Northeastern Region
Lackawanna County
The following bodies of water are stocked or will be stocked for the mentored youth fishing day: Lackawanna Lake, South Branch Tunkhannock, Roaring Brook and DeSantis Pond. With the cold water temperatures make sure you try a variety of baits and use a slower retrieval.
Anglers venturing out in boats are required to wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) until April 30th while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak. Also, remember to check your boats registration as they expire on the 31st of March. Most boat registrations can be renewed on line.
Left to Right: Glenn Mikolaczyk, Marty Dunay, Steve Leuthe, Jeff Dippel, Tony Kubilus, Chris Miller, “Fritz” Robertson, Ed Fortuna and fish culturist Morgan Wood.
Carbon County
Cold and windy weather conditions including higher stream levels on the Regional Opening Day of trout season on both the Mahoning Creek and the Lizard Creek resulted in anglers reporting catching less trout. However, on the second day of the season anglers reported catching more trout as the weather became nicer and the stream levels returned to normal levels. A number of anglers were successful catching golden trout with some measuring between 20 – 23 inches. Paste baits, live minnow, wax worms and night crawlers appeared to work very well.
Although the Mahoning Creek and the Lizard Creek received heavy angler pressure during the weekend of the Regional Opening Day of trout season, anglers are still reporting seeing and catching a good number of trout. Anglers are reminded that all other Approved Trout Waters are closed to fishing until April 18th at 8 am. Please consult the 2015 PA Fishing Summary for a listing of the Approved Trout Waters.
On Saturday, April 11th at 8am the statewide Mentored Youth Day will occur. Youth anglers, under 16 years of age, can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current 2015 PA fishing license and trout permit to fish the approved trout waters in the state. As a reminder, the participating mentored youth must possess either a valid Mentored Youth Permit which is free or the Voluntary Youth Fishing License. For more information on the Mentored Youth Trout Days program please visit www.fishandboat.com/mentoredyouth.htm. Anglers are also reminded that all approved trout waters may not be stocked prior to April 11th Mentored Youth Trout Day.
On April 13th and April 15th a Basic Boating course will be held at Beltzville State Park. The course will be held from 6pm to 10 pm each night. There is no fee for the course. All participants must pre-register and attend both sessions. Persons interesting in attending the course should contact Beltzville State Park Office at 610-377-0045 to register. The boating safety education certificate is required for all persons who operate a personal watercraft or anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who will be operating a motorboat of more than 25 horsepower.
Wayne and Pike County
The ice here in the north east is finished and it has become unsafe to fish on the hard water anymore. Hang up your ice auger and ice fishing equipment and dust off your regular gear in anticipation of the opening day of trout. The season is fast approaching and a lot of the waters have already been stocked. The Mentored Youth Day is on April 11th and the statewide opener is on April 18th. Go have fun and enjoy time away from your stressful jobs and relax along a stream or lake.
Sullivan County
The first day of trout season is almost upon us and it would be much more difficult to stock all the waterways without volunteers that come out to help. Thank you to all the dedicated sportsmen that come out and help stock!
Thank you for your help!
Northern Wayne County
Ice fishing has held on in the region and most northern lakes were still frozen as of last weekend. Upper Woods Pond was stocked on April 1st and still had 20” of ice.
With the warmer weather this past week ice anglers are reminded to be aware of changing conditions. It is recommended that any ice fishermen should wear a personal floatation device and carry ice awls.
Reports of bluegill, crappie, perch and bass continue at Prompton Dam and White Oak Pond. Duck Harbor Pond is providing some good perch fishing during mid-afternoon, in the vicinity of the boat launch.
The West Branch Delaware River is beginning to open and most of the main stem Delaware River is still frozen but changing rapidly.
Northcentral Region
REMINDER: Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Fishing day is this Saturday, April 11, 2015!!! Get out and fish with your children. More information, and how to participate, can be found here: http://fishandboat.com/MentoredYouth.htm
Centre County
Bald Eagle Creek and Penns Creek
Kayakers and canoers are out and about already! Paddlers are reminded that it is mandatory to wear life jackets through April 30, 2015. Water temperatures are cold; remember to layer up when venturing out!
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
The ice has melted, and boaters can access the lake! Winter Launch is where a few boats have launched in the last few days.
