Northern Pennsylvania Fishing Report | October 23, 2014

Carbon County

With the start of the fall season and hunting activities most fishing and boating activity on the district’s waterways has been slow.  A few anglers have been taking advantage of the warmer fall season and catching trout on the Pohopoco Creek, Mauch Chunk Creek and the Aquashicola Creek.  Most of the approved trout waters in the district have been flowing low in recent weeks.  However, with recent rain events, the streams are flowing close to normal flows.  The Lehigh River has been producing some trout and small mouth bass action on the Parryville and Bowmanstown sections of the river. 

Boat anglers fishing Mauch Chunk Lake have been doing well catching bass.  However, most bass were reported less than the minimum size of fifteen inches.  Mauch Chunk Lake is governed by the Big Bass program regulations.  Anglers fishing from the shore area and the fishing pier at boat launch A at Mauch Chunk Lake have been reporting good success catching panfish and pickerel.   Anglers and boaters visiting Beltzville Lake are reminded that the water level at the lake is low due to recent water releases.  Preachers Camp boat ramp is closed.  However, the area adjacent to the ramp remains open to launch canoes or kayaks.  The Pine Run boat launch ramp still remains open.  Boaters are reminded to remain alert for obstructions, stumps, logs, etc. while navigating the lake.  A few boat anglers have reported doing well catching bass in recent weeks.  Striped bass were reported being active off the area of the Pine Run Launch.  Chicken livers appeared to work well as bait for some striped bass action.  A few walleye were reported being caught during the late evenings on the Pohopoco Creek in the vicinity of the spillway area of Beltzville Lake.

Northern Pike County

Fishing has been slow in most parts of the county due to the low water conditions in the streams and rivers.  The Lackawaxen River has been stocked with trout and the water levels are moderate with good results in catching fish.  Shohola Lake is now reopened for fishing. Greeley Lake has been producing some good sized bass and plenty of pan fish and pickerel.  Lake Wallenpaupack has just started to come alive again with walleye, perch, and bass.

Note: Boaters and boat anglers / hunters are reminded that beginning November 1st through April 30th  they are required to wear a USCG approved personal flotation device while on boats less than 16’ in length including any canoe or kayak.

Southern Wayne & Pike County

The fall season has been kind with moderate temperatures throughout the region. Anglers throughout the district have had continued good success catching panfish in smaller impoundments using various types of natural and artificial bait.

Wayne County

Most lakes including Belmont, White Oak, Miller and Upper Woods Pond are extremely low due to drought conditions.  Recent rains did very little to increase the levels.  There are few fishermen around but those who are out are being rewarded with nice catches of smallmouth bass and panfish.  With cooling water temps the walleye fishing at Duck Harbor Pond is expected to get better.

Wyoming County

Temperatures have dropped in the area from the warm fall temperatures we had been enjoying.  Heavy rains last week brought Susquehanna River levels to more seasonal conditions.  Only a few fishermen have been outsince the weather conditions changed but area waterways are in good shape for fishing. Make sure to get out as the fall provides some of the best fishing for large fish during the year!

Crawford County

Fishing is slow. A couple of Walleye have been caught in Woodcock Lake and also below Woodcock Dam.
Reminders: Drawdown of both Woodcock Lake and Canadohta Lake will begin soon. Also, all boats moored at PFBC accesses must be removed by Dec. 1st.

Venango County

Allegheny River – The USGS depth gage in Franklin reflects a current water level of +/- 5’-00”, up about 2’-0” from last reporting date. Water temperature has dropped to 52°, down 10-12° from the last report. Smallmouth action has been high in holes in the lower reaches of slow moving eddies, on the swift water side of local islands, and along the foot of the larger rock formations extending along the shoreline. Baits of choice have been spinners, tubes, and jigs. Walleye harvests continue to be reported. Jigs were reported as the most effective bait of choice. Catfish hookups have continued however, given the recent jump in water level, this target may have just become more elusive.

Allegheny River Navigation Hazard:Watercraft operators should be aware that the ice control device spanning the river upstream of the State Street (Veteran’s) Bridge in Oil City will soon be in place. Boaters are urged to use caution when operating in this area. Although stretching across the entire width of the river, a navigation channel/slot exists for the use of recreational watercraft traffic.

