Northeast Pennsylvania

Carbon County

Pohopoco Creek – Although most of the approved trout waters have been receiving little to no fishing pressure, anglers fishing the Pohopoco Creek have been reporting good results catching trout in recent weeks.  The most successful anglers have been on the water during the early morning or evening hours.

Lehigh River – Anglers have also reported doing well catching smallmouth bass and trout on the Lehigh River from Weissport to the Bowmanstown Pool area of the river.  Spinners and stick bait type lures appeared to work the best.  Night time fishing activities have been providing good catfish and eel action.

Mauch Chuck Lake – Bass action still remains good at Mauch Chunk Lake.   Boat anglers have been reporting catching nice size perch and crappies as well.  Jigs tipped with a minnow appeared to work the best.

Beltzville Lake – Anglers have had good bass action in the upper areas of the Preachers Camp boat access.  Striped bass action has been good in the early morning or evening hours near the Pine Run boat access and the upper reaches of the Preachers Camp boat access.  A number of anglers fishing chicken livers have reported good results catching striped bass and catfish.

Western Bradford & Sullivan County

Susquehanna River– Anglers have been successful targeting bass on the upper reaches of the Susquehanna River. Green plastics on jig heads are consistently catching bass and should be the first choice of lure for anglers searching for bass.

Northern Wayne County

Northern Wayne County has fishing has exploded!  Reports of huge largemouth bass in the early morning hours have been received from various areas of the district.  Rubber worms, top water lures and large live bait have been the baits of choice.  Channel catfish are becoming very active in the area rivers as well.  Chicken livers and hotdogs have been enticing some rather large channel cats into a feeding frenzy.

Miller Pond – The panfish are active at Miller Pond, a simple bobber and worm will do the trick most anytime of the day or night.

Delaware River – The smallmouth bass fishing is “HOT” on the Upper Delaware River.  Small spinners and clippers are proving some incredible action.

Monroe County

Private community lakes have seen a huge increase in boating this past weekend. Most boats enjoying the great weather were unpowered vessels. Unfortunately, most did not have the required life jackets for their passengers. Remember, you need one wearable life jacket for each person on board and children under the age of 13 must wear while underway.

Northwest Pennsylvania

Butler County

Lake Arthur – The wildlife propagation area in Swamp Run has been opened substantially for boating and fishing.  The new restricted area is located at the back end of the finger, and is marked with “Keep out” buoys and floating orange markers.  Since opening in the last couple of weeks, anglers have reported fantastic fishing.  Large Channel Cats and crappie are hitting minnows trailed behind bobbers the moment they hit the water!  This area is full of old stumps and root systems which wreak havoc on angler’s lines.  Try using a high test line, and get those fish landed quickly before they can retreat to the roots or else you will lose many of those battles. Nice catches of day time walleye have been observed off of Nealey’s Point on the North Shore.  Anglers are making very slow trolls or wind drifting over the drop-off with a worm harness.  Various colors of crank baits have also been successful. 

Thorn Run Reservoir – Only have an hour or two to wet a line?  Try the upper end of Thorn Run Reservoir at Love Road Bridge.  Late afternoon and early evening catches of bass have been reported.  Worms and minnows are favored.

Venango County

Allegheny River – The USGS water level gage in Franklin reads +/- 4’-03” and water temperature has dropped from 77° to 67° due to all the rain on July 27th and 28th. Smallmouth bass hookups continue. Local hotspots have been near the Walnut Islands, Oil City pool, and Witherup Island with successes reported on tube baits. Catfishing continues to be curtailed due to elevated water levels. Walleye harvests are being reported. Hot spots include the mouth of Stewart Run, Reno rapids, the mouth of Twomile Run, Foster Islands, and the Mill Creek eddy. Tube baits also provided success as well as crank baits and jigs within the more vegetated areas. The water temperature drop should provide continued success.

French Creek – Angling activity continues to increase. Heavier pressure areas have been around the old Amalie refinery, Sugarcreek Station, and Utica. Suckers have gathered in good numbers at the mouth of Sugar Creek just above its confluence with French Creek. Although generally a spring target species, some have begun taking advantage of this immediate opportunity. Many sucker anglers typically use “real”, not artificial, bait… worms, dough, et cetera. Suckers are bottom feeders, so use sinkers to get your bait down. Also, suckers generally tend to be good fighters. Have tackle worthy of the job. Many recommend 6-8# test. Although many anglers choose to use harvested suckers as bait, others prefer them as a meal. Pickled, pressured cooked, or ground into patties are three of the top reported preparations.

The USGS water level gage in Utica reflects a current of 2’-10”. Low water levels like this can cause problems for canoes and kayaks but recent rains may improve these conditions.

Kahle Lake – Bass harvests using soft artificial baits have been reported. Remember, Kahle Lake is governed under BIG BASS regulations.

Two Mile Run Reservoir (Justus Lake) – Remember, Two mile Run Reservoir/Justus Lake is governed under BIG BASS regulations. Many anglers/boaters have provided positive feedback on the new boat ramp located in the Park Office and Crosby swim area. Larger (18’) boat owners report no difficulties in launching/retrieving at this location.

Shenango Lake – Water levels are up with all the rainfall we have had. The Shenango River is at flood stage, and the Reservoir is slowly rising. Fishing is starting to pick up with the cooler nights. Catfish are being caught throughout the reservoir.

Shenango River – Trout are still being caught in the outflow. Fish the deeper holes for success during the day. Remember a trout/salmon stamp is required to fish there year round. The summer is quickly slipping away. There are only a couple of weeks before its back to school for some. Take this time and get out on the water to enjoy the rest summer. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

North Central Pennsylvania

Centre County – After recent rains in Spring Creek, anglers are catching trout using worm fly patters (e.g. squirmy wormy, san juan worm). In the mid to late afternoon hours green weenie patterns are working well.

Clinton/W. Lycoming County – Anglers are catching trout near Lamar using small mayfly and caddis nymphs in the early morning and late afternoon hours.

Anglers are catching trout in late evening hours on Mill Hall sections of Fishing Creek using minnows. A slow retrieve of the minnow is working best.

West Branch Susquehanna River – A young angler caught a small mouth bass on the West Branch Susquehanna River off of the Lock Port Launch Park access near the boat ramp. The bass measured 18inches in length and was caught around 10p.m. at night on a night crawler! It is great to see the West Branch Susquehanna River producing such great fish after all it has been through!

Lycoming County – Thanks to our rainy Summer there are still catchable stock trout in Upper Pine Creek because water temperatures have stayed low and water levels have stayed consistent.

Anglers are catching trout on wet flies and worms. A few anglers are catching trout using dry flies during the white fly hatches. Small mouth bass and rock bass are also being caught using worms.

Rose Valley Lake – Anglers are catching largemouth bass in the evening and after dark. Bait of choice is night crawlers and minnows.

West Branch Susquehanna River– Anglers are catching smallmouth bass and channel catfish.

Boaters should monitor the water levels if they plan on venturing up and down the river. Depending on water levels it may be difficult to launch or retrieve your boats.

Non-powered boats need to be aware of where they are launching their boats. A launch permit is required to utilize all PA Fish and Boat Commission access ramps.