Luzerne County
Waterways across the county are low and clear! Anglers on the Susquehanna River have been finding nice bass and wading anglers could not ask for easier conditions. Boaters beware though; the low water has exposed many rocks so navigate carefully if taking to the water.
The follwing approved trout waters are receiving fall stockings this week in the county: Harveys Lake, Lake Irena, Lake Took-A-While, Lily Lake, Moon Lake and Sylvan Lake. Fall stockings produce some of the best fishing of the year and typically have no crowds. So make sure to get out and to do some trout fishing!
A complete list of stockings can be found at: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx.
Susquehanna County
On September 27, 2014 the Susquehanna County Federation held their annual Youth Field Day at the Harford Fairgrounds and adjacent Colwell Farm. WCO Chad McKenrick and Sgt Bendock of the Bureau of Law Enforcement conducted a canoeing and kayaking station attended by the event’s 64 kids and a similar number of adult chaperones.
Potter County
Kettle Creek– Streams are very low and trout are easily spooked; however, the trout are feeding and anglers are catching!
Most of the trout are being caught using ant patterns. Anglers are reporting good numbers of trout being caught and that there are large numbers of fly ants around the streams.
USGS water levels on Kettle Creek at Westport: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?site_no=01545000
Lyman Run Lake – Anglers are catching trout on live minnows. The lake is calm and clear. Early in the morning and late evening fishing has been the most successful for anglers.
Lycoming County
Pine Creek – Anglers are catching Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout on upper Pine Creek. They are catching the trout on a variety of flies (e.g. size 14 Beadhead pheasant tails, size 18 blue wing olive nymphs, size 18 golden stone fly nymphs, blue wing olive dry flies, slate drakes and tan caddis are also working). Some of the trout being caught are between 14-20 inches in length.
Most of the fishing action is occurring early morning and early to late evening. Un-weighted black streamers fished by swinging them are also working in the late evening hours.
Clearfield County
Curwensville Dam – Anglers are catching pan fish and bass using a variety of baits and lures. Best time for fishing is early morning and late evening.
Boaters beware in the flats upriver of the viaduct. There are lots of snags and mud flats just outside the channel that will damage your boats if hit.
Janesville Dam – PFBC will be stocking trout October 8, 2014 at 10:15a.m.
Parker Dam– PFBC will be stocking more trout in December due to the planned draw down that the lake will be undergoing for repairs to the causeway. Keep checking PA Fish and Boat Commission’s website for updates on fall stocking of trout: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx .
West Branch Susquehanna River – The group “Squirrel Tails for Trout” recently stocked trout between Curwensville Civic Center and Elliot’s Park. The average size of trout stocked was between 13 and 16 inches.
Water levels on the West Branch are at their lowest this year. Do NOT attempt to canoe between Clearfield and Karthus, unless you want to drag your canoes/kayaks.
The river is still runnable for unpowered crafts between Bells Landing and Curwensville Dam.
Clinton County
Bald Eagle Creek – Anglers are catching trout on lower Bald Eagle Creek using flying ant patterns in late afternoon and a variety of nymph patterns in the early evening hours. Streamer patterns have been working well in the early morning and late evening hours.
Be sure to take advantage of the beautiful scenery by kayak or canoe on Bald Eagle Creek! Water flows are good. The scenery and wildlife will make a memorable trip!
Centre County
Spring Creek – On upper Spring Creek, anglers are catching trout using size 14 beadhead pheasant tails and flashback hares ear nymphs. Small caddis and ant patterns along with other terrestrials are working on the surface. Early morning and late afternoon are producing the most success for anglers. If it is a high sunny day, target the shaded areas near logs, large stones, or undercut banks.
On lower Spring Creek, anglers are catching trout using small spinners and live minnows in the early morning hours.
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
Northwest Region Fishing and Boating Report
October 1, 2014
Crawford County
French Creek – A fishing success story received from Steven T. Wesling via PFBC website:
I’m 32 years old and have inherited my Grandpap and Grandma’s cottage located on the Route 322 side of French Creek, right up from Cochranton Bridge. Cochranton, PA is my 2nd home (I live in Canonsburg, PA–grew up in south hills of PGH). I’ve been fishing French Creek since I could hold a rod. My Grandpap “Never got a Muskie” and I’ve “Never got a Muskie”–until this weekend. I just bought a Scanoe from Field and Stream in Washington, PA and a trolling motor earlier this month. I passed my Boater Safety Course…etc.
On Friday, September 19th a WCO engaged me downstream of Shaw’s Landing P.F.B.C. because I didn’t have the stickers on my red Scanoe yet. I was trolling around Shaw’s landing with my 8year old son and 6 year old daughter. I knew from just passing the Boater Safety course online that I had to keep my temporary registration on the boat with me. The WCO couldn’t have been nicer when I told him I had the temporary on me in the boat. He was really nice to the kids as well. During the fishing trip I got what felt to be a snag and lost my huge Muskie spinner my Grandpap bought me probably 20 some years ago…I almost started crying.
On September 27th (about 5pm) I trolled right up through the same spot where I lost my Grandpap’s lure the previous week–right at the mansion above Shaws Landing on the Route 285 side. You can see Town Hall road in the back of the photo. I landed this monster Muskie fishing with my Dad. My Dad had to net it 3 times before we actually took possession of the fish. When I tried to measure it, it was thrashing in the canoe pretty good–I had him taped about 43-45 inches or so.
I can’t make this stuff up. September 27th is my Grandpap and Grandma’s anniversary. They’ve both been in heaven for some time now but I know my Grandpap finally got to see a Muskie. I’m happy to say, we released it safely back into the beautiful waters of French Creek.
Butler County
Lake Arthur – Reports have been heard of bass being caught along shoreline overhangs using rubber worms off the bottom. Most of the old propagation area is now open to fishing. Anglers are reporting nice catches of crappie and catfish. Strong line is recommended. The area is littered with old stumps, and the fish are tangling many lines.
Boating reminder: November begins the cold water boating regulations for life jackets. Be sure you are wearing a life jacket on all boats under 16 feet in length and on all canoes and kayaks. This regulation remains in effect through April of each year.
Crawford County
Pymatuning – Fisheries biologists out of Linesville State Fish Hatchery report that they caught a total of 551 Young-Of-Year (YOY) walleye for a catch rate of 0.92 fish per minute. That’s the best since 2009 (1.4) and the 2nd best since 2000. These fish should be of legal sized by age 3, and should help provide anglers with good walleye fishing for years to come. A couple of bowfin were also seen in PA waters. Ohio staff were working the north end and reported seeing “many” bowfin.
Forest County
Musky anglers have been productive trolling on Tionesta Lake and also on the Allegheny River, Sand and Gravel pool.
Walleye fishing should become more productive in the Allegheny River in the Sand and Gravel pool. Walleye anglers are successful from boat or shore. The shore fishing on Lighthouse Island in Tionesta is walk in only. Anglers can park their vehicle in the Lighthouse parking lot.
The Marienville Rod and Gun Club will be stocking Maple and Spring Creek at the beginning of October with adult trout.
Fall foliage is almost at peak which makes for a great float by canoe or kayak on the Allegheny River or the Clarion River. Tionesta Creek from Kellettville to Nebraska Bridge is also a scenic fall float. Please remember to have a Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device on board for each person and also carry a sound producing device.