Northwest Region
Venango County
Justus Lake (Twomile Run Reservoir)
Bluegill and trout are being caught in and around both boat launches.
Kahle Lake
Mix of slush and ice; thin spots are common. USE CAUTION!! A mix of perch, bluegill, and bass are being reported; nothing of great size or number yet. Anglers are reminded that this lake is governed under Big Bass Regulations. Also, a new year is upon us so you’ll need either a 2015 or valid multi-year license.
Allegheny River
The USGS depth gage in Franklin reflects a current level of 5’-03” and water temperature of +/-32 degrees. From this time in 2014, water temperature has remained steady and water levels are down over 1’-06”. Ice flows are forming making fishing unsafe from either shore or boat.
NAVIGATION HAZARD-
Watercraft operators should be aware that the ice control device spanning the Allegheny River upstream of the State Street (Veteran’s) Bridge in Oil City, IS NOW IN PLACE. Boaters are urged to use caution when operating in this area since the device stretches the entire breadth of the river. Use the provided opening situated nearest the north shore for passage.
French Creek
The USGS depth gage in Utica reflects a current water level of 3’-10”. Conditions regarding flow have decreased +/- 2 feet since this reporting date in 2014. Angling activity has been light.
Oil Creek
The USGS depth gage in Rouseville reflects a current water level of 3’-04”. Angling activity has been light.
Reminder: During the period November 1st through 30 April, ALL BOATERS are required to wear a life jacket at all times while in watercraft less than 16’ in length or ANY canoe or kayak.
Erie County (Eastern)
The bitter cold temperatures this week have the mile streams iced over. Anglers are venturing out onto the ice on Lake Pleasant, Eaton Reservoir, Edinboro Lake and Lake Leboeuf. Anglers are reporting trout and pan fish on Lake Pleasant. Eaton Reservoir is also a hot spot for pan fish and Northern Pike. Live baits seem to work the best (grubs, maggots, wax worms and minnows).
The PFBC does not monitor ice conditions. Lake Erie temperature is 33°; Mile Streams have ice; Inland Lakes have ice
Note: Ice fishing anglers–it is illegal to use VHS susceptible fish species (Emerald Shiners) fish parts or eggs taken from Lake Erie Watershed as bait in the Commonwealth waters outside the Lake Erie Watershed except when the fish are certified as VHS negative. This water includes (Lake Pleasant, Eaton Reservoir, Edinboro Lake and Lake Leboeuf). See the complete list of VHS species in the 2015 Summary Guide.
Erie County (Western)
Walnut Creek, Elk Creek, Crooked Creek, Upper Gravel Pit
At the time of this writing all of the western Lake Erie Tributaries are almost completely frozen. The Upper Gravel Pit still has open water and poor ice conditions. Stream anglers are doing well on Steelhead through the ice on Crooked Creek at the Gloskey Hole and at the Walnut Creek Marina Basin.
Routine patrols this year have already produced fishing without a fishing license violations and associated permit violations. Additionally, oversized ice fishing holes in ice have been seen.
Reminder: The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly across the lake. 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/safety.htm
Northcentral Region
Reminder: The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly across the lake and across the state. 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/safety.htm
SUPER Dish for your Super Bowl Party! Get out and get your fish this weekend!
Panfish Wontons (similar to crab Rangoon) great for an appetizer or Super Bowl snack
Ingredients:
- 1 Teaspoon minced garlic
- 8 ounces cream cheese (1 pkg.)
- 6 ounces flaked Crappie, Yellow Perch or Bluegill filets
- 2 green onions sliced thinly
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 48 wonton wrappers
- Combine garlic, cream cheese, flaked fish, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce in a bowl. To prevent wonton skins from drying, prepare only 1 or 2 at a time. Place 1 teaspoon of filling onto the center of each wonton skin. Moisten the edges with water and fold the wonton skin diagonally to form a triangle, pressing edges to seal. Sealing them carefully is very important when deep frying; if you do not, all the filling will leak out in the oil!!! Moisten one of the bottom corners. Create a crown by pulling both bottom corners together and sealing.
- Deep fry at 350oF until golden brown, they can also be baked at 425oF for 12 to 15 minutes.
Tioga County-
There were lots of people out fishing this past weekend!!
Beechwood: Anglers are catching some small Yellow Perch and a few Bluegills. Waxworms are the bait of choice.
Anglers are also catching trout up to 14 inches in shallow water. Doughbait and waxworms are the bait of choice.
Cowanesque: Anglers are catching mostly small Yellow Perch and Crappie in the coves or around timber. Waxworms are working best.
Hills Creek Lake: Anglers are fishing near the stumps and catching fish! The bite is best in early morning and just before dark. Anglers are catching Bluegills, Crappie, and Yellow Perch in 3-10 feet of water using waxworms, mousees, cranefly larvae (oak leaf grubs) on small jigs.
Jigging with small Fathead Minnows is also working well for Yellow Perch and Crappie. Yellow Perch up to 13 inches are being caught, but most are 7-8 inches.
