Northeastern Region
Lackawanna County
The opening day of trout went exceptionally well as anglers caught plenty of limits along the South Branch Tunkhannock.
Anglers fishing from boats seemed to fair a little better than shore fisherman at Lackawanna Lake but plenty of limits including some nice sized trout were taken.
Those anglers that had a variety of different baits and lures did very well along the Roaring Brook in Scranton and Dunmore on the opening weekend of trout.
The reservoirs owned by PA American Water Company that are open to public fishing (Maple Lake, Griffin Pond, Curtis, Elmhurst & Dunmore #1 Reservoir) are all ice free and fishable.
Black crappies are biting at Lake Wilson. Reports of some nice sized crappies have been reported.
Northwest Region
Eastern Erie County
Lake Pleasant, Lake Leboeuf and Eaton Reservoir
These impoundments are open and the panfish are biting.
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is open and anglers are reporting good numbers of Smallmouth Bass being caught in Presque Isle Bay and around the Hammermill stacks. Yellow Perch are being caught on the South Pier and around the bay. This should be a good weekend for Lake Trout off of the North East Marina.
PFBC Maintenance crews are installing the docks and the public dock at the launch area. Crews will be moving sand and dredging for the next 2 weeks. The North East Marina officially opens.
Dredging and dock installation should be completed at the Shade Beach Safe Harbor Marina within the next two weeks.
Forest County
Area Trout Waters
Anglers are doing well on the smaller trout waters due to the high flow of the larger streams. Anglers are catching trout on power bait and minnows (live or salted). Water temps are around 45 degrees; therefor anglers should fish deep and slow. Use plenty of split shot and be patient.
Tionesta Outflow
Anglers fishing the Tionesta Outflow are reminded that a trout stamp is required all year regardless of fishing for or keeping trout.
Mercer County
Shenango Reservoir
Crappie are starting to be caught around the reservoir. The catches are still slow and sporadic. The boat ramps are in at the major boat launches. If venturing out for the first time, make sure you check your equipment. As of March 31, 2015 Registrations are EXPIRED. Remember your first step in an emergency or to report on illegal activity is to call 9-1-1.
Shenango River
The water levels are perfect in the river. The river has been stocked for the first in-season stocking and there are still plenty of stocked trout in the outflow. This area 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. Mandatory Cold Water PFD wear will continue until April 30th. Even though the temperature may be warm, the water is still cold.
Other parts of the County
The other Approved Trout Waters have been stocked and restocked. The water temperature has been great for the fish and anglers are having great success.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Upper Pine Creek
Hatches are a little behind schedule with the cold weather, but anglers are catching trout using a variety of nymphs and streamers.
Bait anglers are catching trout using waxworms, mealworms and a variety of salmon eggs.
A few trout up to 24 inches were caught this week, including some large Golden Rainbow Trout.
With warmer weather predicted for later this week fishing should be great by the weekend!
Marsh Creek and Asaph Run
Anglers are catching trout using redworms, waxworms and salmon eggs. A few anglers are catching trout on spinners and spoons.
Hamilton Lake
The lake is fishing very well! Anglers are catching trout in good numbers using fathead minnows, dough baits, waxworms and butterworms. Plain gold and plain silver spoons and spinners are working as well.
Anglers are catching Crappie now. Most of the fish are holding just offshore, but are beginning to school up. The bait of choice is minnows fished under a bobber.
Cowanesque and Hammond Lakes
Anglers are catching a few Bass and Crappie, but overall the bite is slow at this time. The warm weather will help increase the success later this week.
Elk County
Weather has been chilly since opening weekend. This means that many anglers have not been fishing and that there are lots of trout in County streams.
Warm weather predicted for the end of this week will make for perfect trout fishing conditions. Come on out and catch a few!
Centre County
Spring Creek
Caddis are hatching! Anglers are catching trout on walt’s worms, squirmy wormies, and scuds
Little Beech Creek
Anglers are catching trout using wax worms and minnows.
Insert photo: Morgan Nichols, of Bellefonte, PA, caught a Brook Trout while fishing with her family recently. Congratulations Morgan! (photo taken by Bob Nichols)
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
Anglers are catching trout on caddis larvae imitations, walt’s worms, olive/black streamer patterns. The water levels are beginning to recede, so fishing will be perfect this coming weekend!
