Northwest Region
Crawford County
Area Trout Waters
All trout streams in Crawford County are being stocked in May. Trout fishing should be good all month.
Woodcock Lake
A few Walleye and Musky are being caught in Woodcock Lake and below the Dam in Woodcock Creek.
Western Erie County
PFBC Walnut Creek Access
The marina and the channel are being dredged at Walnut Creek Access. The docks for slip holders and the rest of the launch ramps will be in by this weekend. Walnut Creek Access has become a Life Jacket Loaner program host by the Sea Tow Foundation. There is a stand set up in the lobby for people who need to borrow a life jacket for someone to use when going out on the water. We have all sizes from Infants to Adults XL. The boaters seem to be doing real well on Walleye at night. I have heard lots of limits between the hours of 9 PM and 2 AM.
Eastern Erie County
Area Waters
Anglers are reporting some panfish being taken at Eaton Reservoir, Lake LeBoeuf, and Lake Pleasant. The bait of choice is grubs and minnows. Anglers out of the North East Marina are reporting Walleye in 51 feet of water from the marina to the New York state line. Smallmouth Bass are still being taken from the W’s to Shades Beach. Yellow Perch action has picked up in 35 to 55 feet of water off of the Greenfield, Shades Beach & Freeport. Angles are still catching Yellow Perch and Smallmouth Bass off of the North & South Piers. For current Lake Erie conditions call the North East Marina at 814-725-8244.
Forest County
Tionesta Dam Outflow
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is undergoing construction at the Tionesta Dam Outflow which restricts anglers from fishing from the tent camping area. Anglers can access the Outflow from the campground; however, unless they are camping they must park outside of the gate and walk in.
Cook Forest State Park
The Joe Kopena Memorial Children’s Fishing Derby will be held on May 31, 2015 at the Ross Run Children’s Area.
Tionesta Creek
Fly fishing anglers have been doing well on Tionesta Creek using caddis in the morning and evening hours.
Venango County
Allegheny River
Water temperature is ranging between 62-68 degrees Fahrenheit, depending upon time of day. Smallmouth Bass catch rates continue to be reported with the best success reported on tubes.
French Creek
Fishing activity continues to increase as weather and water conditions improve. From Utica through Franklin, anglers have begun reporting sporadic Smallmouth Bass and Walleye hook-ups. Given these favorable levels, canoeists and kayakers are again being seen along the length of this waterway.
Oil Creek
Smallmouth Bass are being reported between Rynd Farm and Oil City. The area from Rynd Farm upstream through Drake Well, including the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lure Only section(s), recently received its in-season trout stocking.
Kahle Lake
Solid Bluegill harvests are now being reported
Two Mile Run Reservoir (Justus Lake)
Bluegill and trout harvests are being reported.
REGISTRATION OF NON-POWERED WATERCRAFT REQUIRED AT PFBC LAKES/ACCESS AREAS:
With the 2015 boating season beginning, boaters are reminded that non-powered watercraft, which otherwise would not require registration, are required to display either current registration or a launch permit when launching or retrieving at all PFBC lakes and/or access areas. For a complete listing of regulations pertaining to PFBC properties, please refer to the following link: http://fishinpa.com/pfbcproperty.html.
AN ANGLER’S CODE OF ETHICS:
Many local landowners extend anglers the courtesy of recreational fishing opportunities. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission signage is routinely placed along stream sections open to public fishing. When in doubt, stay out. Ethical anglers DO NOT litter, camp, build fires, cut trees, block property, or operate any motorized vehicle or ATV on property of another without advanced permission of the landowner. These unlawful actions will, and do, get ground POSTED!
Northeast Region
Carbon County
Although most of the approved trout waters in the district have received the final in-season trout stockings for the year, most anglers have reported seeing and catching a good number of trout. Some area clubs and organizations have also stocked trout in the local streams for recent fishing contests.
Fishing pressure has been light to moderate on most area streams. Successful trout anglers have been using live bait, minnows, butter worms and spinners. Some streams have been flowing low and clear. Most anglers have been reporting better success catching trout in the early morning or early evening hours.
Anglers reported catching trout with some measuring from 20″ – 23″ on the Lehigh River near the Lehigh Gorge State Park, Lehighton and the Bowmanstown area. Local clubs have been stocking the Lehigh River in recent weeks.
Anglers fishing Mauch Chunk Lake have been reporting doing well catching bass (catch & release only), pickerel and some nice size bluegills. Crappie action has been slow. Beltzville Lake has been producing some bass action (catch & release only) including reports of some striped bass being caught near the Pine Run section of the lake. Since the warmer weather has arrived, the boating activity at Beltzville Lake has increased during the weekends. Boaters are reminded that Beltzville Lake has a designated Water Ski Zone and designated Slow No Wake areas. Maps of the lake are posted at both Pine Run and Preachers Camp boat launches which indicated the regulated zones. Boaters should consult the posted maps before venturing out onto the lake. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at both Beltzville Lake and Mauch Chunk Lake.
Boaters are encouraged to check all the required safety equipment on their boats such as wearable personal flotation devices, (required for each person onboard the boat and of the appropriate size including children 12 years of age or younger must wear on boats 20’ or less) type IV throw device (required on boats 16’ in length except canoes and kayaks), fire extinguisher (if required) and sound producing device. Boaters are also reminded to check that the motorboat (including boats propelled by an electric motor) have a current motorboat registration. Non-powered watercraft are required to display a valid PA Fish & Boat Commission or DCNR Launch permit to access PA State Park waters or PA Fish & Boat Commission lakes or access areas.
