Northeastern Region
Carbon County
With the help of warmer weather arriving on the statewide opening day of trout season, most of the approved trout waters in the district received medium to heavy angler pressure. A number of anglers reported or were observed catching and taking their limits of trout on the Pohopoco Creek, Mauch Chunk Creek, Lehigh Canal and the Princess Run (Monroe County). Live minnow, salmon eggs, night crawler, meal worm were successful baits to use. A number of anglers fishing the Buckwa Creek and the Aquashicola Creek reported lesser success catching their limit of trout.
Anglers fishing the Lehigh River from Lehighton downriver to the Bowmanstown area also reported catching trout as a local sportsmen club had stocked the river on the statewide opening day of trout season. Although most of the approved trout waters received a good amount of fishing pressure on the opening day, anglers were also observed doing well catching trout on the second day of the season.
On April 20th Aquashicola Creek, Buckwa Creek (Monroe County) and the Princess Run (Monroe County) received an in-season trout stocking. Fishing pressure was observed being light on these streams during and after they were stocked. On April 21st the Lizard Creek received an in-season trout stocking. Fishing pressure was very light to non-existent on portions of the stream due to stream flow conditions being high after recent rain events. On Thursday, April 23rd, the Nesquehoning Creek, Mauch Chunk Creek and the Lehigh Canal will receive an in-season trout stocking. Persons interested in assisting with this stocking should meet the stocking truck at the dirt pull off located at the intersection of Stock St. (RT 54) and Park Ave. at 12:15 pm.
Monroe County
Sunny conditions with a very light breeze, lead to a very large turnout for the opening day of trout season. Trout anglers flooded the Brodhead and McMichael’s Creeks. Anglers reported lower than average catches but as the water continues to warm anglers should find more success.
Bradford & Sullivan Counties
Fishing on the West Branch Fishing Creek in Sullivan County should be great this season, thanks to an exceptional effort from a very experienced crew of stocking assistants!
The median age in this group of guys is 67. We are glad to see them out enjoying life and helping stock a creek that they have enjoyed fishing for many, many… many years!
Zack Sinay from Sayre , Pa with a 19 ½ “ Golden Rainbow trout caught on opening day in Wysox Creek.
Alixandria Staranowski of Canton, PA caught this 19.5” Golden Rainbow using a small egg sack. Alixandria was proudly wearing her voluntary youth license. (Maybe that brought her the luck!)
Northwest Region
Western Erie County
Upper Gravel Pits, Walnut, Elk, and Crooked Creeks
Upper Gravel Pits, Walnut, Elk, and Crooked Creeks
The weather cooperated and the tributaries were stocked for opening day. Lots of anglers of all ages lined the banks of the west county tributaries and there was much success. Along with nice sized stocked brown trout to the occasional fresh steelhead, anglers had a good weekend. Additionally, it’s that time of year for kid’s derbies and many new faces will get their first taste of landing the big one. As a dad introducing my oldest son to fishing, it’s a great feeling introducing kids to fishing. A child can learn a lot outdoors that they cannot learn in a classroom, so get out there and share our sport anglers.
Lake Erie
With the warmer temperatures and open waters near shore, a few boaters have ventured out of Walnut Creek Marina in search of Yellow Perch. The Walnut Creek Channel is scheduled to be dredged after the docks are installed at North East Marina which begins Monday April 20th. Smaller and shallow draft boats are able to get into the lake even though the channel is full of sediment.
Crawford County
Pymatuning Reservoir
Crappies and Yellow Perch have been caught in the bays in the North end of the lake. Jigs tipped with minnows seem to be the ticket. Muskies have been caught throughout the lake especially in the shallow areas.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Panfish action is picking up on County Lakes. Anglers are catching Yellow Perch and Crappie on Hills Creek, Hammond, and Hamilton Lakes. Water temperatures are close to 50 F. Live minnows, redworms, and baby nightcrawlers are working best. Bass and Pickerel are also beginning to hit! A few Bass are being caught; some are about 3 lbs. A few of the pickerel being caught are measuring 20”. The Bass and Pickerel are being caught using live shiners, jerkbaits, jigs, and plastic worms.
Hamilton, Beechwood, and Lyman Run Lakes
Many trout are being caught using paste baits, butterworms, and live minnows. Chartreuse, rainbow, and yellow paste baits were the most popular. Garlic-scented baits are also working well.
Anglers are catching trout on various lures, including gold or silver spinners and spoons. Fly anglers are catching trout on streamers and wet fly patterns.
Asaph, Stonyfork, Marsh Creek, and Upper Pine Creek
Anglers are doing particularly well. Water levels are up a little and are off color. Baits that are working well are garlic- and shrimp- flavored salmon eggs, wax worms, butterworms, and meal worms. Anglers fishing for native Brook Trout are doing well using redworms on small streams and tributaries to Pine Creek.
McKean County
Water temperatures are still in the mid-40s. Anglers were out in force over the weekend!
