 30, while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.
Berks County
Lake Ontelaunee
Local Anglers at Lake Ontelaunee are reporting great success catching White Perch and Crappie out of the Route 73 Quarry Hole. With the temperatures getting lower and the days shorter the best fishing is first thing in the morning. Try using plastic grubs on Jig heads down deep in the Quarry Hole to entice the numerous pan fish out of the depths.
Bucks County
Nockamixon Lake
Anglers are reporting that the fish are moving into deeper water as the aquatic vegetation begins to die off for the year at Nockamixon Lake. Less shallow-water cover makes it a challenge to locate bass, so try deeper water structure, both natural and artificial. Large Crappie schools are common, anglers are reporting boating a good number of smaller adults, with the occasional large trophy-size adults.
Bow fishing action continues into the fall time as fish become easier to locate in the shallows as the aquatic vegetation dies off. Anglers engaging in lawful bow fishing should remember to take their fish with them when leaving PA State Park Property. Only carp, catfish and suckers may be taken with a bow and arrow. Please refer to this regulation:
BOW AND ARROW (including compound bows and crossbows) may be used for taking ONLY carp, suckers and catfish on all Commonwealth waters, day or night, except in Stocked Trout Waters during the closed season and in Special Regulation Waters.
East Branch Perkiomen Creek section 2 and Levittown Lake
Due to high water temperatures, the fall trout stocking on the East Branch Perkiomen Creek section 2 and Levittown Lake were rescheduled for October 25th. Please visit the Commission’s Trout Stocking page for more information.
Little rain in the eastern half of the state has brought the non-tidal Delaware River to low and clear conditions. Recreational boating activity is reducing, so hit the pools that you may have passed over during the summer months of busy boating traffic. Anglers are enjoying fishing for small-mouth bass in now quiet boating pools like Upper Black Eddy, Byrum and Bull’s Island.
Southern Chester County
White Clay Middle Branch
The White Clay Middle Branch Section 3, Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Section, from Good Hope Road Bridge to the mouth, will be stocked with trout on Tuesday November 2nd. We will meet the truck at noon on the London Tract Road Bridge. This is the section of stream listed as Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters. The public is encouraged to please come out and help the Commission stock.