The bite is slow; but Yellow Perch are being caught near the causeway and lower greens area. Minnows are the bait of choice.
Anglers are catching Yellow Perch at the spillway using live minnows.
Penns Creek
Anglers are catching trout on streamers and nymph patterns. Fishing has been great during rain events. Target the banks and some of the shallow pockets; you might be surprised what size trout might be lurking there!
Spring Creek
The recent rains are pushing trout to the edges of the stream. Anglers are still catching trout using small nymphs (blue wing olives, prince, Walt’s worms, scuds, and zebra midges). In the early morning hours, anglers are catching trout using olive or black streamers.
Tioga County
The ice across the county is slowly leaving. Most of it should be melted by the end of this week. Just in time for the Mentored Youth Trout day!
Lycoming County
Pine Creek
The ice has cleared out, opening some areas for anglers to fish! There are still some large ice chunks along the banks; anglers should use caution when maneuvering through to fish.
Reminder about trout fishing regulations this time of year:
Approved Trout Waters Open to year-round fishing: 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
Berks County
Chester County
The boat dock at Chambers Lake is pulled out of the water each winter to prevent damage to it during the freezing weather. With the return of the warm weather, the boat dock has been returned to the water and is now available for launching and retrieving your boat. Good luck.
The West Chester Fish and Game and Wildlife Association will be stocking the Paradise Farm Pond for the Kids Trout Rodeo on April 17 and could use your help. Wear waders and have the ability to carry 35 pound buckets of fish. The West Chester Fish and Game and Wildlife Association will host the Kids Trout Rodeo on April 18 from 8am to 2pm. The event will be held at the Paradise Farm Pond, 1300 Valley Creek Road, Downingtown, PA. 19335. Lunch will be provided for you but you must bring your own baits of choice and fishing equipment.
The Coventryville Trout Club and Warwick County Park will host an Outdoor Fest and Kids Trout Rodeo on the French Creek on May 9 from 8:15am to 2pm. The event will be held at Warwick County Park. For more information you can visit the website at http://www.chesco.org/index.aspx?NID=1070 and click on the Chester County Fishing Link.
The Brandywine Trout Club will host the Brandywine Trout Club Kid’s Only Trout Rodeo at Kerr Park in Downingtown on April 18. Trout, including tiger, palominos and brooks will be stocked for the event. Participants must be 15 years and younger. There are a limited amount of tickets available. For more information, you can visit the website at www.BrandywineTrout.net
The Buck Run Section 2, the East Branch White Clay Creek Section 2 and the East Branch White Clay Creek Section 3 will be stocked with trout on Tuesday April 21st. We will meet the big white stocking truck loaded with angling fun in the lane across from the Sadsburyville Post Office at 11:30am. Come on out and spend a day fishing and giving something back to the resource.
The Big Elk Creek, Section 1, from the confluence with the East Branch & West Branch Elk Creek to T307 Camp Bonsall Road and the East Branch Big Elk, Section 2, from New London Township line to the Confluence with the West Branch Elk Creek, and the White Clay Creek, Middle Branch Section 2, will be stocked with trout on April 14. We will meet at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 896, we will be on 896 at 12pm. Help with the stocking has been really light and we can use the help. Please come out to assist us with the stocking. Thanks.
Lancaster County
On Tuesday April 7, the West Branch Octoraro Creek Section #4, Bowery Run and the Big Beaver Creek all received an in-season stocking of Rainbow and Brown Trout.
Significant sections of Big Beaver Creek were float stocked as per below:
FLOAT STOCKED SECTIONS OF APPROVED TROUT WATERS
|
ATW |
SECTION |
|
BIG BEAVER CREEK |
Downstream from 20 Main St., New Providence to 1930 Beaver Valley Pike Downstream from concrete bridge near Old Rd. & Beaver Valley Pike Downstream from Krantz Mill Road bridge Downstream from 92 Refton Road Downstream from Smithville Road bridge |
|
W. BRANCH OCTORARO CREEK – SECTION #4 |
Downstream from 700 Wesley Road |
Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of the fishing opportunities afforded them on Big Beaver Creek. With its headwaters located on property at 1190 May Post Office Road, Quarryville. Big Beaver Creek flows 10.6 miles before meeting the Pequea Creek approximately 500 yards upstream from the bridge at Herrville Road. The stocked portion of Big Beaver Creek traverses 5.34 miles with its Upper Limit at SR 222 (Beaver Valley Pike) and White Oak Road -and its lower limit at the mouth where it enters the Pequea Creek.