Potato Creek
Cold water temperatures made for some slow fishing to start opening day; but it picked up later in the day. Anglers were catching trout using red worms, meal worms, and spinners.
Jefferson County
Little Sandy Creek
Anglers are catching Brook and Brown trout using wax worms and meal worms fished in deep holes.
Sandy Lick Creek and Redbank Creek
Anglers are catching trout using minnows in the riffle areas. Fishing is a little slower, but worth the wait on the larger streams.
Centre County
Coldstream Dam
Coldstream
Anglers are catching trout using red worms and meal worms. A few salmon eggs are also working. The bite slows down in the mid-afternoon hours, but picks up in the early to late evening hours.
Six Mile Run
Anglers are catching trout using worms and small spinners
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch at the spillway using minnows.
Spring Creek
Anglers are catching trout on blue wing olives and granum caddis patterns in early to late evening hours. A variety of nymphs are working in the early morning to late morning hours. Nymphs are also working in the evening hours. Egg patterns are also working well.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Anglers are catching trout on a variety of nymphs (e.g. green weenies; sucker spawn/egg imitations; frenchies; prince nymphs). A few anglers fishing the high water in the morning are catching trout on streamer patterns (e.g. olive; brown and black).
Marsh Creek
Anglers are catching trout using sucker spawn/salmon eggs, red worms and live minnows.
Lycoming County
Pine Creek
Anglers are catching trout on a variety of nymph patterns and lures. Worms and live minnows are also working well to catch trout.
Muncy Creek
Anglers are catching trout using spinners, red worms and salmon eggs.
Southeastern Region
N. Montgomery County
The East Branch Perkiomen Creek (Montgomery County) (900M UPS OF SR1017 SKIP SAL RD –to- T356 BERGEYS MILL RD) will receive its in-season stocking of trout on April 23. This section only receives fish in-season, so this is your chance to get out and enjoy a wonderful stretch of the East Branch Perkie. The fish will be stocked at Camp Wawa Park, Bergey’s Mills Park, and Salford Park. All three parks offer lots of parking and plenty of room for families to experience a wonderful trout fishing opportunity. Enjoy and Happy Fishing!
N. Chester County
Marsh Creek
Bluegills and crappies are taking the usual baits for this time of the year; meal and wax worms, minnows and small brightly colored jigs. Bass fishing has been slow so far this season. I’m guessing it’s due to the abnormally cold spring. However bass have been taking jigs, spinners and crank baits. The best rubber worm colors to use are large black, purple, dark green rubber worms and pumpkin seed. The best live baits are crayfish, minnows and night crawlers. It is illegal to target bass while they are protecting their redds.
Streams
French Creek, Pickering Creek, East Brandywine Creek and West Valley Creek were high after the strong thunderstorms on 4/20/15. The fishing pressure has been light for this time of the year, which means there are still trout left to fish for. Water temps have been hovering in the 50s. Anglers have been doing well with spinners for trout. A few are having great success with small soft plastic baits. Bait anglers are doing equally well with minnows, small wax and mealworms. Fly anglers have reported taking trout on black caddis, stoneflies, and midges. Small pheasant tail and hares ears nymphs are also producing good results for the fly anglers. Remember, you may never possess bait in any of the special regulation areas. The Fly Fishing area is catch & release only, and anglers cannot possess trout in the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only Areas until June 15, 2015
Schuylkill River
The Black Rock area; Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass fishing near the Cromby Power Plant outflow has picked up since the warm weather moved in. Crankbaits and live bait are still the best producers. I’ve also spoken with several catfish anglers who have caught Channel Catfish on liver and Flathead Catfish on live bait.
Note: Stay clear of the fish ladder at Black Rock Dam. Violators caught fishing within 100’ of that area will be prosecuted.
S. Chester County
Trout Stocking
Little Muddy Creek & Middle Creek are to be stocked on Thursday, April 23 at 10:30AM. The meeting place will be the PGC Middle Creek Visitor Center.
The Beaver Creek, Section 2, White Clay Creek, Middle Sec. 3, Pocopson Creek Sec. 2, White Clay Creek Section 1, will be stocked with trout on Monday, April 27. The meeting place will be across from the Sadsburyville Post Office at 11:30AM.
Hammer Creek Sections 2, 4, & 6, & Little Cocalico Creek To Be Stocked on Friday, April 24 at 11:15AM. The meeting place is the SGL at Route 322 and Pumping Station Road.
W. Schuylkill/N. Berks Counties
Nice crappies are being caught in the coves at Blue Marsh Lake. Minnows seem to be the preferred bait.
Trout fishing throughout the district has picked up as the water temperatures have increased. Trout are being caught in both counties.
Remember that the mandatory cold weather personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) wear regulation remains in effect until April 30. This requires all persons on all boats less than 16 feet and all canoes and kayaks to be wearing a PFD at all times. This regulation has been in effect since 2012. As the air temperature warms up, many people are neglecting to wear their PFD as required and are being cited for it. This is a major safety concern.