Monroe County
Anglers in the county have been out on the local streams targeting trout. The hot, sunny days have made catch rates light recently but anglers who beat the heat and start fishing first thing in the morning have been reporting good success. Anglers have been using many different types of bait but so far there has not been one go-to bait choice this year. Overall, anglers using spinners have seen the most consistent action this year.
Northcentral Region
Tioga County
Tioga, Hammond and Cowanesque Lakes
Anglers are catching Crappie and Bass on all three lakes. A few 2 lb Crappie have been caught at all three lakes. Many of the Crappie are between 9-12 inches. Live minnows and artificial lures are working best. Chartreuse, white, yellow, silver, purple, and orange colors are working well.
The majority of fish are being caught in less than 2-10 feet of water.
Anglers are also catching Yellow Perch using nightcrawlers and fathead minnows in 5-15 feet of water.
Many 5+lb Largemouth and 3-4lb Smallmouth Bass are being caught on all three lakes.
Hammond and Tioga Lakes
Anglers are catching Stripers and some Walleye. Most of the Stripers are 8-12 inches, but a few 8lb Stripers have also been caught. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, nightcrawlers and live shiners are working best around the dams. Some of the fish are being caught in front of the swimming area.
Cowanesque Lake
Anglers are catching quite a few good size bass. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and crankbaits are working best.
Insert photo: Joe Dancho caught a nice Largemouth Bass over the weekend. Congratulations, Joe!
Hamilton and Hill Creek Lake
Anglers are catching lots of Crappie. Evening and night fishing is producing great fishing for anglers using live minnows.
Fly anglers are also catching lots of panfish using poppers, wet flies, and streamers.
There are still lots of trout left. Anglers are catching trout using doughbaits and live minnows.
Centre County
Black Moshannon Lake
Yellow Perch and other panfish are hitting live minnows and nightcrawlers.
Foster Joseph Sayers Lake
Live minnows and twistertails under a bobber are helping anglers catch lots of Crappie. Best areas are near the causeway, Bald Eagle Launch, and the Hunter Run cut area.
Anglers are also catching Yellow Perch using live minnows, nightcrawlers, and some paste baits.
Penns Creek
Anglers are catching trout using small streamers in the morning. A variety of nymphs are working in the late morning and early-to-late afternoon. Caddis adult patterns are also working well in the evening.
Spring Creek
Walt’s worms, hair’s ear flashback, beadhead prince nymphs, caddis larvae, and zebra midge nymphs are working well. The Sulphur mayfly hatch is just getting started. A few anglers are catching trout using sulphur nymphs. A few caddis dry flies are also working.
Early morning and early-to-late evening seems to be the best time on the water.
Tussey Mountain Pond
Anglers are catching panfish using redwords, butter worms, and a variety of paste baits. Anglers are also catching bass using live minnows.
Clinton County
Fishing Creek
A few sulphur mayflies have been spotted. Lots of caddis adults have been seen in the mornings and in the evenings.
Anglers are catching trout on caddis larvae imitations, walt’s worms and adult caddis patterns. Early morning and late evening are the best times to be on the water!
Lycoming County
Pine Creek
Anglers are catching lots of trout! The march brown mayflies have been hatching all week. Anglers are catching trout using march brown patterns. There have also been clouds of caddis. Anglers are catching trout using caddis patterns; however, the most success has been on the march brown patterns.
Southeastern Region
Delaware County
Trout stocking has wrapped up in Delaware County. The fishing has been awesome and the fish have been equally as nice. We had some great stocking assistants to help with the trout, and the water warmed up enough to keep the fish active.
The Striped Bass runs are still active in the Delaware River. Three anglers in a boat were inspected recently, and they each had their limit. Great to see! Shoreline fishing has been slow behind the airport. Striped Bass are still moving up and down, but the numbers don’t seem to be what they were in previous years. Remember the new size limits for this year along the Delaware River. There is a 21-25 inch slot limit with a two (2) fish limit from April 1 to May 31. Read more about the changes here: http://fishandboat.com/news/2015pr/striper-changes.htm Tight lines!
Montgomery County
Stony Creek and Kepner Creek in the Norristown Farm Park are still holding plenty of trout. Skippack Creek is also still holding trout. Water temperatures are slowing rising with the water levels slowly declining. Montgomery County needs some good rain to raise water levels and help keep the water temperature down.
Fishing on the Schuylkill River around the Art Museum/Fairmount Dam is heating up with arrival of the Hickory Shad and Herring. As of the writing of this report, the American Shad are just beginning to show up at the fish ladder. Remember that Hickory Shad and River Herring have a CLOSED Season. Do not be in possession of River Herring when fishing on the Schuylkill River and/or Delaware River.
Striped Bass are also back and have new regulations for 2015. Between April 1 and May 31, the slot limit is 21-25 inches; therefore, any Striped Bass less than 21 inches and /or over 25 inches must be released unharmed. The creel limit is set at (2) stripers per day. From June 1 through December 31, the minimum size is 28 inches and the creel limit is one (1). The full regulations for seasons, sizes and creel limits on the Delaware River and across PA can be found here: http://www.fishinpa.com/