Forest County
Tionesta Outflow – Anglers are catching musky. An angler caught a 43 inch musky on Sunday just below the crib dam on the Tionesta Outflow using a white tube jig.
Erie County
Walnut Creek Access – During this past week some anglers have been trying their luck fishing for Steelhead. One angler reported catching an early morning Brown Trout. He also reported seeing a handful of Steelhead in the Manchester hole. It’s believed that they go out in the lake once the sun comes up. The water temperature is still 67 degrees which is too warm for them. Water temperature around 62 degrees should move them into the creeks. Even boaters fishing farther out in deeper water are not bringing any in any good numbers of fish. Maybe a fish here and there has been about it.
Walleye– success seems to have slacked off quite a bit. Rainy weather and big waves have kept most boaters from venturing out.
Perch– catch rates are slowing down and the fish are coming in closer to shore. With cooler water temperatures and high waves, boaters are looking nearer to shore.
Luzerne County
While the rain this past Saturday did not have a lasting effect on stream conditions in the county, it did bring fish out of their summer loll for a few great days. The Brook Trout fishing on local streams really turned on as the rain brought some much needed flow and made the fish not quite as spooky when approaching the stream. The key to fishing was finding a nice pool with plenty of structure and undercut banks and standing back as far as possible and covering the water with gentle casts.
The above picture shows a nice pool of water with all the necessary features to hold a few Brook Trout. With great habitat and the added water flow, the fish were ready to feed! This hole in particular gave up six brook trout with a few approaching 8 inches, but sometimes it’s not the biggest fish that catches the angler’s eye.
This beautiful Brook Trout was fooled on a size 14 royal wulff and while the smallest fish caught, it’s spectacular dark coloration and defined speckles really made this the trophy of the day!
Northern Susquehanna & Eastern Bradford Counties
Hunters who are looking to hit the Susquehanna River for ducks and geese are reminded to check their boats for safety equipment. For some this may be the only time they go out or maybe they have a special boat just for hunting. If this is the case take a look at those PFD’s and fire extinguishers as they may no longer be serviceable. Also, remember to keep safety first and make sure that shotgun is unloaded anytime the boat is underway!
Western Bradford & Sullivan County
Anglers and boaters on the North Branch Susquehanna River are reminded to be vigilant when operating boats on the river. Always proceed with caution, even if you are familiar with the river, as the levels are VERY low and new hazards are present.
Anglers have been catching many nice bass this past week as well. The Bass are striking top water and crankbaits are exceptionally well.
Potter County
Allegheny River (Coudersport area) – There are plenty of fish left! Anglers are catching nice trout in the Delayed Harvest section. Several nice fish are being caught on bead head pheasant tails. The biggest Rainbow Trout (18inches) was caught on a size 12 Royal Wulff. Some anglers are also catching trout using Parachute Ants.
Kettle Creek – Water levels are low and Trout are spooky. Successful anglers are keeping their profile low and wearing dull colored clothing.
Anglers are catching Brook Trout. One angler caught two Brook Trout over 12inches along with dozens of smaller ones. The Trout seem real hungry and are preparing for a long winter! Flies that are working the best are size 16 stimulators.
Brook and Brown Trout are showing signs of spawning colors. Nothing more beautiful than trout in their spawning colors!
USGS water levels on Kettle Creek at Westport: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?site_no=01545000
Tioga County
Cowanesque Lake – For information about Tioga-Hammond & Cowanesque Lakes check out the Army Corps of Engineers Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/thclakes.
Anglers are having some great times fishing for Bass! Many bass up to 6lbs are being caught!! Limited weed growth has bass holding tight to rock piles, timber, and artificial structure. Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass are being caught in shallow and deep water.
Subtle presentations of crankbaits and creature baits are working best. Darker colors are working best for the murky waters of the lake’s West end. In the clearer waters of the lake’s East end natural colors are working best. Shad colored crankbaits or green pumpkin, watermelon, and pumpkinseed colored soft plastics are also working.
Hamilton Lake – Anglers are catching good LOTS of Crappies, Bluegills, and Yellow Perch using waxworms, live minnows, and mealworms. Low water has limited most anglers to shore fishing, though a few are fishing from canoes and kayaks.
Fishing under a float is producing the best results, especially in the evenings in about 8 to 12 feet of water. Some trout are being caught on paste baits floated just off the bottom. Shallow running crankbaits in perch and shiner colors are working for trout, bass, and Chain Pickerel.
Hammond Lake – Cooler temperatures are “lighting” up the Crappie fishing! Live minnows, fished in 8-10 feet, of water are working best. Anglers are also catching good numbers of bass using live shiners near the dam and Route 287.
Jefferson County – Stream flows seem to be above average compared to past years. There are still trout left in the stocked waterways.
Sandy Lick Creek – Trout are spread out throughout the entire stream. Anglers are catching trout using flies representing ants and beetles. There are quite a few midges coming off providing successful catches on Griffiths Gnats and Black and Olive Zebra Midge patterns. Slate Drakes, size 10 and/or 12 are also working well.
Grasshopper patterns fished close to the banks are also working well for anglers.