Northwest Region
REMINDER – Mandatory Cold Weather Life Jacket Wear began on November 1, 2017 and runs through April 30, 2018.
Learn more here: http://www.fishandboat.com/Boat/BoatingRegulations/Pages/MandatoryPFD.aspx
Clarion County
Kahle Lake
Anglers are catching Bluegill, crappies, and Yellow Perch.
Piney Dam and the Upper Clarion River
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and a few Walleye in the area upstream of the PFBC Mill Creek Access Area.
Lower Clarion River
Anglers are catching a few Muskellunge and Northern Pike near the confluence with the Allegheny River.
Allegheny River (Emlenton to Lock #9)
The PFBC’s Parker City access area is open. The PFBC Brady’s Bend access area remains closed due to the accumulation of river ice and debris from the flooding that recently occurred there. The PFBC maintenance crews will have the access area cleaned up and open by late March. Anglers are catching Northern Pike, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass in the Parker area.
Redbank Creek
Anglers are catching Northern Pike and a few Walleye near the dam in New Bethlehem. Some anglers are catching Northern Pike and a few Muskellunge at the confluence with the Allegheny River.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Anglers are catching crappie around the lake. Once the water temperatures warm up, the fishing should start heating up. Walleye season went out on Commonwealth Waters March 15.
Northeastern Region
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is providing a free Fly Fishing Introduction Program on Saturday, April 21 from 10am to 2:30pm at Lackawanna State Park in Lackawanna County. Preregistration is required! For more information and to pre-register please visit: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/120530
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is providing a free Women’s Fly Fishing Introduction Program on Saturday, May 5 from 10am to 2:30pm at Frances Slocum State Park in Luzerne County. Preregistration is required! For more information and to pre-register please visit: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/121528
Beltzville State Park will be hosting a Basic Boating Course on April 21 from 9 am to 5 pm. There is no charge for the course, but all participants must pre-register. Persons interested in taking the course should contact Beltzville State Park at 610-377-0045. The boating safety certificate is required of all operators of a personal watercraft (PWCs) or anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who operate a motorboat of more than 25 horsepower.
Monroe County
On community lakes, ice has begun to form at edges once again. Albeit, it is scum ice and very unsafe. Coupled with the cold temperatures and that has kept all anglers off the lakes and impoundments.
But on the delayed harvest areas of the McMichael’s Creek had on the water and casting and on the water as it is open to fishing all year round. Please check your Summary Guide or http://www.fishinpa.com/ for full rules and regulations on this special regulation section.
Northcentral Region
Get your 1, 3, 5 OR 10 YEAR FISHING LICENSE ONLINE NOW – http://www.gonefishingpa.com/
REMINDER – NOVEMBER 1st – APRIL 30th it is MANDATORY COLD WEATHER LIFE JACKET WEAR – http://www.fishandboat.com/boat/boatingregulations/pages/mandatorypfd.aspx
Trout stocking schedules are UP! – http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Tioga County
Trout are being stocked County wide by PFBC and local sportsman clubs.
Pine Creek
The Delayed Harvest Area, from Darling Run down to Owasee, is now listed as a Keystone Select waterway. 40 volunteers showed up to help float stock this entire stretch! Huge Rainbows and Browns were stocked along with lots other trout. This section of water is open to year-round fishing and remains under the delayed harvest, artificial lures only regulations.
Learn more about PA’s Keystone Select waters:pfbc.pa.gov/fishpub/summaryad/delayedartificial.html
Hamilton & Hills Creek Lake
It looked like ice fishing season was over a few weeks ago; however, the continued cold weather has rebuilt ice on Hamilton and Hills Creek Lakes. Angers are catching Yellow Perch and Crappie.
NOTE – Some areas only have skim ice and/or no ice at all. Anglers should observe the ice conditions prior to going out on it. Take safety gear with you and spud your way out to the location you want to fish. Avoid areas of incoming water.
Tioga and Cowanesque Spillways
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch using slip bobber rigs with live minnows or worms. Small tubes and grubs are also working.
Centre County
Spring Creek
Water temperature is in the 40s and water levels are perfect.
Anglers are catching trout using nymphs (Bird of Prey Caddis #14-16; Walt’s Worms #12-16; hot spot sow bug #14-16 and black zebra midges #18-22). Be sure to target stream banks, structure, and current breaks.
Blue Wing Olives are around and a few fish are feeding on them both below the water and on top! Anglers are catching trout using dry flies (Blue Wing Olive #18-22; Midges #22-26)
Anglers are also catching trout using Baetis emergers (#18-22)!
A few anglers are still catching trout using olive or black streamers near the current breaks and banks (slumpbusters #6-10).
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Water temperature is in the lower 40s and water levels are good. The water color is also good!
Trout are hungry! Anglers are catching trout using streamers (black or olive) and nymphs (iron lotus #14-18; Frenchie #14-16; Prince nymph #12-16).