French Creek – The USGS depth gage in Utica reflects a current water level of 4’-04”, up about 2‘-0” since the last report. Recreational boat traffic (canoes/kayaks) will experience good flow conditions at this level. Bass and Walleye continue to be the most common hook-ups, with the occasional tease of a muskellunge. Jigs were reported as the most effective bait of choice.

Oil Creek – The USGS depth gage in Rouseville reflects a current water level of +/- 2’-09”, which is up 0’-08” since the last report.

Angling activity has diminished throughout much of the stream’s lower sections, however pockets of trout anglers continue throughout Oil Creek State Park and the Drake Well area. Additionally, the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Section was stocked with adult trout on Wednesday, October 1, 2014.

MANDATORY PFD (LIFE-JACKET) WEAR EFFECTIVE AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 2014

Signs like the one shown here have been posted at numerous high traffic launches throughout the Commonwealth as visual reminders that, during the period of November 1st through April 30th, ALL BOATERS are required to wear a life jacket at all times while on watercraft less than 16’ in length or ANY canoe or kayak.

Erie County

Lake Erie – Steelhead shore anglers are doing well when wave conditions permit off the mouth of Walnut Creek, Trout Run, and Godfrey Run. Remember that between the hours of 10pm and 5am, you must stay fifty yards away from the mouth of Trout Run and Godfrey Runs.

Western Erie Tributaries – Steelhead stream anglers are having great success on lower Walnut Creek. Recent rains have allowed Steelhead to move further upstream than State Route 5.  They’ve also moved into Upper Elk Creek and anglers are doing well. Large numbers of Steelhead have also moved upstream of the nursery waters on Crooked Creek.

Recent enforcement actions have resulted in many prosecutions. The most common violation is snagging/foul hooking. Other violations include a lot of litter and over limit violations. Daily saturation patrols with both uniformed and plain cloths officers have been very successful. 

Tioga County

Cowanesque Lake Anglers are catching Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass on a variety of plastic worms and crankbaits.  Bass are holding in shallow water under 10 feet deep.  A few Musky are being caught using large baitfish under a float or spinners.

Hamilton Lake– Anglers are still catching Trout and Panfish!  Nice bluegills are being caught on mealworms, waxworms, and pieces of nightcrawlers.  Anglers are catching trout using doughbaits in chartruese, rainbow, and orange colors, as well as waxworms and live minnows.

Hills Creek Lake – Anglers are catching nice Bluegill, Crappie, and Yellow Perch on nightcrawlers and small chartruese or white curly tail grubs.  The bass bite has slowed down, but some are still being caught on live shiners, jerkbaits, and plastic worms.

Tioga River – A number of small Walleye and Smallmouth Bass are being caught from the spillway to the New York state border.  Live shiners and nightcrawlers fished on a jighead are working well.  A few catfish are being caught on shiners, cut bait, and chicken livers too.

McKean County

Water levels are still good across the County for this time of year. Fall trout fishing is still in full swing! Anglers are catching trout using a variety of nymphs (bead head pheasant tails and prince nymphs) and baits (minnows and worms).

Allegheny Reservoir – Water levels are dropping slowly to winter pool. Fall boaters need to watch the depth and floating debris.

Lycoming County

Pine Creek– Anglers are catching Brown Trout using the Picket Pin fly, olive/black streamers, bead head prince and bead head pheasant tail nymphs.

Jefferson County

Kyle Lake – Anglers are catching Panfish from shore, near the boat launch and the fishing pier. 

Centre County

Foster Joseph Sayers Lake – Boating activity is light with most recreational boating finished. Anglers are catching Bluegill near Hunters Run Cut and the Causeway. Small grubs and redworms are working best.

Anglers are also catching Smallmouth Bass. One angler recently caught a 3lb Smallmouth Bass. The lure of choice was a purple tube.

 

Black Moshannon Lake – Boating activity is light. Most boaters are kayakers and canoers. Anglers are catching Panfish in the shallows using redworms and grubs.

 

Poe Valley Lake – Anglers are catching Bluegill near the boat launch area.

 

Spring Creek – Anglers are catching trout on olive/black streamers and small nymphs in Upper Spring Creek. They are also catching trout using spinners and live bait in all lower sections of 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