*Anglers are advised that the property at 15 Main Street, New Providence is posted, subsequently Big Beaver Creek was not stocked upstream of this location.
S. Montgomery County/Philadelphia County
The Stony Creek Anglers will host a trout tournament on the Stony Creek on April 25 from 8am to 4pm and April 26 from 7am to 4pm. Camping is not permitted during the tournament. The tournament will be held at the Norristown Farm Park & State Hospital grounds which you enter at gate 5 off of Stanbridge Street. For more information you can visit the website at StonyCreekAnglers.org
The SE Regional Trout Season is off to a great start. Anglers have been out in force with parking lots and side roads packed with eager anglers throughout southern Montgomery County. Come on out and enjoy the fun in Montgomery County. Check out the PFBC website for in-season stocking dates.
The fishing on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia at the Fairmount Dam/Water Works is still very slow. Anglers are still waiting on the Gizzard Shad and river herring to show up. American Shad are soon to follow/chase the baitfish below the Fairmount Dam/Fish Passageway. The “shorty” stripers should be arriving soon after the Gizzard Shad and herring in the tidal section of the Schuylkill River as well. Let’s Go Shad!
Northwestern Region
Clarion County
Piney Dam
Notice to all anglers & boaters recreating on Piney Dam. Beginning on April 1, 2015 thru October 31, 2016 Brookfield Power will draw down the level of Piney Dam to a level approximately 5 feet below normal pool to conduct repairs to the dam. These repairs will consist of the complete rebuild of the 14 discharge gates of the dam. The repairs to each gate will take approximately 6-8 weeks. Brookfield Power acknowledges the drawdown during this period will affect docks and recreation boating on Piney Dam. The drawdown may also affect the Toby & Mill Creek Boat Launches. Brookfield Power will be placing notices in the local newspapers to alert the public of the repairs and impacts to Piney Dam. They also will be placing signage at the Toby and Mill Creek boat launches to alert the boaters and anglers to the drawdown. Contact person at Brookfield Power for any questions is Randy Garletts. Phone number is (301) 387-6616.
Piney Creek DHALO Area
Anglers continue to do well in the project. Anglers are reminded only artificial lures maybe used in the project and the use or possession of bait is prohibited.
Pre-Season Trout Stockings
4/13 – East Sandy Creek (Clarion Co) and Bear & Silver Creeks (Butler Co) – Meet stocking truck 11:30 am Bruin Bowling Alley State Route 268 in Bruin.
4/14 – Mill Creek & Cather’s Run – Meet stocking truck 10:45 am Leeper Red & White store Int. of SR36 & 66.
4/15 – Toms Run – Meet stocking truck 11:30 am Cook Forest State Park SR 36 Cooksburg.
In-season Trout Stockings
4/22 – Mill & Canoe Creeks and Turkey Run – Meet stocking truck 10:45 am Int. of SR 36 & 66 at Leeper Red & White Store.
4/22 – Redbank Creek – Meet stocking truck 10:30 am Plyler’s Buffet & Family Restaurant SR 36 Brookville.
4/30 – Toms Run & Coon Creek – Meet stocking truck 11:30 am Cook Forest State Park SR 36 Cooksburg.
5/7 – Cathers Run & Mill Creek – Meet stocking truck 10:45 am Int. SR 36 & 66 Leeper Red & White Store.
5/13 – Redbank Creek – Meet stocking truck 10:30 am Plyler’s Buffet & Family Restaurant SR 36 Brookville.
5/14 – Bear, Silver Creeks & Beaver Creek – Meet stocking truck 10:45am Bruin bowling alley SR268 in Bruin.
5/20 – East Sandy, Piney and Leatherwood Creeks – Meet stocking truck 11:15 am Exit 64 I-80 at Rehobeth Church Road parking lot.
5/22 – Toms Run = Meet stocking truck at 12 pm Cook Forest State Park SR 36 Cooksburg.
Crawford County
French Creek
As of April 2, the Cochranton Bridge will be closed. You can still boat there but be aware of the construction.