REMINDER: The PFBC does not monitor ice thickness. Ice thickness and conditions can vary greatly 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
Northeastern Region
Lackawanna County
Anglers were scarce this past weekend but those who ventured out did very well. Bluegills and crappies were biting at Lackawanna Lake, especially around sunset. Plenty of Largemouth Bass were also on the ice over the weekend including this 24 inch 7lb plus fish landed on a tip up at a private pond near the Susquehanna County line.
Susquehanna County
Northern Wallenpaupack District
The weather here in the middle of March is still cold and the ice is good for ice fishing, but you still need to be extra careful and ALWAYS check the ice conditions before heading out to fish and wear a PFD. The fishing here in the district has been slow but anglers are still having success with bluegills, perch, and pickerel on Shohola Lake, Greeley Lake and in some areas of Lake Wallenpaupack.
Northern Wayne County
The ice fishing continues to be productive. Reports of Smallmouth Bass being taken on tip ups in the afternoon are being received. Perch are hitting all over the county with jigging rods with wax worms or fat heads are doing the trick.
Northwest Region
Erie County
Walnut, Elk, Crooked Creeks & Upper Gravel Pit
The ice has moved out of the tributaries and the water levels are coming down nicely. In some areas there is still a lot of shore ice. Anglers are catching some Steelhead at the mouth of Trout Run, Lower Walnut & Elk Creeks.
Lake Erie / Presque Isle Bay
Off East Avenue some very nice Brown Trout have been caught through the ice but that will be over very soon. Try casting your favorites lures from the break walls at the launch ramp and you might have the same luck. Presque Isle Bay is loaded with bait fish and Steelhead so, after the ice disappears, get out either by boat or cast from shore and try your luck.
Crawford County
Pymatuning Reservoir
The Linesville Spillway is starting to heat up for spring spawn Walleyes. A few have been caught but as the water warms up the bite will also. The spillway area has also seen some very nice slab crappies being caught.
Remember COLD WEATHER WEAR is in effect for boats less than 16 feet and all canoes and kayaks – anglers must wear their PFD through April 30th.
North Central Region
Centre County
Small nymphs (blue wing olives, prince and zebra midges) are working on Spring Creek, although fishing is slow because of the cold water from the recent snow melt.
Clinton County
Anglers on Fishing Creek also reported slow fishing due to the snow melt; but there was limited success on streamers.
Tioga County
Anglers are still ice fishing throughout the county. While the PFBC does not monitor ice thickness, there were reports from anglers that they had to cut through about 12+ inches of ice to fish.
Anglers were spotted fishing Hills Creek during most of the past week.
Northumberland and Snyder Counties
The Northcentral Region is gearing up for the Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day on April 11 and the Statewide Opening Day of Trout on April 18. For more information about our Mentored Youth Program, please visit our website: http://fishandboat.com/MentoredYouth.htm
- Please note that Mahantango Creek, between Northumberland and Dauphin counties, and West Branch Mahantango Creek, between Snyder and Juniata counties are the ONLY streams open on the earlier (Regional) date, which is March 28.
- Make sure that you know which waters have been stocked prior to your outing. All waters that have been stocked for Mentored Youth days are highlighted in each of the County Listings here: http://fbweb.pa.gov/stocking/TroutStockingDetails_GIS.aspx
Reminder about trout fishing regulations this time of year:
- Approved Trout Waters Open to year-round fishing: (excerpt) These waters are open to fishing from March 1 to opening day of trout season; however, no trout may be taken or possessed on these waters during this period. Here is a link to Approved Trout Waters open to year-round fishing: http://fishandboat.com/fishpub/summary/yearround.html
Southeastern Region
N. Berks County/W. Schuylkill County
This Saturday is the Mentored Youth Fishing Day in the 18 southern counties including Schuylkill and Berks. Approved Trout Waters not under special regulation are open to fishing to permitted youth 15 and younger and their properly licensed mentors allowing them each to catch two trout. All other waters that are not approved trout waters are open to fishing but closed to the taking of trout.
Another reminder, as the area lakes are opening up after the long winter, that we are in the mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) wear period. All persons on all boats less than 16 feet in length and all canoes and kayaks are required to be wearing an approved PFD (life jacket) at all times while on the water.
