Southern Pike and Southern Wayne Counties
Fishing activity has been very slow this past week. Anglers have not been finding much success throughout the district. Anglers should watch the weather closely and make sure to get out and fish if we see rain. Fish the streams as they are rising, this will put the fish that are currently not active on the feed and should provide excellent fishing opportunities.
Luzerne County
Local streams are very low and the fishing has been very slow. Local wild trout streams, including Arnolds Creek and Huntingdon Creek, have had little to no pressure but they have not been rewarding the few anglers fishing. While the weather has been cool, the predicted rain has continually not happened. Our streams need to start seeing some precipitation or it could make for a long and slow fall for fishing.
Monroe County
While the fishing has been very good so far during the summer, it seems that the arrival of September has slowed the fishing considerably. Private community lakes are not producing at the moment, but as the weather continues to cool we should see more bass action. Fall may be the best time to target large bass and the current weather predictions are showing an early fall, so anglers should not have to wait long for the fishing to pick back up and we expect to see catch rates to go up within the next couple of weeks or so.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir – Boating was down over the holiday weekend. There are plenty of days left in the summer, and fall is a beautiful time to boat the reservoir. With the amount of rain we’ve had, boaters have been fortunate to have higher water levels and fewer sandbars and shoals usually visible this time of year. Crappies are starting to pick up around the reservoir. Anglers are reporting that they are thickening up for the winter. A large number of fillet sized bluegills are being caught as well. Catfish fishing is also progressing very well.
Shenango River – Water levels on the river are up also. The boaters using the Shenango River Water Trail can enjoy the higher flow to avoid portages. Make use of the new boat launch in the Village of Hamburg. The Shenango River Watchers have done an outstanding job providing access to the river at this location. Fall stocking of trout will be in October below the Shenango Reservoir outflow. This area is designated as a year round trout fishery. A current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish the area from the outflow to the Walnut Street Bridge, regardless of the species of fish you are targeting or harvesting.
Enjoy the last days of nice weather. As always, make sure your safety equipment is onboard and serviceable to prevent a relaxing day on the water from turning into a disaster.
Crawford County
Sugar Lake – Crappies in decent numbers have been caught lately.
Woodcock Lake – A few Walleyes and some nice size Smallmouth Bass have been caught.
Woodcock Creek (below the dam) – A few bluegills are still being caught along with plenty of Bowfins.
Reminder: Winter drawdowns of Woodcock Lake and Canadohta Lake will most likely begin in the middle or late October.
Forest County
Area waters – The Marienville Rod and Gun Club will be stocking trout this fall in Maple Creek and Spring Creek. Musky anglers have been successful trolling Tionesta Lake and casting lures at the Tionesta Outflow. As water temperatures cool, trout fishing should pick up on all local trout streams. Angler’s reported catching trout this summer on Salmon Creek and Tionesta Creek downstream of Kellettville.
Erie County
Presque Isle Bay – A northwest region law enforcement officer reported catching nothing but gobies while fishing night crawlers off of the Waterworks Pier recently.
Walnut Creek Access – Perch catch rates have been on and off this year. Most anglers are fishing in around 50 feet of water straight out from Walnut Creek to catch them. Some weeks this summer, fish caught have been small while other weeks have seen big ones.
Walleye catches have been good this year whenever the weather allowed boaters to get out. Many have been bringing in their limits. There is speculation that the algae problem in the west basin may have made fishing better here. While most anglers have been fishing the trenches to get them, some have started going further west lately. However, many have reported more catches of Silver Bass and White Perch than perch and Walleye.
Potter County
First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek: Anglers are catching wild Brown and Brook Trout along with a few stocked Rainbow Trout between Costello and Proudy State Park.
