Pike County
Ice fishing season has started here in the Northeast. Many smaller lakes and ponds may have up to 6 inches of ice. Shohola Lake has started off well with nice pan fish and some really good sized pickerel, the same held true for White Deer Lake and Lake Greeley. Fishermen were catching nice sized pickerel, crappie and some bass. As always be careful when venturing out onto the ice. Make sure you wear plenty of warm clothes and a PFD especially when the ice is just starting to form on most bodies of water. Also, remember to tell someone where you plan to go ice fishing for your safety.
Northwest Region Fishing and Boating Report
Crawford County
Sugar Lake
Anglers are reporting catching some Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass through the ice. Anglers should try a tip-up rigged with a large shiner for Northern Pike and a tip-up rigged with a minnow for Largemouth Bass.
Conneaut Lake
Anglers are reporting catching Bluegill and Northern Pike through the ice on the North end of the lake near the PFBC access area. Jigs tipped with maggots, meal worms, or minnows seem to be the bait of choice. Those anglers targeting Musky and Northern Pike should use tip-ups rigged with large shiners and a large treble hook.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Anglers are reporting catching nice Bluegill and Crappie through the ice. Jigs tipped with maggots or meal worms seem to be the bait of choice.
Reminder: The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness so please use caution as you head out onto the ice. A life jacket and a set of ice awls can be extremely important if you fall though the ice. Remember SAFETY FIRST: http://fishandboat.com/water/ice_thickness.pdf
Northcentral Regional Fishing and Boating Report
Ice fishing season is officially here!! Those who are out fishing are catching fish!!
Remember to stay safe. Check the ice depths when you arrive.
HUNGRY? Try a Yellow Perch recipe for Dinner!
Tioga County
Most of the County lakes have 4-7 inches of ice. Beechwood and Cowanesque Lake still have spots that are significantly thinner.
Hills Creek Lake: Most of the lake has 6-7 inches of ice. Anglers are catching Bluegills and Yellow Perch on waxworms, maggots, and mousees (rat tailed maggots: Larval form of the Drone fly). Anglers fishing near stumps are catching Bass and Pickerel on live shiners and fathead minnows. The best bite is early morning. By mid-morning the fish are shutting down and fishing is slow throughout the day. Most fish are being caught in 5-10 feet of water. The bite picks back up just before dark.
Hamilton Lake: Hamilton is capped with about 5-6 inches of ice. Anglers are catching Bluegills, Yellow Perch, and a few Crappies at depths between 15 and 28 feet. Waxworms, maggots, and mealworms are all working. The bite is good most of the day. A few anglers caught a couple of Yellow Perch over 12 inches.
Hammond Lake: Hammond has about 4-6 inches of ice. The bite has been slow overall, but anglers are catching Crappies using waxworms and fathead minnows.
Find fish fast using PA Fish and Boat Commission’s detailed habitat map of Hammond Lake.
Center County
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
- Between the beach and the old road bed: Ice thickness ranges from 4-6 inches. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch all day. They are also catching Blue Gills, Crappie and a few Brown Trout in this area. The lucky lure is the Forage Minnow jigging spoon in the “glow chub” color (yellow,orange and white).
- One angler caught two Brown Trout, one 14inches and the other 16 inches! They were quite a surprise and put up a good fight. The same angler caught a 13inch White Crappie. He and his two friends walked off the ice this past weekend with around 100 fish between them. Most were Yellow Perch.
- Hunters Run Cut: Ice is about 4 inches thick. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Crappie ranging from 5-9 inches in length. Mealworms, minnows and small jigs are working best.
Find fish fast using PA Fish and Boat Commission’s detailed habitat map of F.J. Sayers Lake!
Penns Creek: Anglers are catching Brown Trout on a green and white variation of the Clouser Minnow pattern. One angler reported catching 8 Brown Trout that measured between 14 and 20 inches. That same angler had 18 other trout chase the Clouser Minnow. The best time of day is mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
Spring Creek: Fishing is slow with the cold temperatures; but a few brave anglers are catching trout using olive or black streamers. The trout you catch are well worth it!!
Snyder County
Walker Lake: There is approximately 5’’ of ice near the dam breast and up near the parking lot on the lake’s south side. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch, Crappie and Bluegills. A few Channel Catfish are also being caught. The lucky lure is the Forage Minnow jigging spoon in the “glow chub” color (yellow,orange and white).
More about Walker Lake: http://fishandboat.com/water/lakes/walker/00walker.htm