Tip-ups baited with medium or large shiners are working for Pickerel and Bass. Anglers are catching a few nice bass, some weighing over 4lbs. A handful of 22-24 inch Pickerel are also being caught.
Hamilton Lake: Anglers are catching Yellow Perch up to 14 inches. They are also catching hand sized Bluegills and decent Crappies. Most catches are occurring in 20-28 feet of water. A few anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Bluegills in 8-10 feet of water. Waxworms and maggots seem to be the best bait, but small Fathead Minnows are also working.
A few trout up to 15 inches are being caught by anglers jigging waxworms and on tip-ups using doughbait or fathead minnows.
The bite is pretty consistent throughout the day. Some Pickerel and Bass are also being caught on live shiners fished near the dam and along some of the drop-offs.
A few anglers are catching Crappie in deep water, after dark. Waxworms and maggots are the go to bait.Hammond Lake: Fishing is slow, but a few anglers are catching Crappie using Fathead Minnows and waxworms.
Clearfield County –
With the recent cold snap ice is covering most lakes in the County.
Parker Dam: Anglers are reporting good harvests of trout. The lake received a late trout stocking in December. There are still quite a few remaining so come out and catch a few!
Parker Dam Annual Winter Festival
Come out to Parker Dam and learn some tips and tricks about ice fishing! Ice Fishing Basics will be one of the several programs offered at Parker Dam’s Annual Winter Festival. Learn more here: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/parkerdam/
Centre County-
Black Moshannon Lake: Anglers are catching Pickerel and Yellow Perch using minnows and shiners on tip-ups. A few anglers are catching Bluegill and Crappie in weed beds about 4-6 feet in depth.
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake: Between the beach and the old road bed: Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Crappie. The lucky lure is the Forage Minnow jigging spoon in the “glow chub” color (yellow,orange and white). Early morning and late evening hours are the best times for fishing.
Jigs tipped with wax worms or maggots are also working.
Hunters Run Cut: Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Crappie. Jigging mealworms or wax worms in 10-12 feet of water is working. Tip-ups with minnows are also working well.
Northeast Region
Carbon County
Little to no fishing activity has been occurring on approved trout waters in the district. A number of the streams are ice covered. A few anglers fishing the Pohopoco Creek downstream of the outlet of Beltzville Lake have reported catching trout.
During the weekend, ice anglers at Mauch Chunk Lake were observed catching perch measuring between 13” – 14”. Pickerel action was also good with a few observed being caught measuring from 22” – 23.” Ice anglers also reported catching bass, but most were below the minimum size of 15.” Panfish action was slow at the lake. Live minnow, wax worms and butter worms appeared to be the best choice of baits. Most fishing action was occurring off boat launch B.
Ice fishing action was a little slower at Beltzville Lake. Ice anglers reported catching a few bass, pickerel including panfish in the upper reaches of Preachers Camp access area.
Both ice anglers and non – ice anglers alike are reminded that ice conditions on most Commonwealth waters are not monitored. Before venturing out onto the ice, drill or spud a sample hole and measure the ice as you move out from the shore. Stay alert for differences in ice thickness and appearances as you move. Never go out on the ice that’s less than four inches. Avoid areas where there are feeder streams and springs including dark, honeycombed or porous ice. Wear a life jacket or carry a personal flotation Type IV seat cushion including rope in case of an emergency. Always take a partner and let others know exactly where you are going and when you will return. Know how to dress for cold weather. Wear insulated waterproof boots, ice cleats, and a pair of thick wool or non-cotton socks including waterproof gloves. Wear handheld ice picks or spiked devices in the event of breaking through the ice, and you’re able to pull yourself out.
Lackawanna County
The recent cold snap has created some good ice conditions across the county. At Lackawanna Lake the panfish have been biting all week. Anglers have been doing well in the area of the swimming pool. Some of the private ponds above the state park have been producing some nice perch and largemouth bass. Early ice seems to always produce the best fishing opportunities.
Susquehanna/E. Bradford Counties
Many anglers are taking advantage of the hard water in Susquehanna County resulting in some nice fish. Most anglers have been using wax worms or minnows. An interesting trend has been that most anglers either have a Senior Lifetime License or a Multi-Year License. The convenience of not having to run out to get a new license, when the year changes, is good reason for someone to consider that Multi-Year License.
Wyoming County
Ice fishermen have been active since the lakes have frozen. There have been ice anglers on virtually every public lake in the area, as well as many fishing smaller farm ponds and semi-private lakes. The most fish being caught are in the ponds in Southwest Susquehanna County. Successful anglers have been catching perch on minnows and wax worms.
Western Bradford & Sullivan County
Ice anglers fishing the North Branch of the Susquehanna River are having great success targeting walleye using minnows. Ice anglers on ponds and other impoundments are producing steady panfish with mealworms and wax worms on small jigs.
Southeast Region
Chester County
Anglers were catching panfish through the ice at Coatesville Reservoir last week. They recommended using small fathead minnows off the bottom on tip-ups out around 100 yards from the center of the dam.
Reminder: The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly across the lake. 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/safety.htm
I was wondering if anybody is fishing at Sayers … is the ice still good ,I have to travel over an hour any help would be appreciated