Keep an eye out of Blue Wing Olives as well!
Southeastern Region
The SE Regional Mentored Youth Trout Day is coming this Saturday, March 24!
S. Chester County
N. Bucks County
Mentored Youth Day is almost here!
http://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingRegulations/Pages/MentoredYouthProgram.aspx
Take part in the Commission’s Mentored Youth Trout Days. Youth under the age of 16 can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current fishing license and trout permit to fish on Saturday, March 24 in N. Bucks County. Please check the online Adult Trout Stocking list to be sure your stream has been stocked before you head out on Mentored Youth Day!
http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
In Bucks County, only Lake Luxembourg, Levittown Lake, Unami Creek, E. Branch Perkiomen Creek Section 2 will be stocked with trout in time for Mentored Youth Day.
The streams that WILL NOT be stocked with trout until the week after Mentored Youth Day are: all of Neshaminy Creek (Sections 2-Valley Road & 4-Tyler State Park), Tohickon Creek, and both sections of the Delaware Canal.
In-Season Trout Stocking: There are plenty of opportunities to come out and lend a hand in getting the trout stocked in Bucks County. Please see link above to come out and help stock your favorite stream with trout! If inclement weather is predicted, always check our website before you head out. Cancellations due to weather or flooded water conditions will be made to our website as soon as a stocking is rescheduled.
Lancaster County
As anglers look forward with excitement and enthusiasm to opening day, be respectful on the lands that they fish. Carry-out any trash, i.e. bait containers, monofilament, hook packages, etc. Additionally, the privilege to camp and have a campfire on private property can only be lawfully done with the landowner’s consent. Refer to page 9 of the 2018 Pennsylvania Fishing Summary for additional property regulations. Anglers should be conscientious in where they are parking their vehicles, so as not to block the ingress or egress of the land owner, damage the property turf or create a traffic hazard. Approximately 75% of lands where trout are stocked in the Commonwealth are privately owned.
Safety Reminder For Boating Anglers: Anglers who may opt to cast a line from a boat on Muddy Run Lake are reminded that mandatory PFD Wear regulations remain in effect until 30 April.
** all boats under 16 feet, and all canoes and kayaks irrespective of length.[www.fishandboat.com for additional information on fishing and boating regulations] The current water temperatures can result in cold-water shock and hypothermia. As always, BOAT SMART – BOAT SAFE.
Posted Property Advisories
Little Beaver Creek – Little Beaver Creek is effectively posted so as to restrict Sunday Fishing. This lawful restriction will be enforced under the provisions of section 2104 of the Code.
Big Beaver Creek – No Sunday Fishing is in effect at 1930 Beaver Valley Pike. At the Lower Limit, the property at 153 Smithville Road remains posted.
West Branch Octoraro Creek – the property at 95 Hollow Road, Quarryville remains posted.
Stewart Run – Anglers are advised that the property downstream of Naomi’s Bridge may be posted to restrict fishing in 2019. The landowner has reported litter to include bait containers and monofilament.
Little Chiques Creek – The property that extends to the western edge of Cove Outlook Park remains posted in the near proximity to the Run-Of-The-River Dam.
Donegal Creek Catch & Release – Fly -Fishing Only: The property at 1480 Long Lane [at the defined Lower Limit] has been posted, anglers are thus cautioned that they are subject to being cited for trespassing.
Northampton County
With the nice weather over this past weekend, anglers were out fishing the Lehigh River around the Rte. 33 boat launch catching Chain Pickerel in the 12” range. On the Bushkill Creek in the Catch and Release section anglers noted midges were hatching. Wet flies seemed to be favored over dry flies by those fishing this section. Anglers were also seen fishing in the Delaware River at the Lehigh confluence for bass without much luck. For those who are planning on attending Mentored Youth Day this Saturday 3/24, as of current these are the streams in Northampton County that HAVE been stocked.
Hokendauqua Creek
Indian Creek
Monocacy Creek
Little Bushkill Creek
Bushkill Creek
Lehigh Canal in Walnutport
Lehigh Canal in Freemansburg
Lehigh Canal in Bethlehem
Northampton County
Earlier this week, PFBC staff stocked the Upper Wissahickon in Montgomery Co. The weather was cold and bitter and it was in the beginning of the fourth Nor’easter we have had this spring. Unfortunately, due to the storm, the Lower Wissahickon in Philadelphia County was not stocked on Wednesday. This stocking will happen on Saturday, March 24. This stocking will coincide with the annual Mentored Youth Fishing Day. The Waterways Conservation Officers will be meeting two stocking trucks at Northwestern Ave and Forbidden Dr. at 1230. Although the fish won’t be in the stream until the afternoon, this Saturday stocking will create an opportunity for those who don’t normally get to participate of help with a stocking. Looking forward to seeing many young anglers out fishing on Saturday!