Lycoming County
Pine Creek
Anglers are catching trout using olive wooly buggers with a little gold flash and black wooly buggers, caddis larvae, woven stone flies and green weenies. A few anglers are catching trout using spinners. Others are catching trout using live minnows.
Southeastern Region
S. Chester County
The Beaver Creek Section 2, from SR 30 to the mouth has been stocked with trout.
The Pocopson Creek Section 2, from SR 3027 (Red Lion Road) to the mouth has been stocked with trout.
The Middle Branch White Clay Creek, Section 3, Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only, has been stocked with trout. Thank you to all the individuals who came out to help and special thanks to B. Cordivano & Forest Campbell and the White Clay Fly Fishers for their help. The stocked section is a 1.7 mile stretch that runs from Good Hope Road at 39 45′ 43.7″ North, 75 47′ 03.9″ West to the confluence with the East Branch White Clay in the White Clay Creek Preserve at 39 44′ 57.7″ North, 75 46′ 10.4″ West. The fish were float stocked by the White Clay Fly Fishers at two points, with about half the fish at each location. The points that were stocked are Good Hope Road at 39 45′ 43.7″ North, 75 47′ 03.9″ West, the Iron Bridge on London Tract in the center of the section at 39 45′ 16.2″ North, 75 46′ 51.6″ West, The Bridge on Sharpless Road at 39 45′ 01.9″ North, 75 46′ 16.3″, would be the lower limit of the stocked area.
To get to the White Clay Creek, Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section, take Route 41 to just south of Avondale and turn south on Penn Green Road. Follow Penn Green Road to Good Hope Road and turn right on Good Hope. Go past Bank Road and Crestwood Road and you will come to the top of the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only section of the White Clay. Limited Parking is available on either side of the bridge. More parking is available in the lot near the Iron Bridge at London Tract in the center of the section. For more information on The White Clay Creek Preserve, you can call the park office at 610-274-2900. Be mindful of the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only regulations if you decide to go fishing there. Open to year round fishing, no closed season. A current fishing license with a trout stamp is required when fishing in a Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only area at all times. Trout may only be creeled from June 15th to Labor Day when the minimum size is 9 inches and the creel limit is three (3). From Labor Day to June 15th, the creel limit is zero (0). Fishing can only be done with artificial lures only constructed of metal, plastic, rubber, or wood, or with flies and streamers constructed of natural or synthetic materials. all lures may be fished with spinning or fly fishing gear. The use or possession of any natural bait, baitfish, fishbait, bait paste and similar substances, fish eggs, natural or molded, or any other edible substance is prohibited. Taking baitfish or fishbait is always prohibited. Good Luck!
The White Clay Creek Section 1, from the confluence of the East Branch and the Middle Branch of the White Clay Creeks to the Pennsylvania and Delaware State line has been stocked with trout. We saw many anglers and many fish remaining from prior stockings.
Lancaster County
IN-SEASON STOCKING
The week of April 19 realized completion of trout stocking in S. Lancaster County [South of Rt. 30] and began in-season stocking of N. Lancaster County [North of Rt. 30].
On Wednesday, April 22 Conoy Creek, Little Chiques Creek and Little Conestoga Creek received their in-season plant of Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.
On Thursday April 23rd the West Branch Octoraro Creek [Section #2 – T-696 Bridge at Mount Pleasant Road to 27 meters downstream of SR 472], Little Beaver Creek and the West Branch Little Conestoga Creek received an in-season plant of Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.
West Branch Octoraro Creek
With its headwaters located at the confluence of Meeting House Creek and Nickel Mine Creek [at 149 Lamparter Road, Bart Twp.], the West Branch Octoraro Creek flows for an approximate 13 miles before entering the Chester Water Authority’s Octoraro Reservoir approximately 550 yards above the Spruce Grove Road bridge at the Municipal Boundary between Colerain and Little Britain Township. The West Branch Octoraro Creek – Section #2 is an approximate 5 mile stretch of the creek.
On Friday, April 24, Hammer Creek and Little Cocalico Creek received an in-season plant of Rainbow and Brown Trout. Hammer Creek[1] is a 19.2-mile-long tributary of Cocalico Creek.
