S. Berks County
The trout fishing was slow on Tulpehocken Creek Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area with the recent hot weather, but it should pick up as fall approaches. The next stocking for the area is Oct. 3 at 12:15pm. PFBC staff and volunteers are meeting at the Blue Marsh Park Office. Add the date to your calendar, and come out and do some trout stocking!
The bass fishing continues at Blue Marsh Lake with most fish caught on crank baits and soft plastics. The heavy summer boat traffic is gradually winding down. This should really improve fishing the main lake on weekends.
Anglers are catching catfish around the region. Some catfish hotspots include the Schuylkill River, Blue Marsh Lake, Lake Ontelaunee, and Middle Creek Lake. Chicken liver works great for catfish, and it doubles as good bait for the Striped Bass at Blue Marsh Lake. Do not forget to obtain a launch permit prior to using non-powered watercraft at PA Fish and Boat Commission accesses and State Park waterways.
N. Chester County
Marsh Creek Lake – The best baits for bluegills and crappies have been minnows and small jigs. Anglers caught a few large yellow perch on minnows and worms. Panfish are in and around structure along the shore. The fall bass bite has not turned on yet, although experienced anglers are doing well around weeds and in 15′-25′ of water. Live bait has been the champion this summer. Night crawlers, in particular, worked well. Jigs, spinners and crank baits are catching a few bass as well as some Muskellunge. The best colors to use on Marsh Creek Lake are large black, purple, dark green and pumpkinseed rubber worms. The Muskellunge fishing has been steady all summer long, with some of the best baits being crankbaits. That is right, crankbaits! Just watch the youngsters along the shoreline fishing for bass to learn a thing or two.
Streams French Creek, Pickering Creek, East Brandywine and West Valley Creek are still low and clear. The cool nights should cool down the water temperatures and turn trout on.
Remember that anglers may never possess bait in any of the special regulation areas. The Fly Fishing Area is catch & release only. Anglers may not possess fish in Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only areas from the day after Labor Day until next June 15.
Schuylkill River– Black Rock area: The Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass bite is slow but consistent near the Cromby Power Plant outflow. Crank baits, night crawlers and minnows are still the best producers. The catfish are still active on the Schuylkill River. Anglers continue to take large Flathead Catfish on bluegills and night crawlers. Anglers are catching Channel Catfish with chicken liver.
Stay clear of the fish ladder area when fishing at the Black Rock Dam. Officers caught and cited violators found within 100’ of the fish ladder. Respect the river and wear a PFD while onboard a boat.
E. Philadelphia County
The PFBC will stock trout on October 7 at Levittown Lake and October 9 at Pennypack Creek in Philadelphia. Meet at 8600 Pine Rd (Parking Lot) at 12:45pm to assist with the stocking.
S. Montgomery County/W. Philadelphia County
The Bassmasters Elite Tournament on the Delaware River this past month was a big hit in Philadelphia .The local fan favorite and tournament champion “Ike” showed everyone how to catch bass on the tidal portion of the river. Fishing around structure during the low tide proved to be successful.
Anglers are catching juvenile Striped Bass. The size limit for Striped Bass is 28” minimum and two Striped Bass per day. Anglers up and down the Schuylkill River are catching Flathead Catfish on live sunfish. Flathead Catfish are most active at night. Anglers on the Delaware River and Schuylkill River are catching Channel Catfish, and their bait choices include chicken livers, chicken breast, cheese, clams, shrimp and corn.