Butler County
Harbor Acres Lake (State Game lands # 95) – This lake was stocked in mid-October with a truck load of brown trout. Anglers have reported a steady return to creel limits using minnows. Catches of bass, crappie, and perch have also been reported.
Lake Oneida/Thorn Run Reservoir – Fishing has slowed, but things are looking up for catfish. Winter’s approach is a windfall for catfish hunters as Blue Catfish try to fatten before ice moves in. A fat shiner off the bottom is a good choice. The Fish & Boat Commission has also decided to stock the lake with catfish fingerlings; an encouraging sign that these impoundments have good habitat.
Forest County
Allegheny River – Walleye fishing on the river in Tionesta should be picking up. Mid-November is generally the most productive time. The Marienville Rod and Gun Club stocked Spring Creek and Maple Creek with adult trout in October. Anglers are reporting catching trout on Salmon Creek near Kellettville.
Waterfowl hunters and anglers using boats less than 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks, are reminded that they are required to wear a life jacket at all times from November 1st to April 30th.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir – The buoys have been put away for the winter; however the no wake zones are still in effect even though they are not marked. Fall is a beautiful time to boat the reservoir. The lake levels are still up but slowly receding. Use caution when boating around the sandbars and shoals located just under the water’s surface. Crappie are starting to be picked up around the reservoir Anglers report that they are thickening up for the winter. A large number of fillet sized bluegills are being caught as well.
Shenango River – Water is being released from the reservoir in preparation for winter pool water levels. This is a benefit to boaters using the Shenango River Water Trail by allowing them to enjoy the last of the fall foliage. Make use of the new boat launch in the Village of Hamburg. The Shenango River Watchers have done an outstanding job providing river access at this location. Trout were stocked below the Shenango Reservoir outflow. This is designated as a year round trout fishery, so a current trout/salmon stamp is required to fish the area from the outflow to the Walnut Street Bridge regardless of species of fish that you are targeting or harvesting. The fall creel limit is 3 fish. Starting November 1st, the cold weather life jacket wear law comes into effect. Life jackets must be worn on all canoes and kayaks, as well as all boats under 16 feet in length.
Enjoy the last days of nice weather, and as always make sure you safety equipment is serviceable to prevent a relaxing day on the water from turning into a disaster.
Tioga County
Fishing is beginning to slow down around the County. Water temperatures have dropped into the low 50’s, and the Fall bite is slowing down.
Cowanesque Lake – Anglers are catching bass using jigs, plastic worms, and live shiners.
Hamilton Lake – Anglers are catching Panfish using nightcrawlers and wax worms. A few bass are also being caught using jigs, plastic worms, and live shiners.
Hills Creek Lake – Anglers are still catching Panfish using nightcrawlers and wax worms. Some anglers are catching bass using jigs and plastic worms.
Potter County
Kettle Creek – Anglers are catching lots of carry-over Brown Trout and a few wild Brook Trout. Minnows and gold/silver spinners are working best.
Lycoming County
Pine Creek – Anglers are catching Brown and Rainbow Trout near Slate Run. Size #14-16 caddis, cahills (yellow and orange), BWOs, black stoneflies, and midges are working great! Try using dropping emergers and nymphs below the slate drake to give the trout a “treat”, and you more opportunities to “trick” them! One angler recently caught a 20 inch trout on a ladybug fly pattern! Another angler caught a 14 inch trout using a bead head pheasant tail.
Jefferson County
Clarion River – Water is at average levels. Not much in the way of bug activity; but fish are feeding, and the bigger fish are starting their spawning runs. Trout are aggressively taking big, articulated streamers! Sink tip stream lines are making a big difference in getting down to feeding trout.
Centre County
Spring Creek – Anglers are catching trout on olive 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
Lackawanna County
The Lackawanna River has been running low, but recent rains brought up the water levels and turned up the fishing. Regional Education Specialist Allan Schreffler and Regional Outreach Education Coordinator Walt Dietz made a trip to the Lackawanna this past week and targeted large Brown Trout with stickbaits and streamers. The fall is a great time of the year to target large trout, but you must be willing to go ‘big’ to get the biggest fish to strike. This type of fishing is not one for those looking for great numbers of fish, but you will be rewarded with strikes from big trout and if you are lucky, you will land one after a great fight! Make sure to get out and enjoy the fabulous fall fishing!
Wyoming County
Now is the time to get out and do some fall fishing. Weather this week had temperatures in the 70s and these may be the last few days we see this kind of weather for quite a while. The Susquehanna River is in great shape and so are area lakes. Bowman’s Creek Catch & Release Fly Fishing Only was stocked with trout earlier this month and even though stream levels are low, anglers report catching trout there.