With overcast skies and the threat of rain on the way, Blue Winged Olives and Isonychia Mayflies are hatching throughout the day. Quite a few Isonychias are on the water and in the air during peak hatch times. The heaviest part of the hatch seems to be just after 12p.m. Antlers were catching the trout using size 22 CDC blue wing olives and size 10-12 Royal Wulff dry flies.
Tioga County
Cowanesque Lake – Anglers are catching bass using jigs and live minnows. Most of the bass are being caught off of weed clumps, rock piles and some off of deep timber.
PA Fish and Boat Commission, Tioga County Bass Anglers, Tackle Shack and Mansfield University placed 60 porcupine cribs throughout the lake on September 6, 2014. Over 35 volunteers showed up to help build and place the structures that will create better fish habitat and fishing in the future! THANK YOU to all who came out to help!!
Hamilton Lake – Anglers are catching Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch and Crappies using live minnows. Some of the Crappies are coming from the deeper water. Crappies are hitting on small twister tails and some tube jigs that are either chartreuse or white.
Try fishing at different depths to find the schools of fish. Once you find them you are in for a treat!
Anglers are also catching trout using night crawlers on the bottom. Bullhead Catfish are hitting on pastebaits and live minnows.
Clearfield County
Curwensville Lake– Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, Bluegill and Pumpkinseeds using butter worms and red worms cut in half.
On September 6, 2014 Clearfield County Conservation District held their Conservation Days at the lake. PA Fish and Boat held a Family Fishing program as part of the event. Kids and their parents had a great time catching fish all day using worms. The best luck was had early in the morning and later in the afternoon!
Centre County
Bald Eagle Creek– Anglers are catching trout and panfish in the lower reaches. Anglers are catching Bass in the upper reaches of the stream.
Black Moshannon Lake: Boating pressure has been light with the majority of boaters being kayakers and canoers.
Anglers are catching Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Chain Pickerel from shore near boat launch areas. Successful bait being used is rubber twistertails and live minnows.
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake: Boating pressure was moderate over the holiday weekend. Boating since the holiday has been light. All access areas are being used.
Anglers are catching Crappies near the fishing pier at Lower Greens Run. They are also catching Crappie and Bluegill near the causeway. Bait of choice is live minnows.
A few anglers are catching large Channel Catfish near Lower Greens Run access area using chicken livers and nightcrawlers. The best time is late evening.
Spring Creek – Anglers are catching trout using small nymphs (scuds, Walts Worms, squirmy wormies). Lower in the watershed anglers are catching trout using worms and live minnows.
After rain events, head out and cast a streamer (olive/black wooly buggers/slump busters) as close to the bank as possible. Trout may hit your fly within the first few seconds! It is a thrilling take and fight!
More rain is on the way Wednesday night into and through Thursday this week. Should be a good time to fish Spring Creek!
Keep an eye on the USGS water flows for Spring Creek:
Upper Spring Creek at Houserville, PA: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv/?site_no=01546400&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010
Lower Spring Creek near Milesburg, PA:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv/?site_no=01547100&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010
Clinton County
Upper Fishing Creek– Currently water levels are low. The best time to fish is early morning and late evening using small nymphs (bead head pheasant tails, caddis).
With rain on the way, it may not hurt to have your streamer box ready to go.
Lower Fishing Creek: Anglers are catching trout in the early morning hours and late evening hours on small nymphs, streamers and minnows.
Get your worms, minnows and streamers read to cast after the rain event over the next few days.
Reminder- Harvest season closed on some special regulation waters after Labor Day. Before heading out trout fishing in these areas check the regulations in your 2014 Summary Book or find it here: fishinpa.com/
Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Regulations:
• Minimum size – 9 inches, caught on, or in possession on, the waters under these regulations from one hour before sunrise on June 15 to one hour after sunset on Labor Day.
• The daily creel limit is three combined species from one hour before sunrise on June 15 to one hour after sunset on Labor Day, caught on or in possession on the waters under these regulations. From the day after Labor Day until one hour before sunrise on June 15, the daily creel limit is zero.