Significant sections of the Little Chiques Creek, Little Conestoga, West Branch Octoraro Creek, West Branch Little Conestoga Creek, Hammer Creek and the Little Cocalico Creek were float stocked as per below:
Float Stocked Sections of Approved Trout Waters
| APPROVED TROUT WATER | SECTION | COMMENTS |
| Little Chiques Creek | Downstream from Mt Pleasant Rd. Bridge Downstream from dam at Cove Outlook Park |
|
| Little Conestoga Creek | Downstream from the Miller Road Bridge Downstream from PPL/SR 72 Bridge |
Float stocking precludes stock truck stop at flory mill |
| W. Br.Octoraro Creek –Section #2 | Downstream from Mt. Pleasant Rd – covered bridge Downstream from Hollow Rd Bridge Downstream from Fairview Rd Downstream from PA American – pumping station |
DALE HERR JR. FARM** |
| Little Beaver Creek | Downstream from 302 Hilltop Road to children’s clinic | |
| W. Br. Little Conestoga | Downstream from former Wright’s Furniture | Letort Rd. To Owl Bridge Rd. |
| Hammer Creek | Downstream from Michter’s Rd Bridge Downstream from mid-point – Pumping Station Rd Downstream from Snavely Mill Downstream from Lincoln Rd Bridge Downstream from Carpenter Rd Bridge Downstream from Buch Mill Rd Bridge Downstream from Pine Hill Rd |
State game lands – section #2 State game lands – section #2 Section #4 Section #6 Section #6 Section #6 Section #6 |
| Little Cocalico Creek | Downstream from Turnpike Bridge | Custom fab building N. 4th street, denver |
**Anglers Advisory: West Branch Octoraro Creek – Run-of-the-River Dam: Anglers who may opt to wade fish in this immediate area are cautioned to stay clear of the “exclusionary zone” as is indicated on the posted safety signage. Anglers observed to be wade fishing within the defined exclusionary zone are subject to being cited. As for those who work the stream banks, be aware that consistent with PFBC policy fish were not stocked within 200 yards of the dam
Anglers are advised that due to the advantages gained by float stocking operations; several traditional stocking points have been eliminated. Specifically, in consideration of safety concerns and high-density traffic, the PFBC stocking truck is not stopping at Flory Mill on the Little Conestoga Creek. Similarly, the stop on Snavely Mill Road at the crest of the hill [across from 45] on Section #4 of the Hammer Creek has been eliminated. In these instances, float stocking from upstream will result in the movement or direct planting of trout into these stream areas.
Great American Cleanup of PA
Student groups and other organizations are encouraged to plan a stream side clean-up and have their efforts recognized as participants in this annual initiative of the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful organization. To register your event, or obtain additional resources link to www.gacofpa.org. This annual event runs through May 31st. Read more below:
PennDOT: Statewide Great American Cleanup Of PA Volunteers Needed
The Department of Transportation is seeking volunteers for this year’s Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, which begins March 1 and runs through May 31.
The cleanup is sponsored each year by PennDOT, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, the Department of Environmental Protection and other partners. Groups participating in PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway Program, which involves volunteers cleaning roadsides year round, are also encouraged to participate in the cleanup.
Interested individuals can find a listing of cleanup events, resources for organizing a cleanup, and other information about the effort online. Groups interested in adopting a section of highway are encouraged to contact their local PennDOT County Maintenance office and ask for the AAH coordinator.
During last year’s Great American Cleanup, 6.4 million pounds of litter was collected from Pennsylvania’s roads, trails and shorelines by more than 136,000 volunteers. PennDOT’s AAH program contributed nearly 75,000 volunteers who cleaned up nearly 45 percent of the collected litter on 10,317 miles of cleaned up roadway.
PennDOT provides gloves, trash bags and safety vests to AAH and Great American Cleanup of PA groups. In addition to the event, during the “Pick it Up PA Days” from April 11 to May 4 registered events have access to reduced or free disposal at participating landfills.
For more information, visit the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania webpage.
Northwest River Trail Services Building Dedication
On Friday, May 1, the NWRT Service Building will be dedicated; Friday evening the River Park will host a family-friendly, multi-dimensional program with various exhibitors and presentations.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission District Officer J. Schmidt will staff a boating safety/boating law informational exhibit. A brief informal program at 4:30 and 6:30 demonstrating required safety equipment and underscoring key aspects of Pennsylvania’s boating law will be presented and further provide answers to boaters queries. Additionally on hand will be two of the Officer’s reptilian patrol partners, which represent a slithering demonstration of the Commission’s protection of PA native reptiles and amphibians. Educational boating and fishing literature for adults and children will be available.
More information about the event can be found here: http://www.columbiapa.net/home/