E. Berks County
Sacony Creek (Berks County) received its preseason stocking of trout on March 17. The sun was shining and the stream conditions were ideal for the arrival of the fish. Bowers Park did receive it full complement of fish and will be open this season for fishing. Mill Creek (Trib To Sacony Creek) also was stocked from 500 M UPSTRM T 799 (STUMP RD) all the way to where it reaches Sacony Creek. Willow Creek also received its preseason stocking as well.
N. Chester County
Marsh Creek Lake: The lake is finally thawing and making access a little easier. Bass fishing is still a bit slow. The crappie fishing has not been notable to this point, and the general consensus is that the water is still too cold. The best baits have been bright colored jigs, meal worms and live minnows. Marsh Creek Lake is in the Big Bass Program. Bass must be at least 15” to keep.
French Creek, Pickering Creek, East Brandywine Creek and West Valley Creek are flowing; but are clear, with water temperatures in the low to mid high 30s. The fishing pressure in the Special Regulations Areas has been low depending on the weather and temperature. Lures are not working as well again due to the cold water temps. Fly anglers are doing fair, but fishing with very light lines and using small flies. Egg fly imitations, streamers and small black flies have been producing the best. All of the Approved Trout Streams are nearly stocked and ready for opening day (April 4).
Remember, you may never have bait in your possession in Delayed Harvest Areas. You may not be in possession of fish in the Delayed Harvest Areas Artificial Lures Only Areas until June 15, 2015.
S. Chester County
If you live in the Southern Chester County area and are interested in fly fishing, then consider joining the White Clay Fly Fishers. Meetings are held at 7 PM on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the London Tract Meetinghouse in the White Clay Creek Preserve, located at the intersection of Sharpless & London Tract roads, Landenberg PA 19350, next to White Clay State Park Office. Parking for meetings is behind the White Clay State Park Office. The club’s mailing address is P.O. Box 762, Landenberg, PA 19350 for membership information. The club teaches fly tying, fly fishing, holds fishing trips, outings, picnics, does stream clean ups, has a library of over 100 fly fishing books and dvds that you can borrow and gives presentations on fly fishing by special guests at the end of the monthly meetings.
Two anglers in a boat caught a few nice crappies around 10 – 11 inches long at Chambers Lake. They were fishing near the bottom with fathead minnows in thirty feet of water in the center of the dam. They put a small weight above the fathead and let it sink to the bottom and then reeled it up about a foot and then would occasionally lift the rod tip a foot or so then let the fathead fall back as they lowered the rod tip, sort of a slow modified jigging. Good luck!
The West Branch Brandywine Creek, Section 3, has been stocked with trout, including some nice trophy Golden Rainbow Trout. The stocking points were at the Drive at Freedom Circle at 40-00’56.2″ North and 75-50’09.1″ West, the Hatfield Road Bridge at 40-00’54.4″ North and 75-50’38.3″ West , Rim Trail RR Bed Stop #1 at 40-01’02.3″ North and 75-50’42.3″ West, Rim Trail RR Bed Stop #2 at 40-01’13.4″ North and 75-50’49.3″ West, the Rim Trail Bridge at 40-01’18.6″ North and 75-50’50.5″ West, below the Wagontown Road Bridge at 40-01’19.0″ North and 75-50’50.5″ West, above Wagontown Road Bridge at 40-01’19.8″ North and 75-50’51.6″ West, park side RR bed trail (gators used to stock) at 40-01’19.7″ North and 75-50’50.4″ West, The Wall at 40-01’32.0″ North and 75-50’39.5″ West, the old dam and picnic area above old dam (fish stocked both directions on gators) at 40-01’41.2″ North and 75-50’17.9″ West, and downstream of the Cedar Knoll Bridge. Thanks to everyone that took the time to come out to help make the Regional Opening Day a success. PFBC would also like to thank Hibernia Park Staff who helped with the gators to really spread those beauties around and to Forest Campbell for his continued coordinating of the stockings.
The Beaver Creek Section 2, SR30 to the mouth, Buck Run Section 2, Compass Road to Route 372, and Pocopson Creek Section 2, Red Lion Road to mouth will be stocked with trout on Wednesday April 1st . We will meet the stocking truck at 11:30 AM across from the Sadsburyville Post Office. Please consider coming out to assist us in making this a great opening day.